Thaied and True

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Thaied and True

 Asia » Thailand » Chiang Mai » Chiangmai » Chiang Mai By Steve Sarah
May 26th 2007
S&S Sa-wat-dee! After leaving the sweltering Bangkok we've arrived in the humid and somewhat less sweltering city of Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city. The landscape is much more lush and it feels like we're in a jungle of the tropical, rather than the urban, variety. The city has nearly as many temples as Bangkok however, and with the smaller population they seem to be everywhere. In addition to visiting a fantastic forest and a mountain top temple, we took a great Thai cooking class (at the same place as Emily and Mum Harrison) and today rode elephants! Thankfully the elephant ride occurred before Sarah's breakfast registered itself as having sat in the sun for too long before eating... All is now well though. Tomorrow we have a few last minute detours in town before heading to the airport on our way to Luang Prabang in Laos. We're excited to visit a new country, but also to fly on an airline that the UN won't let its personnel board for safety concerns. Wish us (and the pilot) luck!

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Photos

Street scene Chiang Mai
Little kids ride in the front - no car seats!

Street scene Chiang Mai
School field trip

Street scene Chiang Mai
There are wats everywhere here...some next to gas stations...

Tuk tuks
You can get a tuk tuk around town for about $2

Street scene Chiang Mai
Off to work...

Monks
We snuck into a monestary just in time for evening prayers...

Dragon staircase
The nicer wats all have dragon staircases

Sarah in the sun
On the monestary grounds...

Words to live by
From the dali lama...

Our favourite breakfast
Mangos, sticky rice and coconut milk....about $1.50 a plate...

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School
Steve hard at work, and hoping Sarah will do the dishes :-)

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School
One of the 6 dishes we made - green curry with chicken

Doi Suthep
The biggest wat in Chiang Mai - on a hill overlooking the city.

Doi Suthep
Evening mass is beginning.

Doi Suthep
Learning how to pray

Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai in the background.

Doi Suthep
Nuns in the front.

Maesa elephant camp
Elephant riding...10x bumpier than riding a horse! Not good for those with motion sickness :-(

Maesa elephant camp
Steve feeding our elephant

Maesa elephant camp
Sarah after the ride and a little green...

Maesa elephant camp
Some tourists pay extra to help bathe the elephants, although we didn't.

Elephants enjoying the water
This made us feel good about our decision.

Maesa elephant camp
Elephants painting.

Comments

[Mum (Linda)]

Thai rules
Good to see you got to Chiang Mai- great cooking course. Keep healthy and all the best in Laos. Love Mum

[Juliet]

Yummy
OK, I'm ready for a Thai meal when you come and visit! Yummy! Good luck on the flight.... :)

[vanessa griffiths]

exit
sit near the emergency exit, the safest place on a plane!

[Serrina]

Thanks for the posts!
It's great to get an e/m in my inbox that there is an update on your journey. It's almost like being on vacation with you. Key word: ALMOST

[Emily]

Sa Wat Dee Kaa! I'm glad you're having a good time- good luck in laos.. if you get there safe! Cant wait until we can cook together our thai food. Watch what you are wearing at the temples Sar- they dont appreciate tank tops all too much :). Love you xo