Sunday, February 23, 2014

Travel Photo of the Week: Mountain View College

Mountain View College

Traveling with Kimi to the Philippines

It was still 5 0’clock in the morning, but I’m fully awake already, making my final preparations for my trip to the Philippines. The cool February Thailand breeze was still inviting me to cuddle on my bed, but I resisted as this is the day that I was waiting for-the first day of my trip to the Philippines.

I’ve been teaching in the beautiful country of Thailand for 4 years, but as we all know, everything has an end. My time to depart my second home has arrived. I’ll be going home and traveling with me is my 1 year and 6 months old tea cup shih tzu named after the fastest F1 driver on the planet, Kimi Raikkonen.

I walked my tea cup shih tzu around my apartment that early, chilly Monday dawn-to empty his urinary bladder and colon-for the long trip that day.

It was a stressful planning and preparation that preceded this event. Bringing a dog to another country is not a walk in the park. There are tons of things to be considered-transportation, papers, health, convenience, and cost. All were in my head months before this journey. It was my first time to travel with a dog.

The owner of the apartment where I was staying in that beautiful riverside municipality of Muang, Ratchaburi took me to the train station that early Monday morning, February 10, 2014. I opted to take the train as dogs aren’t allowed to be in the public vans and buses going to Bangkok, taxis in this part of Thailand are non-existent, and renting a vehicle from Muang, Ratchaburi all the way to Bangkok is costly. The distance is 200 km.

Thais are very hospitable people. They’re very good and very kind. Upon informing them of my plans, they offered to take me to the station with their Mitsubishi Pajero. With 2 heavy backpacks and a crate with a dog, I definitely needed it.
State Railway of Thailand

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Travel Photo of the Week: North Harbor

North Harbor

How to Travel with your Dog from Thailand to the Philippines

by Regin Reyno

Owning a dog requires great responsibility. They deserve our utmost love and care. Like humans, they too have emotions and are great at reading their owner’s emotions. They’re one of the loveliest creatures created by God.

As a traveler, one of the most difficult parts of my travels is leaving my dog either at home or at a pet hotel. Seeing him having that look as I leave crushes my heart. So when I decided to go to the Philippines, I brought my dog with me.
My teacup shih tzu arriving in Manila International Airport