This is our biggest trip as a family so far.

Why did we choose Thailand?

Well. Many different reason, but mainly for our kids. We have noticed during our stay in Portugal that weather is a very important factor to our kids health. Sun exposure and being outside, contributed to their recovery highly. We have decided to go some place hot and sunny, with good fruit supply. Also living with small kids in hot climate is much easier. There are many other small reasons too.

During the research we came across organization in Thailand, that was seeking volunteers for their project. They were very happy to welcome us as a family, so we made a decision right away of going to Thailand for at least 3 months and possibly longer.

Polish citizens can come to Thailand for 30 days without a visa. But for longer visits we need to apply for it. It’s pretty much the same for most countries. Our hosts helped us with paper work and we easily received visas and work permits.

We bought plane tickets only one way. Just not knowing when and where will we go next. We are totally leaving things spontaneous, focusing on health rather then anything else.

So here we are. This country is so awesome yet so simple and rather poor. At least in the area we are currently living in. But what strikes the most is calmness and happiness of local people. They are really friendly, smiling a lot but also have so much respect towards each other.

For example they are walking their bike to the road and start the engine far from houses, not to disturb people in their sleep, when night time is approaching. All motorbikes and cars are riding slower and very quietly between buildings especially at night.

Strange and weird things for us so far:

• most cats have their tails cut short or no tail at all (did not find out why yet, but it’s done when they are little)
• dogs here are usually of orange color and look a bit like foxes, we don’t trust them, because we have been attacked few times by dogs in the area, they seem to be very alert for strangers.
• behind houses there is a sort of gutter, where all the water from the sinks and showers goes, but not the one from the toilet.
• Everybody here eats out – there are many local people who cook and sell it on the street at very low prices. It is rather cheaper to eat like that then to cook for yourself. But if you are vegan – there is no way of doing that. All food is being prepared based on meat broths and meat. Food is also very spicy.
• the moon slims down not sideways, but from the top to the bottom, like it triped sideways.
• everytnig here is packed in plastic bags, presented with a rubber band the way it is like a blown balloon. But they do not blow it – it is just the way they close it. Actually very easy.

There are very different prices for the same thing, depending where you buy. Most expensive is main street. Just behind the corner the same item can 10-20 % less. The cheapest place to buy (food, clothes, things for the house, toys etc) is weekly market. There is sort of like popular price for things. 20 baht is common price for a portion of food, bunch of some veggies etc.

Prices are really low for food, depending where you buy it. Local foods are really cheap – papaya, coconuts, mango and small bananas are growing here on every corner and they come very cheap. Medium sized papaya, 1 kg, costs 15-20 baht (half dollar). On the market 10 baht. The only expensive fruit are grapes – don’t know why. But 1kg costs about 140-160 baht, which is as much as 10 kg of papaya!!!! Only Maya eats grapes, she really likes it, but I do buy them occasionally. Not worth it in my opinion.

Papayas and mangos are really amazing. Kids couldn’t get enough of coconuts during first weeks – they shared 4-5 per day. They would even eat much more if we let them. But any fruit here is really good. Organic without organic label. Freshly picked, usually ripe, very sweet, with few exceptions from time to time.

In my next blog I will create a list of good local fruit with pictures, tips and pricing.