Thailand has hundreds of orchid varieties. Jewelry is made out them by dipping the flower blossom in a resin, which hardens and maintains the orchid's color. Yes, I bought a gorgeous orchid pendant.
Day Eleven: Elephant trek in Chiang Mai November 21st 2005 This was a fantastic day. I pet the tongue of a 3-month old elephant and rode on an older elephant's trunk! We got up close and personal with Asian elephants at the Mae Ping elephant camp. I have the t-shirt to prove it. The elephant is the most revered animal in Thailand and although its numbers have dwindled in the past 50 years, aggressive conservation efforts are making a difference. These cam ... read more
Asia » Thailand » North-West Thailand » Chiang Mai A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy.... ... read more