Chiang Mai, Thailand Part 1

Hi all from Chiang Mai,

Trekking in Northern Thailand

I have some catching up to do after two very exciting days. I am writing you from the lobby of our hotel in Chiang Mai. We can pick'em. The hotel is like many here. They have spent the big bucks on the exterior and the lobby, "ooh, Fancy Nancy!" as Kate said when she saw it - but - they have neglected the rooms for oh, a hundred years and I sure hope it is Karaoke night and that guy belting out really bad songs is not getting paid.

Chiang Mai is in the north of Thailand where the mountains and rain forests are abundant and where folks head to go for adventure..and we are no different. We had an extremely exciting day of elephant riding, trekking and rafting. (OH I hope they put that guy out of his misery or mine!).

The van ride wasn't too bad - Kate and I wore our sea-bands and no one was sick. We started out at the elephant camp. We climbed up into a house on stilts and got to watch the elephants come across a river to pick us up. It was so much fun watching Mira and Kate see the elephants for the first time. Kate and Paul got the first of four elephants on our trek and Mira and I got on one that didn't have a guide, it was just attached to the one in front. Giggles per dollar this was the best value activity. Mira and I were practically crying. Our elephant kept spraying us with muddy water, leaves or dirt. We were a mess. Then the elephants went up a steep hill side and down another indescribably narrow path of deep, slippery mud. The elephants would tilt forward to the point we would almost slide off our seat then tip side ways and so on. We were on a slow motion bucking bronco. Hilarious. It was so bumpy and crazy, I was glad I didn't have to hold on to Kate - Paul had that job. To end off, we traversed the river on elephant back. Really neat. We got to get photos and see all the elephants eat.

The Elephant Camp - This elephant didn't like the leash on its ear and when we were done, it just took it off.

Hold on!

Next we headed off to a waterfall (can't remember its name) and hike into a small village. The countryside is really spectacular. Green.

We ended our day on a bamboo rafting trip. Paul got to pole at the back and put his whitewater reading experience to work. It was lovely and cool.

Great day all around! Very tired girls to end the day. :)