Center Park Service Apartment And Hotel Chiang Mai

... the subjects of Buddhism and monkishness). I'll have some of that.
Wanting to get into the spirit of monkageness I decided to walk the 3km or so to the Wat. I got there and was gently ushered to sit with a monk. I spent the next hour and 20 battering him with questions. Oh, and I helped him with the english language a bit, and got his email address. I have a monks email address!! His demeanour was unbelievably calm. For education on Buddhism and monkability, please ...

... animal rights activist just during our time here and I'm about to join her, now realizing that this is the way these endangered species are being treated.
Tara took off for a couple days to go up north to Pai and to the Cave Lodge, a place that came highly recommended by our good buddies Wynkoop, Cari, Gleeson and Sam. I stayed behind because I got sick, once again. When she returned, we moved to a less expensive guest house. On November 1st ...

... this mansion in real Lanna style is just stunning............and if that was not enough .....the gardens and surrounds are impeccable.....it has remained in the family and the current owner Opas is a direct descendant. The staff too are wonderful and Pepsi.......yup as in the drink...... is just the best.........anything you want is never too much trouble...............i know this sounds like a sales pitch but if you are ever in Chiang Mai ...

... sometimes so we decided to stop by and check it out on our moto. I loved the monastery since it was just outside the city and built deep in a forest with a lake on one side of it. It was great walking around because you are surrounded in nature and have the monks prayers in the background (super mystical).



There is one area where they built underground tunnels for a previous monk who liked to wander around and could have shelter via the tunnels. At one time they ...

... time, no matter were wet all day from the rain. It was relaxing and fun way to float down the river. That was the last bit of our tour, we changed into dry lothes and headed back to Chiang Mai. We had a bit of time for relaxing and then decided to go to an Indian restuarant with our group for dinner. We walked up and down the enormouse night market, much cheaper than o the islands. And we both got a massage for about $6/hour

After 5 or so days on the Island of Ko Lanta, after getting a haircut, it was time to jump on the minibus to Ao Nang (3 hours away). As usual we got the cheapest possible bus which not only meant we were travelling with local monks, but also that we were dropped off in Krabi at the bus stop, where we caught a public Siratani (public ute taxi) to Ao Nang. We spent 2 nights in Ao Nang at the Red Ginger Chic hotel which was very nice ...

... Thailand. The Elephant Nature Park acts as a sanctuary to care for sick, injured and abandoned elephants. Providing proper medical care and nutrition for an elephant is extremely expensive. When people are unable to care for an elephant they can contact the park and surrender the animal. The majority of the elephants at the park have had serious injuries in the past, from land mines, to car accidents, to serious abuse by previous owners ...

Today was a day of thrills and excitement! We participated in the 'Flight of the Gibbon' excursion. It's in the jungle north of Chiang Mai near Mae Kompong village and consists of about 15 platforms with zip-lines and 2 bungies to lower platforms. What a blast we had! My knees shook uncontrollably for the first 4 or 5 platforms but I did eventually get more comfortable with it. Jean-Guy had a blast and even did some tricks (went upside down ...

... vendor 1/3)

Then after breakfast we slept until 2PM – we deserved it after our night of celebrating! The rest of the day we just did some shopping walking the Pratuman Market near our hotel – souvenirs and great deals on everything you could want.

(Pic of shopping)

That night we went to the Baiyoke Hotel which ...

... water's edge), being very sad that our fun day had ended, and with everything crossed that the days to come wouldn't be ruined by an ear infection...

Before we started the rafting I gave the tour guide my camera and asked him to take some pictures because he was part of the 'rescue team' on the banks, with ropes ready to throw to drowning rafters! Here are some of the ...