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Published: December 7th 2006
Such a fun day. The taxi driver who had delivered us to the first guest house in Chiang Mai was very pleasant and spoke English quite well, so we hired him for the day to take us to some of the sights:
I really enjoyed the Maesa Elephant Camp. I wasn't keen to see the elephant show, but it was quite entertaining. The elephants were actually painting pictures by holding brushes in their trunks. Not bad art (they display it and sell it at the exhibition centre). Got to get quite close to these gentle mammoth beings. They each have a trainer and walk about fairly freely. Robin got a photo of me being "hugged" by 2 elephants, their trunks wrapped about me--rather a strange sensation. Their skin is quite rough and hairy.
I didn't want to ride one, but asked if they like to take a bath. One trainer promptly rode his elephant into the nearby river and gave him a bath. The elephant even tried to spray us--they seem to have a sense of humour.
Then we went to a monkey school, apparently run by a family who are very kind to the monkeys. They put on a show and let us feed them and hold them.
Then to an orchid and butterfly farm.
Then to a couple of gem factories--as we expected, they are really just sales places. We looked and resisted.
After a full day, we napped, then went off to the Night Market for a shopping fling. Last night was our last good chance to buy some gifts, so we had fun in the hectic environment.
Then had dinner in our favourite restaurant so far: RANTANA's KITCHEN nearby on Tha Pae Road. Excellent food, prices, and friendly atmosphere.
I even managed to have a nightgown/peignoir copied and made in a 24 hour period. The Thais work so hard!
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Gayle Gavin
non-member comment
Sounds So Wonderful
Wish I was there. Sun, warmth, terraces, elephants. My news is that I am having a party Dec. 16, Saturday, and extend warm invitation with little idea if you are back by then. I know it is around that date and you may be in your transition. On the home front, you may have heard, you have missed torential rains resulting in mud slides ( nothing to do with logging, we are assured) in the water shed reserves, turbid water and the first ever "boil water" in Vancouver history, prompting other BC residents to say, "So sorry, we know what it is like because some of us have a conitunual "water boil" warning." Just as the "boil water" was about to be lifted (after about ten days) we had our first snow storm in November. Snow is still on the ground and many venues were shut down Nov. 27. It snowed about 10 inches over Saturday night to Sunday, Nov. 26 and I stayed home for two days, ventured out for a trip on each of Tuesday and Wednesday and one of Friday, but for the most part stayed put. We had two more falls, one of about 6 inches, so, being Vancouver, where our approach is "why spend resources for four days of snow a year", things slowed down and we spent "cabin time". I am finishing my Geography 310 - resources (including water) and sustainability - and write an exam Dec. 12 so that keeps me focused, particularly as the time draws nearer. Still, I am getting out to hear a bit of music and contact friends and family about my holiday fete. There is an interesting rumour (well maybe more than a rumor) that live (even professional) muscisians are showing up mid evening, so bring your ukele, Margie, and the bongos, Robin. I am beginning to think you will not be home soon because you are not yet in Australia. I know you two are having an adventure and I am vicariously enjoying the warm breezes, blue skies, exotic landscaped, occasional long lunches and a few glasses of the local hooch with you. Go have more fun. Love Gayle