Ryan Farley

Yin and Yang in the Wrong Country: Visiting Thailand’s White Temple and Black House

In all likelihood, travelers coming from the “western world” don’t have to spend much time in Asia to realize that most of their preconceived notions and perceived stereotypes are pretty far off from the reality of this side of the globe. Every once and a while, however, a piece of the local culture fits perfectly in to our overly generalized idea of a country’s ethos.

Sleeping With the Elephants: an Unforgettable Camping Trip in Thailand

The decision to attempt a camping trip grew out of a conversation with another English teacher working in a rural town, looking to get some space from the extended family vibe of our communities. There are several national parks within the country’s borders, but Khao Yai (which translates to “Mountain(s) Big”) is by far the biggest.

A Whale of a Time: Going on a Visa Run in Thailand

If you were to ask a hundred random westerners that had never been to southeast Asia, what a “visa run” is, you’d probably get a weird mixture of “charity 5k run?” and “competitive shopping?” responses. Ask the same question to just about anyone who has been to that unique and beautiful part of the world, and you’ll likely get nothing but glazed over eyes and some nervous twitches in response.

Thailand’s Military Coup: A Cocktail Party Anecdote

Those who travel internationally by choice and for pleasure are all looking for variations of the same thing: new and foreign experiences that will, in some way or another, take them out of their daily routine.

Koh Mak, Thailand: One of a Thousand Islands

They say that it’s harder to choose which island to visit than it is for a new one to peek its white sandy beaches above the surf of the crystal clear waters. Lucky for me…

Thailand: Where Teachers Aren’t Just Appreciated, They’re Revered

When you think about the most respected careers in your home country, what are they? Soldiers, doctors, nurses, firefighters? If you ask any local in Thailand, one of the first answers you’ll hear is “teacher.”