Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Thailand Day 5 - Chiangmai Part I

We started our day in Chiangmai, where we had a restful night at the Puripunn Boutique Hotel (www.puripunn.com
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The breakfast buffet was fairly small given the number of people there were to eat it, but we made do, and waited for our guide to pick us up...
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Grandpa and Peter listening to some tunes together while they wait...
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Our first stop was the Maeteman Elephant Camp, where we got to get up close and personal with the elephants.  There are many opportunities to buy bananas and sugar cane to feed to the elephants. This one was also available for pictures!
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The elephants, with those big trunks were very aggressive about taking the food that we had for them. 
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This one gave Jack a little ride on his snout. 
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And the trainer let Peter get on an elephant's back.
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Success!

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The elephants put on a small show for us, but before the show, they all had a bath in the river which was so fun to watch!  You could tell it was something they really enjoyed!
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Some scenes from the show...
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This elephant painted a picture of... an elephant! 
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Wow!  This is a better elephant than I could draw!
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Peter got to feed one of the stars of the show some sugar cane.  Watch out Peter!
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Next, it was off to do an elephant trek through the jungle.  Here's Jack and Grandpa crossing the river on elephant-back.
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After the river was a steep incline.  Hang on!
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Off go Linda and Peter into the jungle...
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Here's a view of the valley and the elephant camp, framed by banana leaves...
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Some of the thick vegetation!
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The trainer let Jack get out of the harness and sit on the elephant bare-back. Jack was thrilled!
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Sue, Sophie and I were on another elephant, and we tossed a bundle of sugarcane down to a searching snout.  He sure knew we had some food!
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Now we're back down into the valley again, where we jumped off of the elephants and did some shopping...
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This local villager saw Sue coming a mile away!
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Sophie also found a friend!  She manhandled this little kitten for awhile...
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Don't worry, I'm sure it's had all its shots!
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Peter, getting a bracelet tied on by this beautiful village woman.
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Next, we left the village by oxcart to meet up with our guide.
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Fabulous scenery on this day of perfect weather.
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Here come Linda, Randy and Jack in their oxcart, back into the elephant camp.
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Yes, this was all BEFORE LUNCH!  Since this entry is getting so long, I'll continue on the next blog!

1 comment:

Bob & Amy said...

I cannot believe that Elephant can paint!! You guys look like you are enjoying the sun!! You needed to warm up!