Mae Sa Valley Chiang Mai

The past 4 days we have spent them in Chiang Mai, an easy going city in the north of Thailand. Here we have experienced some Thai culture, including several massages a cooking course, a massage course and some serious Thai boxing combats.

Not much more to tell. Tonight we are leaving to Laos. A one bus trip this evening and tomorrow we will catch a 2 day slow boat that will take us through the Mekong river all the way to Luang Prabang, in the northern Laos.

... every minute of the trek and didn’t want it to end. At one point it looked like there may be the possibility of an extension for another night of which in different circumstances would have been welcomed. However we got on with the rafting and in the end was all smiles! The sense of achievement (for both of us) at having climbed and descended such a large mountain was incredible. I felt like I was on a school trip again (especially having a Canadian ...

... video of the treatment of elephants here in Thailand. They are put through a terrible "training process" and violent treatment to teach them to perform in shows and carry tourists on their backs. I knew some of this through my research, but I had no idea how badly the Asian elephants need to be helped. Antiquated ideas about how to control them have kept the training methods from evolving with the times. Lek is, for the first time in SE Asia, trying to show ...

... Unfortunately I was advised to leave most of my money in the safe at the guesthouse, which I did, not realising there would be booze for sale along the way! So I only had enouh for three cans on the whole trek and missed out on getting tipsy with everyone else. Elephant ride was grand (but I preferred it in Sri Lanka) and the rafting was relaxing, although very undemanding due to a pretty low water level.

It was immediately after the rafting trip when everything ...

... with nothing expected in return. We were only able to see a fraction of the large city of Bangkok because we were there during a rainy week and every afternoon it would pour rain, making it difficult to venture out. Still, what we did see and experience was great and left us wanting to someday return to Bangkok to explore more. Our next trip is to the South to soak up the sun on the infamous beaches and islands of Southern Thailand. Our next blog to come soon...

... main et l'autre main a le pouce à l'extérieur du bras. On appuie avec le pouce sur le côté du bras en montant jusque la jonction du coude, puis on tourne et on redescend avec le pouce sur le tendon. 5 fois Mantra 41 a) Monter à l'intérieur du bras jusqu'à l'épaule et redescendre à l'extérieur paume de la main ouverte. 3 fois b) Mains croisées comme au mantra 38, Monter tout le bras et redescendre normal à l'extérieur. Mantra 42 Massage de la main en pressant comme les pieds ...

... and clearly I had to help out the Thai economy with a couple of purchases. I did manage to get myself lost, in all my excitement I completely lost track of where I was, not helped by the fact that it was dark. For the next couple of days I booked myself onto a hill-tribe trek, which is the reason why many tourists come to Chiang Mai. Our group of 11 set off with our guide, Kai, into the hills. First on the itinerary was elephant ...

... almost feels like a New York, or London in some areas, sky-high buildings, taxis, shiny metro system. I spent 5 days doing not alot, gaining back my 6 kgs of lost weight in Pad Thai, fresh pineapple, Thai curry......I did get off my bum and visit the Tiger temple one day, which was pretty touristy, but got to play with some tiger cubs which was lovely! (Han I thought of you!!) Will put some pics of that on facebook when I get my camera sorted, its playing up!! I ...

... nor can you ride the elephants. Instead you get to interact in their normal everyday activities and this includes bathtime. The elephants have official bathtimes after lunch and at around 5pm although as they are free to roam they can head to the river anytime they want. We also head down with srubbing brushes and tubs and get into the water to join them. Although its best to wait a few minutes till the piles of elephant poo floats down river!!!! Then we get in and start ...