Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Sida - Walking in Kopet
This module begins in Sida, 4 hours to the east of Bangkok. Your bus will arrive around 1pm, and you will be met by your host who will take you to Kopet (approx. 20 minutes). Kopet has only 800 inhabitants and you will be staying in a typical house on the edge of the village. Your English-speaking hostess will take you on a guided walk of the area.
The walk will also take you to the village temple, the local school and the Tree Garden, which is bursting with silkworms. You will be invited to take a look inside the house, where the silk is woven by a group of old women (in curlers). This work supplements their income through the dry season. Your hostess will act as interpreter and answer any questions you may have. It really is a fascinating glimpse into local life.

After the walk, you can enjoy the sunset from your veranda. The evening meal provided is traditionally Isaan and if you would like to be involved in the preparation you are welcome to give a helping hand. You will find your hostess, her mother and her sisters in the headily aromatic kitchen. After you have eaten with your family you will be invited to join any events that may be happening in the village. If you're lucky, you might get to go frog-hunting with the locals!

Day 2

Kopet, School Visit, and the Ruins of Phimai
You will start your day with breakfast on the veranda while the sun rises over the lake. After this, you will take a walk back to the school. Officially, there are 127 schoolchildren, but in practice there are far fewer. When the school inspector visits, the children from all surrounding areas are assembled so that the school receives its grant. It is a great honour for the school to have foreign visitors and you will be asked to sign the visitors' book. The inspectors will go through the visitors' book and will consider a visit by a foreigner as confirmation that the school has been kept in good order. Feel free to look in the classrooms and ask the children about their lessons. School visits are only on Monday-Friday and the school is closed from March up to and including May, in October and on National holidays.
From the school, Jim, your host, will take you to the ruined city of Phimai, approximately an hour away. Jim has a vast knowledge of the area and temples and will happily guide you through the enchanting ruins. Alternatively, you are very welcome to make your own way around the site and meet up with him afterwards.
During the Khmer period, Phimai was on the direct route to Angkor in Cambodia - the grand capital of the Khmer kingdom. The Khmer built their holy places in a very different style to that of the Thai ancestry. Khmer temples are dedicated to the Hindu gods and originated as early as the 9th century, long before Buddhism was introduced to Thailand.

The Hindu temples of the Khmer kingdom symbolise the Holy Mountain with their high towers. Later, Buddhist elements were added to the temples and sculptures, which still bear the ‘animal' influence from centuries ago. The air is heavy with history, making Phimai a remarkably magical place to visit.

Day 3

Kopet - Departure from host family
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. This is sometimes a slow process as half of the village will come out to send you on your way. It is an old Isaan tradition to tie a ribbon to your wrist for good luck, so you can expect to begin the next stage of your journey with an arm full of ribbons.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Transport, accommodation with breakfast, 2 x dinners and an excursion with an English-speaking guide.

Exclusions -

Travel to Sida. Drinks and other meals, excursions and entrance fees not listed in the daily itinerary.