CHRISTMAS: TIS’ THE SEASON FOR FESTIVITIES OF GIVING
Christmas time for me always evokes childhood memories of cosy family time, where my Dad would cook an Indian style Christmas dinner, we’d have extended family around, watch Christmas movies together (including the Christmas special of Eastenders and Corrie) and open our very modest presents, which we treasured like well earnt medals. This was a time when Christmas wasn’t commercial and the world hadn’t gone Christmas consumer crazy and where the focus was all about the family and spending special time together.
‘ To celebrate the heart of Christmas is to forget ourselves
in the service of others’.
Henry C. Link
Over the past few years, Dr C and I have opted to spend Christmas abroad aiming to give something back to the wider global community in terms of raising awareness of animal exploitation from the tourist industry, supporting social and educational projects, working with community incentives to provide self-sufficient environments for remote villages and promoting sustainable tourist blueprints. You can read all about some of these in my post about six things that have had an impact on my travel.
The Roscina Favela we visited in Rio de Janeiro
This year we will be spending Christmas in the small town of Hua Hin, located a two hour drive from Bangkok. As well as getting in a few days of R&R, our main goal will be to help out and learn about the sustainability and conservation projects undertaken by the Evason Six Senses Hua Hin.
Photo Courtesy: Evason Six Senses Spa & Resort, Hua Hin
The Evason is actually a six senses spa resort, which plays a big part in combining sustainability with the hospitality industry. The Evason holds policies including; after use reduction, waste management, energy use minimalisation, sustainable purchasing programs and carbon emission reduction at the core of its vision.
Photo Courtesy: Evason Six Senses Spa & Resort, Hua Hin
The resort combines organic gardening using permaculture principals and an on site recycling programme. Apart from batteries and electronic waste everything else is appropriately disposed or recycled. Aluminium cans are used to grow different organic vegetables and animals are reared on wet waste from the kitchens. The Evason’s ethos has led to a minute amount of waste ending up in the municipal landfill and the resort has served as an educational hub to train the local community.
Photo Courtesy: Evason Six Senses Spa & Resort, Hua Hin.
The Evason is also very passionate about its social responsibility and I’ll be involved with visiting children from a hill tribe orphanage who have received schooling and taught how to grow vegetables, fruit and raise hens for eggs. With the help of The Evason they have now managed to build sustainable farm producing eggs with a vegetable plantation.
Instead of buying presents for each other Dr C and I have decided to purchase writing materials, colouring books and pencils for the children to draw and decorate their classrooms with artwork.
Photo Courtesy: Evason Six Senses Spa & Resort, Hua Hin
There are many sustainability activities that we will be undertaking during our ten day Christmas break and hopefully I’ll be able to tell you all about it in a post I plan to write in January.
The trip wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t incorporate my love for animal welfare and conservation. On Christmas day Dr C and I will spend the day at Hutsadin. Most of you know that I have a huge love for elephants and in the past, volunteered at an Orphangae in Sri Lanka.
Asian elephants in Sri Lanka where I volunteered
Well this Christmas Dr C and I will be completing some Mahout training and having one on one time with a group of elephants. Hutsadin is a non profit organisation who have managed to rescue six elephants from logging, rides, shows and general ill treatment. Their aim is to allow the elephants to live a free and painless life. Thailand unfortunately is still a country where in 2018, these beautiful creatures are still exploited for the tourist industry.
Photo Courtsey: Hutsadin Elephant Foundation, Hua Hin
During my time at Hutsadin, I hope to immerse myself into what it entails to gain the trust of these gentle giants and highlight the importance of carefully sourcing experiences involving animals.
Christmas 2018, will be a truly magical one. In the spirit of Christmas, Its definitely going to be the season for giving! I am so excited ad grateful that I have the opportunity to help make a small difference in the travel community, for our future generations to enjoy.
So guys, thanks for reading and do let me know below what the festive season means to you and how you intend to spend it.
Merry Christmas one and all
À Bientôt…
PIN FOR LATER
Claire Studd
Sounds amazing! I love the sustainable principles of the resort. So important to try to make a difference!
Bejal
Claire StuddThankyou Claire, I cannot wait. Yes as a travel blogger I felt it was imperative that I scope out somewhere that can make such a difference from tourism ans support the community in such a positive way.
Mostlyfoodandtravel
This sounds like so much fun and such a great cause. When you can it’s always nice to give back for sure. I can’t wait to see more photos and hear all about the experiences.
Bejal
MostlyfoodandtravelThanks Neha. I’ve prepared myself for some very sad moments but on the whole I am looking forward to making a difference and learning how this community supports tourism as a means to advancing skills and quality of life of those that live there.I’m just grateful that I am in a position where I can do this by giving back as well as having a few days of r and r!
Vicky
What a wonderful idea! I’m always so depressed about the amount of buying of material things at Christmas. Giving back time and energy seems so much more rewarding. Hope you have a brilliant time.
Bejal
VickyThankyou Vicky. Yes Christmas had become so materialistic and commercial and I’m so happy to be able to be doing something to give back this year. Thankyou for your lovely comment!
1dish4theroad
What a fantastic way to do Christmas, Bejal! And this year’s project sounds so exciting. Have never been to Thailand, so looking forward to hearing about all your adventures..
Bejal
1dish4theroadThankyou Aaron. I just simply can’t wait to be out there and get stick into this. I’m so passionate about doing this and I’ve been to Thailand a number of times now so this will be a trip with a huge difference and one I hope that can make a difference to lives.
abovetheplum
Wow, I never thought about giving back on Christmas. Like you, it’s always been a family holiday, but this just fills my heart. What an amazing time you’re going to have! I love that you’re using your gifts to purchase things for the kids at the orphanage – you two are so thoughtful and wonderful. Can’t wait to read about how it went in January!
Bejal
abovetheplumOh thankyou Tori. I am beyond excited. Christmas over the years has become so commercial that I’m looking fowrad to doing something very different this year. Thanks so much for your kind words. As a travel blogger, I feel its time really to delve more into what tourism can do for the local economy and community and that animals are not being exploited for the tourist industry.
Binny
This is the most wonderful way to give back this Christmas <3
Bejal
BinnyThanks lovely, I can’t wait to do this x
Laura
Sounds like a perfect Christmas adventure you have coming up!
Bejal
LauraI just can’t wait especially as I’m doing all the things I love!
louiseloveslondon
I like you even more now… If that is possible! What a wonderful idea! Hope you will have a lovely Christmas and give the elephants a big hug for me! I have done a lot of work for WWF, so animals are very close to my heart as well! 🙂
Louise X
Bejal
louiseloveslondonAwww thankyou beautiful lady! I will of course give them a hige hug from you and I love how we have yet another thing in common – a love for animals. Thanks for all your support always Louise xxx
Lara Olivia
What a wonderful way to spend Christmas. Very inspiring and sounds like you’ll have a great time! x
Bejal
Lara OliviaThanks Lara. Love giving back a little and cannot wait to do this in a couple of weeks x
Emma
Oh my goodness I am so excited for your Christmas (and not a little bit jealous!). What a wonderful way to spend your holidays. Thanks for linking up to the #travellinkup
Bejal
EmmaThanks Emma for stopping by and your lovely comment. I can’t wait to share the trip with everyone on my return. I do love the #travellinkup. It’s great for meeting like minded people and sharing ideas.
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
This is so wonderful – and you’re so right about the rampant commercialism of Christmas!
Bejal
Emma @ Adventures of a London KiwiThamkyou Emma! Yes unfortunately it has become a little too commercial for my liking but still enjoy some of the hype.
Megan Elizabeth Lifestyle
What a unique way to approach the Christmas period. You’re definitely doing the right thing. I’m intrigued, what does an Indian style Christmas dinner involve? X
Megan | https://meganelizabethlifestyle.com/
Bejal
Megan Elizabeth LifestyleThanks Megan! An Indian style Christmas literally is coating things in a spicy mix! x