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            Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love,
            live in or have just visited - are what make this guide.
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                <title>Do a one day oil massage course with your partner</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19076</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Learn about traditional Thai massage techniques as applied to oil massage. We did this very well put together one-day course and apart from having a fun day, came away feeling relaxed and happy together.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Chiangmai Batik Painting School</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10416</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[A couple called Ann and Ken will come and pick you up from your guesthouse in the morning and take you to their house where they will teach you various batik techniques. While Ann is overseeing your creations, Ken makes a wonderful Thai lunch.  You don't need a big group to go, in fact it is much better with just a couple of close friends. It can be as simple as you like because you pick the designs yourself, either your own or a stencil so no matter how unartistic you think you are, you can make some amazing things. In the morning you do a practice on a square piece of cloth and in the afternoon you can choose a top or a cushion cover amongst other things to try out a more complicated design and techniques.  <br>It is a bargain and a lovely way to spend a day. Ann and Ken are lovely people and speak good English.]]></description>
                
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                <title>A Thai Buddhist Wedding</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10098</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[If you ever get offered the chance to attend a Thai wedding...take it! I was fortunate enough to be the guest at my friend’s Buddhist wedding in Chiang Mai. Which may not seem so odd but they are from the UK. When I first heard about it I was ready for a contrived tourist resort wedding on a beach, but found to my delight it was going to be a real traditional northern Thai wedding. It was held in a lush tropical private garden paradise, in a small village just out of Chiang Mai called Doi Saket.<br><br>Even more unforgettable was the monk's blessing that was performed before the actual wedding ceremony in a beautiful huge teak wooden temple, in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere. The senior monk was an old monk, who gave off an aura of calm, happiness and wisdom. He did a ceremony where Marie and Mark's heads where tied together with string to bind their minds and lives together. Jit, the wedding co-ordinator, translated and explained most everything for us - her English was incredible! The monk's chanting was beautiful, spiritual and moving.<br><br>Later, the couple released birds and fishes for good luck. Then we all went together by vans to the actual wedding ceremony in Doi Saket, where the village elders joined in the festivities. Truly lovely people!<br><br>The ceremony seemed similar to the one in the temple, except everyone joins in, by offering advice and tying string around their wrists. Amazing to be included in a ceremony which you know has been done for centuries. The meal afterwards was a culinary delight - authentic Thai Cuisine, made as Thai people eat it, but with some dishes for those that can not eat spicy food. There were also dancers, musicians, fireworks and fire balloons. <br><br>It was the most perfect wedding I have ever been to. When my day comes, I know where I will have my wedding. Thailand!]]></description>
                
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