After spending several days in Chiang Mai last year, in the north of Thailand, I was very keen to go back and show Poppy why I loved the place and why the festival of Loi Krathong Or lantern festival is such and awe to be apart of. Unfortunately the big event of Lantern releasing at the university of Mae Jo that I witnessed last year had already come and gone, so this time we stayed around the town and river areas of the city more and wondered in and out of temples as various activities associated with the festival unveiled around us.
Whilst in the North, a couple days ago we went on an Eco tourism trip to see, feed, play with, wash and even ride (bare back) Thai Elephants. With poppy being such an animal lover I knew she would be well keen … But even I was amazed by the creatures which having only seen from afar in a zoo before, this was something else all together and must be one of the most memorable things I have done all year ! Neither of us, poppy particularly, are in agreement with captivity of animals of any kind but from what we witnessed and were assured on the most part was being done in a manor which provided stability for the animals, their surroundings and the people / local communities caring for them.
What’s more; we also managed to squeeze in half a day around the city of Chiang Rai before flying south to Bangkok from where we will be catching an overnight bus to Khao Lak. Back to the coast and hopefully some good snorkelling and diving time after 4 city’s back to back.
Unfortunately still haven’t managed to experience the town of Pie up north – one day. :)
So on the flight southbound now … Next stop Khao Lak …
