Reviewed 07 May 2008 by Katharina Schneider
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Many things.... Just to listen to Jimmy and Lamai, who told us so much about Thai culture and life in Thailand. To see the village and how people live in rural Thailand, to see silk worms in various states, to try our hand at silk scarf weaving, the old Khmer temples, which look like Angkor Wat, Lamai's cooking :-), sitting in the beautiful garden, the alternative feel of it all - we liked everything.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Basically you don't need anything in specific. The Guesthouse is organised perfectly and Lamai and Jimmy will try to solve any possible problem you might have. You can just go there and totally relax and enjoy. If you go by train, try to book early. By the way, we did not need any books, because we always went to sleep early due to the heat. However, there are books available in your room.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, some women from the village help in the homestay, so they earn some money. Jimmy and Lamai also give you the opportunity to buy silk scarves, which are made by village women. Also the school benefits, because you can donate some money. (You are really just given the opportunity to do these things, no-one tries to talk you into it or even asks about it). The maximum amount of people is 6, so there is no way tourists can take over the village. I guess if you do the rural tour, your impact would be oven lower, because we spend quite some time in a car, but that is hard to prevent if you are in a remote area. So if you find tourism acceptable at all, then this definately is low impact.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent!!! We learned heaps and liked our hosts very much!!! One of our most interesting vacations, so we will go back. Thank you!!
Reviewed 16 Dec 2007 by Birthe Knudsen
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I so enjoyed my stay and loved it was so well organized and I like the idea that you are supporting the village. The food was delicious, the tours great and Jimmy and Lamais knowledge were enormous. I loved visiting the village, say hello and see how they live and manage there life. The silk village and market were great adventure. I thank Jimmy, Lamai, Lizzy, James Bond and Panda for a very memorable vacation. I forgot the visit to preschool whish was great fun.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
That it’s so well organized and the tours are great value as the stay and sitting in the paradise of a garden is very relaxing. So if you want to relax, learn about the village life, see some of the highlights of Isan and wants to learn about everyday life of Thai people in a ricevillage this is just number one and I do understand that this homestay won the prize.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I am sure that the village, school and so on benefited from my stay and I love so much that the village and their people and destroyed of the tourist. I did not feel that I intruded their life.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Paradise on earth and my best vacation ever.
Reviewed 20 Jan 2007 by Ray Alston
We were in general very happy with the vacation and will mention just a few highs and lows:
The journey - outward with a VIP bus - excellent. Inward with an ordinary aircon bus - awful and slow - to be avoided at all costs. Communication with the owner, Jimmy, was very good, but note that Nakhord Ratchasima is often also referred mysteriously as Khorat.
The cultural tour to the Khmer sites was well conducted and very worthwhile from every point of view. However, they involve quite long car journeys and Jimmy's vehicle is not very comfortable for all except one passenger. I was quite happy to sprawl in the large rear of the van (air con), but it might not suit everyone.
Finally, the sleeping arrangements are not standard - sheets are replaced with those Thai silk covers which are not ideal and the bed does creak (in their best room). Also I would advise bringing plenty of reading material as there is no TV nor anything else to do at night. The food was plentiful and well cooked by Jimmy's wife Lamai.
Read the operator's response here:
I would like to point out that Khorat is an internationally recognised alternative name for Nakhon Ratchasima and appears in all guidebooks to Thailand.
Thank you for the positive comments on the tour to the Khmer sites. We accept that the journeys are quite long and will add information on distances to our website to assist future clients. The vehicle is an Isuzu D-max LS 7-seater Estate Car, voted Car of the Year in Thailand for the last 3 years. It is a 4 wheel-drive off-road vehicle which is necessary in rural Isan.
There is satellite TV and a DVD player (with a range of English language DVDs) in the communal lounge which guests are invited to use in the evenings. We appreciate the positive comments on the food.
Reviewed 24 Aug 2006 by Joei Lau
Thanks for offering such great information, we just came back from our nice journey at this homestay last week.
The hosts, English and Thai mixed family, offered extremely flexible and warm hospitality during our 4-day stay. From their handmade dishes to their professional guide, they made our vacation so memorable and relaxing. It was more than a journey. Both I, my husband and my 7 years old son are highly satisfied. Furthermore, the room is clean and neat, the environment was quiet and safe. We would like to recommend and will DEFINITELY visit them again in a not so far future.
Reviewed for five stars!
