Shopping / Security and smart homes

Mon-Fri 12.30-3.30 pm, 6-10 pm
Sat-Sun 12.30-10 pm

Daily 12pm-11.30pm

 Ingredients

• 200g sashimi-grade tuna
• 5g black pepper
• 50g artichokes
• 10g black olives
• 60g steak tomatoes
• 5g spring onion
• 10g rocket salad 
• 10g onion
• 2 tsp olive oil, balsamic dressing and lemon juice

Method
Brush the fish with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
To grill the tuna, heat a charcoal or stove top cast iron grill to maximum and grill each side for approximately two minutes.
The centre should be raw, like sushi or the tuna will be tough and dry.
Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes and serve.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Gently toss in artichokes, olives, tomato and onion to combine.
Serve the tuna on a bed of salad and garnish with spring onion and rocket salad.

When travel conversations centre in on the north of Thailand, cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai invariably get the brunt of the attention. And sure enough, they both offer a plethora of cultural, culinary and shopping pursuits, not to mention stunning backdrops against misty mountains, mighty rivers and rolling hills.

But what of a place that has all of that yet without hordes of tourists?

Welcome to Lampang. Humans have settled in this part of Thailand for millennia and the area is rich in remnants from the many civilisations that have called it home. Mon, Lanna-era and Burmese-inspired temples are found on both banks of the river. Majestic teak mansions lining the old town, and the streets in the quiet residential area on the northern bank of the Wang River, stand in silent testimony to the city’s rich past as one of the centres of Thailand’s lucrative teak trade.

We meet at Silk Restaurant at Andara Resort. I arrive early but mistake the precise venue. Rose is serene, unflustered by the delay. Beautiful, elegantly but simply dressed, glowing with health, I recall her resume: “Just turned 40… my heart still feels 24”. What’s more, she looks 24.

Perhaps it’s a question of attitude for Rose is passionate about many things – indeed, ‘heart’, ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘passion’ are three of her favourite epithets. As the “proud mother of two wonderful girls” they represent her most passionate project. Now aged nine and eleven, they attend Kajonkiet International School, where they are already showing exceptional prowess as swimmers. By choosing KISP with its emphasis on Thai culture, she believes her girls will continue to be proud of their national heritage.

As a Thai parent she is convinced of the importance of good manners and respect for others. Nonetheless, Rose would like them to spend time at a university in England or America (as indeed she did in Seattle at the tender age of 16), both to broaden their horizons and to hone their English. Still, that ‘project’ is some way away...

Her enduring love for Phuket is another example of Rose’s passion: after all, the island was where she spent many vacations before deciding to call it home. Describing it as “this beautiful island”, she declares that she “loves to be in a place that surrounds me with inspiration,” adding that she and her family “would never dream of leaving it.” Praise indeed...
Married to a British gentleman, she lives with her family in a modern home she planned in close harmony with the architect. Set on a spectacular rocky promontory, it provides her with amenities key to her well-being: a sense of privacy, close contact with the natural environment and an idyllic location in which to bring up her daughters. It is, moreover, “perfect…for living and entertaining friends.”

Rolling on the river

The abundance of nature in Kuraburi is outstanding, and perhaps none more beautiful than the crystal waters of the Nang Yon River – the perfect setting for Tarn Morakot Rafting, an exciting new business that promotes excellent eco-tourism trips while at the same time benefitting the community.

Tarn Morakot Rafting is sustainable tourism at its best and the 20 dedicated bamboo rafts have been made by local community members and artisans. The bamboo rafting company ensures that tourism remains community-based by only employing locals and offering career advancement in the form of on-site job training, all the while educating locals, visitors and tourists about green initiatives and corporate social responsibility.

Tarn Morakot Rafting offers the unique opportunity to spend a day in the splendid nature of this region in the form of bamboo rafting down a long and winding lazy river that is crisp and clean, but more importantly shallow and calm.

A day spent at Tarn Morakot Rafting is fun for everyone and is suitable for all ages. Families and groups of friends will enjoy the hands-on outdoor activities, spending the day rafting and swimming while taking photographs and endless selfies. Solo travellers are also welcome as the friendly staff members are just as happy to punt a single traveller down the river on a raft.

Although Tarn Morakot Rafting is a relatively new business, the company founders are well known in the community. A group of four professionals as well as longtime friends, the company founders are no strangers to hospitality and tourism. Their collective goal was to start a company showcasing the natural beauty of Kuraburi and they’ve certainly succeeded.

Tarn Morakot’s Rafting location along the river is stunning, flanked by verdant trees and vegetation. It should be noted that the rafting grounds and the river are immaculately clean, no doubt a labour of love by the rafting staff. The water is inviting, and although a bit cool, so very refreshing.

An exceptional, affordable day out in the sunshine floating on the Nang Yon River is what can be expected from Tarn Morakot Rafting. The entire bamboo rafting trip takes just over an hour and for the safety of the guests life jackets are provided