January 14, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
Caylee Reid
R
ide elephants through the rainforest, explore Buddhist temples, scale limestone cliffs jutting out of emerald waters and swim in bowls of sour, sweet and spicy Thai food. Thailand, also known as the Land of Smiles, almost glitters with enchantment. Let MCCS Tours+ take you there: sign up by January 20 for their nine-day, eightnight vacation from March 1 to 9. The tour begins in bustling Bangkok. On March 2, visit the famous Damnern Saduak Floating Market. At this 100-year-old market, float on the river between boat “shops” while purchasing handcrafted goods, souvenirs and fresh fruit, or simply sit back and take in the Thailand tradition. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing lunch at the picturesque Rose Garden, and then watch a colorful Thai village show.
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Continue the next day in Bangkok with the City and Temples Tour. Among the dazzling wats (or temples) to explore is Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. At 150-feet long, Wat Pho holds the world’s largest reclining Buddha. If there is time, work out all your kinks with an hour-long traditional Thai massage from Wat Pho’s medicinal school for around $13. At the end of the day, fly out to Thailand’s northern hills of Chiang Mai. Near Chiang Mai, visit an elephant camp in Maetang, and see how elephants were used for lumber work and other skills. Then stroll through the rainforest on an elephant’s back to Lisu hilltribe village. Take a short ride on an oxcart formerly used to transport garden produce. After lunch, cruise down the river on a bamboo raft before returning to the hotel.
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On March 5, explore Chaing Rai’s stunning and modern White Temple, peer across the river at Myanmar and Laos at the Golden Triangle and visit a Karen Long Neck Village to learn about traditional hill tribe culture. End your last couple days in Thailand in Phuket. Spend a day exploring multiple islands or join in on the MCCS optional tour to Phi Phi Island. Here, stunning limestone cliffs sit like jewels, and longtail boats zip in and out of a sea that changes color from emerald to sapphire. Soak in the last few rays of sunshine, and then on March 9 return to Okinawa, satiated by your spicy Thailand adventure. For more information about this trip, please contact Tours+ at 646-3502 or stop by your local Tours+ office. —Caylee Reid
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