Mar
01

Our local expert: Amy in Chiang Mai

March 01, 2016
Urban Adventures

For International Women’s Day on March 8th, we’re talking travel to some of our female guides around the world. Today we head to Chiang Mai, to talk to our local expert, Amy. 

What is your best travel memory?

It’s definitely travelling in my own country of Thailand. which I can have both with family and the group of nicest people I ever met on tour! The best travel memory is meeting nice people as a reward to my life!

Why did you start working in travel?

When I was a child, I never got to travel as much as other people because of our family status. But completing my tourism studies has opened my eyes to the world. I have seen so many beautiful places and have met many different people and learned from them. To me, travel is a big, open door!

What is your favourite part about working with Urban Adventures?

I have three! My first is teamwork. I’m very proud of our global team and that they’re all very friendly, family, and working together. I’m learning a lot from our team — they care when I ask questions and always offer great support. Secondly, it’s great that through our separate Instagrams, even while I’m here in Chiang Mai, I can see what other Urban Adventures friends are doing around the world. Thirdly, I like our slogan of #localsknow and focusing on real insider experiences, not just where the tourists go. We care about our passengers having their Best. Day. Ever., which is one of the things I like the most.

If you could live and work in any other city, where would it be and why?

I would choose Bangkok. It’s my hometown and my mother still lives there. Bangkok is amazing city (if we could just remove the traffic) with a variety of cultures, activities, shopping, food and drinks, and wonderful neighbours!

If you had to give a visitor one tip about your city, what would it be?

I’d remind people about their shoes. You should take off your shoes before entering any temple hall, and if you’ve been invited into a local home, you should remove your shoes before you enter — it’s a way to show your respect to the host and local traditions.

 

Where in the world would you go to:

Get cultured? I would go to India, as it’s home to Buddhism, with a lot of culture and long history.

Escape? The Arctic to see the Aurora Borealis.

Eat amazing food? For me, Thailand is the best place for food lovers! We enjoy eating all day from food vendors: salads, soups, noodles, deep fried treats, barbecued meats, ice cream, sticky rice, rice congee, beer and rice whisky, burgers, kebabs, pizza, sushi — everything is here!

See some wildlife: Kaoyai National Park in Thailand, to see the wild elephants and hornbills.

Get some sun? Koh Lanta, Krabi, or Phuket (all in Thailand) for the most beautiful sunsets!

Enjoy the great outdoors? In Thailand, I’d say Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, or abroad to the beaches of Perth, Australia.