INTERVIEW

Photo Wayne Martin Heather Crofskey

Health at the heart of Thai adventure

Thailand has three seasons – hot, very hot and very, very hot – something Ararimu local, Heather Crofskey soon discovered after travelling to Chiang Mai in the north where she started learning to be her own physician. She related some of her experiences to HELEN PERRY.

After her husband’s death in 2010, Heather Crofskey was encouraged by her son to move with him to Thailand. The idea of a new adventure appealed and in 2013 she set off never expecting to live in New Zealand again.

“I soon found Chiang Mai had a large expat community (lots of Americans) and a thriving expats club. I quickly became part of that international community which presented opportunities I would never have experienced in my home country,” she says.

“In particular, I met and made friends with people from all walks of life and from many different cultures, ethnicities and careers.

‘It was there that my Health as a Hobby interest mushroomed into an international network of like-minded people, the aim being to help people to help themselves.

“I guess the catalyst – By Divine Order, as I think of it – came after the death of my son from throat cancer about 18 months after we moved to Thailand. The network helped me deal with my grief and to overcome many personal fears.”

Believing prevention is the best cure, Heather says, “by learning how our own bodies function we can make informed decisions about our own health.”

“We all know that in these modern times medicine and health care has made significant advances but this has also created a dependence on medication which can have side effects and, subsequently, impact negatively on our lives.

“We all age; the question is how well, happy and active we age? The Health as a Hobby operates on a one-to-one basis, either personally or by the likes of Skype. It became an important part of my life, and still is as I learn to be my own doctor.’

While Health as a Hobby was one new challenge, there were others too, such as learning a new language at the age of 74 and adjusting to a new culture. Mai with its beautiful historic 800-year-old moat featuring traffic flowing clockwise on the outside but anti- clockwise on the inside. Beautiful orchids grow and flower at eye level on the trees surrounding it; from the first I was entranced.”

Exploring the city Heather soon discovered tuk-tuks, and red trucks (songtaews), were the regular means of getting around – “they provided cheap, efficient transport in a city packed with motorcycles and where driving myself would have proved prohibitive! And, don’t ask a Thai for directions – losing face can be problematic!”

Opting for condo life on 16th floor of a high rise still makes her chuckle – “it certainly made it harder for snakes to find me if they were looking for a meal!”

And, while apartment living was a world away from her now rural home, she says it provided her with an amazing lifestyle.

“From my window I could see Mt Suthep, Thailand’s second highest mountain – we Kiwis would call it a long hill. What’s more, swimming in the 5th floor, salt-water pool became my daily, year-round exercise. It was there I overcame my fear of water and learned to swim.”

The Centre of the Universe, a nearby private club and swim resort at the foot of Mt Suthep also provided a quiet and peaceful retreat, “and, of course, a wonderful restaurant!”

“In fact, I really enjoyed meal times in Chiang Mai. The Thais don’t hurry over a meal; quality time with family or guests is of prime importance!

“Being one of those DIY healthy eating folk meant I also enjoyed the local markets for their wide variety of fresh, seasonal produce. At the weekend, I could often be found at JJ’s (Jing Jai) Organic Market or at the Royal Project (not for profit) store which was open most days. “There, everything was mostly organic, cheaper and fresher than supermarkets. But there was more than produce. You could also buy handcrafts, cut flowers, organic herbal beauty products and more.”

Life in Chiang Mai had few downsides as far as Heather was concerned other than the ‘burning’ season when Thai farmers burnt off residue in the rice fields.

“Face masks and air purifiers in the home were essential for healthconscious folk or you could head south to the coast where the air was clean! On the other hand, moves are afoot to provide farmers with non air polluting incinerators which should augur well for the future.”

It was indeed an idyllic period in which Heather was very content with her ‘new’ home and lifestyle.

“I loved the friendliness of Thai people; they value older people, particularly mothers, and I learned that Thais believe it takes a village to raise a child. I had few worries about health care – Ram Hospital, Absolute Health and Chiva Care, all offered excellent medical facilities. possible. I recommend the 12-hour sightseeing day trip by train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok where you can shop till you drop and any one of the various Ping River cruises are a must.

“Interacting with elephants is also part of the farang (foreigners) experience as are the many sights of Bangkok or the wonderful resorts around Phuket, Koh Samui and more.

“Yes, I was content to stay in Chiang Mai for the rest of my life but then Covid-19 changed the world New Zealand was already in lockdown when I chose to go home but, ‘By Divine Order’, smoothed the pathway to making my homecoming trouble-free.

“Not wanting to get caught up in the local mandatory vaccinations agenda was the major factor after the likelihood of separation from my family so, after seven years away I came home to Ararimu.

“What’s more that was the right decision although I do miss all my international friends, the Buddhist culture, several Thai families who made me part of theirs and taught me so much about Thai life, and, of course, the weather!”

An elephant’s kiss.