Golden Triangle
According to Wikipedia:
“One of Asia’s two main opium-producing areas. It is an area of approximately 950,000 square kilometres (367,000 sq mi) that overlaps the mountains of three countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.”
I only got to know about this place after joining the Workaway
It all started when I was trying and wish to stay longer in Luang Prabang, however it seems in Laos they did not need any volunteer like me. 🙁
I have texted many organizations in Laos, however, the response was slow and some even ignored me. Hence, I started to find the workaway in Northern Thailand instead. Surprisingly, many hosts responded to me just within a few hours! After confirmed with one of the hosts in Thailand, I just booked the slow boat from Laos to Thailand and to Chiang Rai.
I took a public bus from Chiang Rai heading to Chiang Saen (which is near to Golden Triangle). From there, I took a tuk tuk to Golden Triangle and met my Thailand host.
Everything seems went smoothly. I arrived at Golden Triangle and was greeted by the family and their two pets.
I managed to stay here for 2.5 weeks for homeschooling.The people here were so nice and friendly. All of them know each other and helping each other in the area. Most of them are doing travel businesses because Golden Triangle is well known for the tourist spot.
What to see here?
Below were the things I have done :
- Golden Triangle viewpoint
- Take a boat to Laos (just across the river)
- Try out Mekong pizza – apparently, it’s famous here
- Visit many temples
- Enjoy Coconut drinks
- Buy and Grab some Roti
- Visit Old Opium Museum
- Visit Hall of Opium Golden Triangle – this exceptional museum ranks as one of the best in the region.
- Every Tuesday night, there is a small night market
- Visit the border of Myanmar – 500 Baht visa fee to enter into Myanmar
What else?
- Play together with the kids
- Eat together with the family
- Exercise and cook together with my host
- Ride a motorbike together with the kids
- And the family took me to the church and temples visit
- Got to know more local people
- Walk around in Chiang Saen
I do miss the people over there even I have back from the trip. The people over there are living life simple and happy easy going. If there is any chance in the near future, I would definitely go back and visit them again.
What’s good about workaway? >> Get to know more new friends
Met up with another volunteer who is currently based in Malaysia. He was the one who stayed at Golden Triangle for about 3-4months just to do homeschooling and teaching English to the local kids.
And one of my friends, she is currently at my previous host place for voluntary service now. Nice people are everywhere indeed. If you like kids and would love to play with them, please let me know. I will try to refer you to meet this nice family 🙂
It feels like I have another family in Thailand now. Looking forward to meeting all of them again!
Upcoming Post- Journey continues to Chiang Mai, Thailand …
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