6 minute read
FAMILY TRAVEL: All in the Family
by Ensemble
By Lois Alter Mark
How to celebrate a milestone birthday? For one writer, the answer was easy: A multigenerational trip to Thailand, volunteering to work with elephants and a healthy dose of pampering.
My husband, Michael, and I have always encouraged our son and daughter to choose experiences over things. When they were toddlers, we introduced them to travel, starting with annual trips to Disney World, cruising through Europe as they got old enough to appreciate its culture and history, and eventually exploring places like Russia and Dubai.
So, when my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate my 60th birthday, the answer was easy. I told him my wish was to take a trip with the whole family, including the kids’ partners (now spouses). But what would a boomer/millennial vacation look like?
Volunteering at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand had been at the top of my bucket list since I cried through Love & Bananas, a documentary about the abuse suffered by elephants forced to perform. The film follows Lek Chailert, who founded Elephant Nature Park to provide a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures. I knew I had to support her efforts in some way, and I wanted to do it in person.
A FAMILY OF RESCUED ELEPHANTS LIVING AT THE SANCTUARY
© SAVE ELEPHANT FOUNDATION
I also understood that, while this was my idea of vacation bliss, it might not be anyone else’s. To make this once-in-a-lifetime trip appeal to all, it also needed a little luxury along with the down and dirty. My family was excited about the idea. I let them plan the whole thing themselves. This way, everyone would have a say and be invested in the trip.
Since we were all coming from different parts of the country, we decided to meet at Le Méridien Chiang Mai, where Michael and I would spend a couple of nights before everyone else joined us and we headed to Elephant Nature Park. At the hotel, we were greeted with happy birthday rose petals on our bed and sweets in our upgraded suite. It was a lovely introduction to the warmth we would experience over and over again from the people of Thailand.
On Christmas Eve morning, the six of us got picked up by the Elephant Nature Park van for the scenic drive up to the sanctuary. As soon as we spotted the first elephant happily taking a stroll, I knew we had made the right decision to come here. We spent the next three days meeting the elephants, preparing their food, feeding them and helping to clean their shelters. We watched in awe as they went about their day, with moms guiding babies and friends affectionately entwining their trunks. As the matriarch of my own family, I felt such a sense of pride watching my own little herd laugh together while they stacked watermelons and carried buckets of water and shared stories over Thai massages.
FINDING JOY IN FEEDING THE ELEPHANT AT THE SANCTUARY
Watching the elephants never got old. Their body language was fascinating and their concern for each other was heartwarming. One of the funniest moments occurred when we were posing for a photo with Lek. As soon as I put my arm around her, one of the elephants pushed it right off and tried to get her away from me. It was such an obvious sign of how much the animals love and want to protect her, and, although we found it hilarious at the time, we often talk about how moving it was. My family is now all fierce protectors of elephants.
After the rustic accommodations of the Elephant Nature Park and a four-hour flight, we were delighted to check into the luxurious Belmond Napasai in Koh Samui. It was so luxurious that we couldn’t stop grinning. Each couple had their own villa within our private family compound, complete with an oceanfront pool and a gorgeous communal living room space for hanging out together.
THE LUXURIOUS BELMOND NAPASAI IN KOH SAMUI
© BELMOND
We spent four magnificent days enjoying the stunning scenery, the equally stunning resort and each other. We took a boat ride out to a private beach for lunch, stopping along the way to swim and snorkel – two things I would normally pass on. But if you can’t get over yourself in a bathing suit by the age of 60, you’re wasting your precious life. I jumped in and floated on the beautiful blue water next to my husband, listening to the chatter of the kids, and just feeling free and present. It may have been the greatest gift of all.
FAMILY BOAT RIDE OUT OF A PRIVATE BEACH
© LOIS ALTER MARK
On our last night in Koh Samui, my family surprised me with a birthday feast prepared by the resort’s chef and served in our own private dining room. Platters of spring rolls, curries and stir fries were passed around. The lavish dinner was topped off with a smorgasbord of coconut-infused sweets. Everything was fresh and popping with flavour.
What a very special evening it was – one filled with great conversation, laughter and gratitude. – my husband’s new obsession. We bought local artwork at the night market and got to fulfill another of my bucket list items – ushering in the new year at the Lantern Festival, where teamwork was the key to sending our paper lanterns into the sky without setting them on fire. We talked about our hopes for the year ahead and, as I let go of my own lantern, I silently vowed to create more family moments like these.
LANTERN FESTIVAL IN CHIANG MAI
After the kids left on New Year’s Day, Michael and I spent a night at Four Seasons Chiang Mai in one of the private residences. In a perfect world, this is where we’d live. It felt lush and spiritual – the perfect spot to decompress.
We relived our trip, marvelling at the fact that no one had argued or complained. Although we had gotten to experience many big moments, we realized the real highlights were the small ones – watching the kids and their partners all bond together and seeing everyone gain self confidence as we stepped outside our comfort zones.
Travelling to new places and trying new things cemented our connections in deep, intimate ways and gave us memories that, like the elephants, we’ll never forget. We all agree we don’t want our Thailand trip to be literally a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We want to make it a regular occurrence. I can’t wait for our next adventure together.
