At the end of just a day I understood more about Thailand than in four weeks of backpacking and staying in guesthouses. We traveled to and from obscure piers that the average tourist would never know were there. We got to try out driving the long-tail boat, visited their temple, met members of the Moken tribe who talked about traditions dying and surviving amongst them. We learnt about the role of the chief, their fishing economy, how to make squid traps and an unusual community drive for conserving endangered animals and ecosystems. I feel privileged to have seen behind the scenes in Thailand; it's a genuine and memorable experience I won't forget.

Helen, UK

Just when I was starting to get hungry, we arrived at a house with beautiful red flowering bushes. A young boy sped up the huge coconut tree in the yard and threw down delicious coconuts for us to eat. After we finished drinking the milk, our guides split open the coconuts, and the hospitable villagers brought out spoons for us to eat the young coconut inside.

Refreshed, we continued on and saw some poisonous bright orange mushrooms. Our guides pointed out some wild pig tracks crossing the path and apparently saw a huge python, but it slithered off into the bushes before we saw it.

Annalise, USA

The snorkeling trip to Ko Kai Island with a packed lunch (prepared by the Lok, the family's culinary expert) was particularly enjoyable. Happy hours were spent snorkeling in the cool waters surrounding this postcard pretty island.

Stephanie