Blue Sky Cafe

Gecko Villa was launched in 2000 amongst the rice paddies of Northeastern Thailand, a part of the kingdom seldom visited by travellers, who tend to follow the crowds to the tourist destinations of Phuket, Pattaya or Chiang Mai.

The aim behind the project was to create sustainable employment in the region, to avoid economic migration and the traditional breakup of families by offering guests the possibility of escaping from the homogeneity of city hotel rooms to the comfort of their own house and a private swimming pool as well as freshly cooked meals – in the heart of the countryside.

Guests may either enjoy the villa in complete privacy, or allow themselves to be integrated fully into the local ways of life by the local villagers, who are best placed to explain time-honoured traditions and details of the local culture and accompany visitors to hard-to-find local areas of beauty or historical interest.

There is a wealth of things to see and do; from World Heritage museums to visiting small rural villages, schools, markets and temples, to music and morlam festivals, to experiencing traditional rites, or simply enjoying areas of natural beauty with lakes and waterfalls.

As those who have visited the northeast (or “Isaan” as we call it) will testify, Isaan is known to have the most friendly and welcoming people in the country, and offers guests the chance to “go local” in a region mostly unchanged by rapid industrialization.

The timing of any visit to Isaan will largely govern what you will see and experience there. From May to October most locals are busy ploughing and planting the rice paddies, so the area is green and fertile. Guests may be offered the chance to try their hand at ploughing or planting in the paddies: but be warned, this is hard work! December and January are considered the cool season: although days are hot and sunny, nights can be cool and fresh. From February and through till May the region really gets very hot and a splash in a pool or lazing in a hammock is always more appealing than strenuous labour.

The food in Isaan will be one of the highlights of your visit. Whilst the people of Isaan are famous for their ability to eat whatever moves (including lizards, snakes, frogs and insects), the region is home to numerous spicy and fresh dishes that are now favourites throughout Thailand. At Gecko Villa, the local owners are delighted to be able to show guests both Thai and Isaan cooking - not from inside a kitchen, but by taking them through our garden, picking the fresh herbs and spices needed, and then showing them how to make more unusual specialties. They grow much of their own produce organically, including pandanus leaves, kaffir lime leaves, limes, mint, coriander, mangoes, papaya, passion fruit, jackfruit, etc.

The property:

• Controls water and electricity consumption using both traditional and modern methods, and harvests rainwater.
• Distributes all profits within the local community, & creates employment in one of Thailand’s poorest regions, preventing economic migration.
• Employs a majority of women
• Has a permanent recycling programme
• Helps the local community via donations of equipment and funds to village schools.
• Takes demonstrable steps against deforestation, and plants new trees regularly to help sustain the local ecosystems.
• Operates its own organic herb and fruit gardens
• Promotes local ways of life and cultural heritage.

But at their heart is the wish to offer very enjoyable holidays to a variety of visitors, thus promoting the idea that responsible travel is fun! Do visit www.geckovilla.com and consider staying there during your next trip to Thailand!