Monday, April 12, 2010

April 12: Elephants and Songkran

Today was incredible!  We started out with a tour of one of Chian Mai's orchid garden and butterfly farm



Then, we took a glance at the dung paper process which was sort of like the paper process in Bhutan, but this time made of something a more, um, recycled.


And then .... elephants


Elephants.


ELEPHANTS!


Yes, today we rode on elephants!


And following lunch, we rafted down the Chao Phraya river.


*** I'm going ahead to post this video of things we saw at the elephant camp so I can head to bed (late here in Thailand).  However, youtube says it might not be ready yet so if it doesn't work, please check back.  Your patience is appreciated. ***


Then, this afternoon we not only witnessed Songkran,



but we took part in it as well.



We were glad to not be in Bangkok on this festive day.  But, as I told Dr_EAM, Bangkok may have the rowdy protesting but Chiang Mai had the unruly chaos.


Happy Thai New Year!


* as a side note, Songkran shots would not be possible without this.

5 comments:

Donna said...

OK, there are several faces in the Songkran crowd that are definitely Western! And I think they are having a lot of fun with this!

Still waiting for the elephant rafting video. I will say, that is decidedly rafting....looks small and easily tippable (is that a word?)

Olympus should give you advertising money!

Looks like a fun day. Love you two.

ComplyKated said...

I'm trying the elephant video again but it says youtube is undergoing maintenance tonight (your time) so I don't know it that's part of it.

Chiang Mai is a resort area that attracts many expats. The guy throwing water next to me was a German but lives here and speaks excellent Thai (well what I consider to be excellent Thai). While Chiang Mai is a hub for Songkran so most people who are in the country right now make their way here, there were plenty of locals out showing all the Westerns how to do it.

Summer said...

Okay. It's official. I've moved from vicarious joy to all-out jealousy. You need to take me to Asia next!

Julie said...

Kate, that's awesome! You are doing the exact same thing the Waugh's and I did 3 years ago, this time of year. Crazy! We even went to that orchid garden and rode the bamboo rafts! I am re-living Thailand vicariously through your blog. I love it! Looks like you are having a blast-keep up the posts!

Tina L. Hook said...

More gorgeous photos. *Gush*

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