A late night arrival brought us to Chiang Mai around 2130. An instant feel of the slow paced, mild air and more sleep city was a good change from Bangkok.

We arrived at our glorious accommodations in Chiang Mai: for $10 per night you really skip the luxury. A very simple room with a fun and friends: little ants Enjoyed our room as well... better then other creepy bugs.

The next day we walked around the city and explored many of the temples ( Wats) as the call them. There is no real humidity so we could walk around a lot longer without feeling like someone splashed a bucket of sweat on us; not a great feeling.

Walked through some neighborhoods and found the silver temple (the only one in the world) and you can ask Michelle how she liked it: from the outside. Women were not allowed in this temple so I had to tease Michelle a bit about it.

After that we found a western style food place that made our tastebuds embark on a long awaited journey until the food came. Ok so the food looks better reading it then tasting it.... The saying " when in Rome" well thats like the Greeks trying to emulate Roman architecture; food just doesn't have the same taste as back home.

Later that night we went to the large night bazaar/ shoppers paradise. We bought a few things that we can have at our place in Australia, more unique things.

After an hour or so, the crowds and the same stalls, we had enough and tuk tuked it home.

They next morning we woke up nice and early and caught our ride to the Elephant sanctuary to spend some time with some lovable creatures. Tucked in a valley along the green mountain side was the sanctuary, as you pull up the first thing you notice is the elephants.

19 in total, 1baby and the rest adults, this park had a large bunch.
We started off by meeting our trainer/ guide for the day.

Feeding the elephants was extremely fun, even noticing the differences and abilities to interact with different elephants. Feeding them bananas and sugar cane, we went around to all the elephants, sometimes getting mugged by their trunks and they try to steal more bananas from your arms: yes I can safely say I've been mugged by an elephant for bananas!

After feeding time we were shown how to climb on an elephant and voice commands to control them... Kinda control them. We ride bare back instead of putting a chair or seat on them, that's to give the elephant more freedom and to give a more personal experience with them.

As well, this park does not not make them do tricks or any thing stupid like that. I strongly discourage circuses now, anywhere that makes animals preform these acts. Even in Canada the elephants are mistreated and beat just to get then to learn tricks!

A zoo is a better, not the best: depending on the zoo and the enclosure as well.

After learning the techniques Michelle and I set off for an hour long trip. Michelle was at the helm or on the neck off the elephant and I got the back.... Yeahhh!

It was a relaxing trip, our Elephant being the largest in the park, slowest too but providing a smoothing ride.

We switched for the break and I got to the helm for the rest of the trip. We arrived at the place to bathe the elephants, seeing floating poop around didn't give it the magical feel we were thinking but it was still fun.

When the elephant rolled on its side you lose the feel of the size of them until they stand up and then your amazed once again.

It crazy how such a large animal can be so gentle and tame...elephants listen better then dogs and more friendly then house cats; don't go to Africa and try to hug a wild elephant and say Tyler said it was ok, only certain ones do lol.

After that we ate lunch and played around with the younger elephant, this included the elephant reaching and grabbing for tys banana if you know what I mean. Have a funny picture of this haha.

We left and had an uneventful evening. As we were both still not feeling 100% Woke up and now we head to Malaysia!

Till next time

T & M