Bringing people together

We said yes to this trip because of you. Bringing people together, enjoying each other and making a small difference along the way is how we wish to spend our life, time and energy.

Sharing Thailand with our friends is a deep passion. It brings pure joy to our hearts that you decided to join us. Even knowing about the many wonderful communities and experiences that await, the best part of these trips is connecting and getting to know the caring individuals that participate. Thank you and see you in Buddhaland.

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Noi and I spend three months each year in Chiang Mai. It is our time to be with family and time to expand our community outreach in the village and throughout Thailand.

Our time in Thailand is a relaxing time of year where I can also enjoy our home and have the time to write new songs. Our home in the village is where the song Buddhaland was inspired. Karl

Giving Back

Kathy Okawa - Seattle, WA

I am excited to join the Thailand SEVA Trip because I love immersing myself in the new cultures and connecting with the local people.

Giving back to the community-whether through helping animals or supporting people-brings me a deep sense of purpose. I also value meeting like-minded inficiduals on the trip who share this philosophy and enjoy building new friendships. As a veterinarian, I'm especially looking forward to seeing the Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai and the work that is being done there.

Adventure in Thailand

Hello, I’ve heard wonderful stories about the SEVA Experience, listened to Karl’s beautiful music and I am so excited to be a part of this adventure in Thailand. And, I am thrilled to be traveling with my partner LG.

Looking forward to seeing you in January!

I've always wanted to…

After meeting Karl and Not at Rancho la Puerta, then hearing about this trip, it seems like a great way to discover Thailand. Thailand is a place that I've always wanted to visit, but not simply to be another tourist.

While my work as a storyteller has taken me to many countries and given me a non-tourist context for my work, this offers something different, a way to really connect personally with folks, and to be able to offer something sweet to people we meet.

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Music & Creativity

When I travel, the thing I find the most magical and fulfilling is meeting real people and spending time off the beaten tourist path.

In addition, the chance to give something back to these communities, in terms of music and creativity, seems like an amazing opportunity.

Traveling with Purpose

I am a long-time friend of L.G.'s & live in Toronto, Canada. In fact L.G. Carole and I studied together for Yoga teacher training & then followed that with Yoga Therapy training; so years of trying, sharing & learning.

Several years ago Christie joined up in the study of yoga as well. We are a happy band of soul sisters, yoga teachers who have shared many good & challenging times & have stayed close in spite of the miles.

Travelling with 'seekers' is a dream & I imagine the smiles on children's faces will be a wonderful life-long memory.

Traveling with purpose seems to make sense in today's world. The love of singing in a group also holds a special joy for me. I am excited to meet you both & finally experience Thailand - my sister loved living there. I do visit a small country monastery that is of the Thai Forest Tradition in the summers here & I look forward to learning whatever surfaces for me! Peace, peace.

Deeper View of Thailand

When I heard about the trip I immediately said YES. I am deeply interested in the spiritual aspects, temples, culture and love the idea of SEVA and getting a deeper view of Thailand.

I am a retired yoga teacher and therapist, yoga student and I love to travel. I am passionate about native plants and gardens, paddle boarding, and I love sharing all of these things with my 11 grandchildren.

It's time for me to go to Thailand

My past history with Karl allows me to feel a sense of familiarity. This is the right group for me and me for them. I am still in active chiropractic practice for over 40+ years. 

Return Trip

I’m very excited to be traveling to Thailand with Karl & Noi! I was there for 3 weeks in 2017 & Chiang Mai was my favorite part of the experience.

I’ve been wanting to return ever since and after meeting you at Rancho La Puerta & learning about your SEVA trips, I knew this would be the perfect way to do it. 

See you soon in Chiang Mai.

Magical Elephants

Leisha - This photo of the two of us after a long hike in the mountains of Norway in September

I met Karl at the magical Rancho La Puerta and enjoyed his warmth and welcoming demeanor. I have always been drawn to elephants and look forward to meeting and communicating with them.

Rewarding Cultural Experience

Johnny - My wife, Leisha, spoke very highly of you and her friends, Diana & Dave, who are also joining this trip. I trust this will be a rewarding cultural experience.

Authentic Connections

I am an educator who specializes in intercultural learning and teaching - not just what I do, it's who I am.

I enjoy making authentic connections and exploring new cultures. I have traveled extensively, but this is my first trip to Thailand. I prefer traveling with with people and sharing experiences.

I look forward to a trip that transcends the typical tourist experience....(and I may bring a trumpet with me to make some music in schools with an eye toward leaving that instrument such that a child who might not otherwise have an opportunity to learn to play and experience the joy of making music may do so...)

Elephant ResCue

When we met Karl in Mexico we felt a connection with him and his mission. We have not yet met Noi and really look forward to it.

We value giving back and are excited to help at the local level. I have never been east of Jordan and am so excited to see a beautiful and rich part of the world that is new to me. We are especially appreciative of the opportunity to meet and connect with local people and experience the local culture in a way that other types of tours cannot provide.

I look forward to meeting and traveling with like minded people. I am excited to be sharing this adventure with our new friends (from Mexico) Leisha and Johnny and with David- my new husband and best partner.

I am a veterinarian, so I am especially interested in the elephant rescue work. 

Thank you for making this possible.

Taking The Leap

I’ve been wanting to join Karl and Noi’s SEVA adventure for several years now, and I’m so excited that I’ve finally decided to take the leap! The thought of bringing smiles, songs, and laughter to the children in the schools we’ll be visiting truly warms my heart. I’m also eager to immerse myself in Thailand’s rich culture and get to know its wonderful people.

I’m 73 years young, retired, and married to an incredible man who, sadly, won’t be able to join me on this trip. While I’ll miss having him by my side, I know this journey will be an unforgettable experience, and I’m thrilled to be part of something so meaningful.

Connecting with myself

TARRAH

I participated in one of the white water river rafting trips with Karl and the Robbin’s Family with Food Revolution in 2015. I’ve always wanted to do the trip to Thailand every time I’ve seen it offered. And, I don’t really know, something told me to do it this time around. I have made the decision in the moment and couldn’t be happier that I did.

RILEY

I'm excited to be immersed in a different culture in the hopes of connecting with the people that live in Thailand, the other travelers in our group, and even connecting with myself again.

Spontaneous

ROB - We are joining this trip in a spontaneous and adventurous way, and I'm looking forward to a different and meaningful travel experience, especially in Thailand. 

My life's work is about helping other people and organizations to achieve their dreams. I am a producer, audio engineer, and drummer, and I help to run a non-profit that gives people a chance to be creative, especially if they don't get many chances to tap into that part of themselves.

Music is healing

CATHY - I love the aspect of using music as a healing modality for some of the people we will be visiting. I did this work for 30 years in the hospital and healthcare settings for UF Health Arts in Medicine in Gainesville Florida, retiring from the hospital just a couple of years ago.

My husband and I play in several groups, doing different kinds of music, and love making music with each other and others. I am a singer/songwriter, have a jazz group and a bluegrass/folk group, and play guitar and piano. We love Nature and the environment, the ocean, rivers, mountains and springs, hiking, kayaking, visiting new environments, meeting people and making connections. I also have always wanted to see elephants!

Artist • Designer • Chef

Village Experience: Nat is our amazing neighbor and our dear friend who is one of our perfect hosts for The Village Experience. Nat is an artist-designer and works often designing interiors at the Four Season Resorts. But his true passion is cooking. He will be preparing our home cooked traditional Thai celebration brunch.

Chiang Rai Host

Our dear friends Kai & Jib, who are our amazing hosts in the northern hill country and city of Chiang Rai.

After our road trip to Chiang Rai, you will meet them and welcome their welcoming energy into our group. They are dear friends who you love to laugh and who you will love.

Home Sweet Home

Just a few of the family awaiting your arrival on the porch. Mom and Noi’s sister El, waving from our porch.