Chang Mai

Whenever people heard that we were going to Thailand, they always seem to ask if we were going to Chang Mai (Northern Thailand) – it was obviously quite a few peoples favourite locale… and Matt and I were able to agree whole heartedly!




Chang Mai was 4 days into our Thailand tour.. and while we enjoyed certain select places or sights so far in Thailand, neither Matt or I were “in love” with any one place and really didn't know why everyone loved Thailand has a whole to visit. Sure, it's warmer than Canada and there are delicious fruit and crazy spicy food which, we are sure really inspired the song “Ring of Fire” but there was nothing great or different that made Thailand "special".

When we arrived in Chang Mai – it was like the atmosphere totally changed. All of a sudden it was a small bustling city with sights and sounds, and every person we met (who was a local) was very nice! Matt and I could see why people love Chang Mai at any rate..

View Point on the Mountain overlooking Chang Mai

We visited a mountain temple (famous for its loooooong stairway) - 900 steps or so? Legend has it, the reason why this temple is so far outside of Chang Mai, is that the King - who in Thailand has all of the "white elephants" (albino recessive gene) because they are considered a gifted animal, gave a relic of Buddha to a white elephant and the elephant forged deep into the jungle until it stopped here and turned three times.. indicating that this was the spot for the temple to be built!

There is a market up on the way to the temple.. they sell many things..

They sold fresh passion fruit juice (100%, not from concentrate)... yuuuumy!

They also sold live birds in woven cages so that you could "free" the birds (give them back their life) which is considered a good act and helps to ensure you give more life than you take - strict buddhists are vegans.. while in Thailand most people still seem to eat meat. On a depressing note: these vendors will catch these wee birdies again after people release them..

The temple itself is beautiful.. unique and a little different than what we'd seen before:

Me and the stairs.. you can notice some of the tile work going up the side of the stairs..

Main "Gate" of the temple.. more golden paint, far less mirrored mosaics - it gave it a little bit more of a real temple feel and a little less Hollywood glam.. and while I know the other style is just as traditional.. I liked this much more!

Oh.. but they didn't skimp on the gold leaf....

Chimes filled the air... chimes are felt to dispel bad vibes in and around the temple

We visited a Elephant Conservatory which originally was formed when the unemployment rate for elephants skyrocketed to 100% after the logging industry was shut down. These elephants were moved to the conservatory which currently has a protected area for the elephants to live. The elephants born here are still trained in the traditional manner to move logs etc. and some are trained to “paint”. Naturally, a facilities like this are considered controversial due to the revenue coming in from tourists who come to see and ride the elephants..

Mid day Bath (Cooling down)

They also have a hospital and nursery at this conservatory:

This elephant was a victim of a landmine explosion in Northern Thailand -She was brought here 2 years ago, and she is now able to stand and move around on three working legs, but obviously she'll never have the same mobility. When asked if the elephant was still able to be socialized, our guide said that she wouldn't be allowed with the group as she wouldn't be able to keep up - but that her trainer/owner moved to Chang Mai with her so she isn't left alone each day.

This elephant (the mother) has a skin infection which they are cleaning - one of the handlers is keeping her baby interested since he definitely had a nose towards trouble! They did have to tie him up (it was with a chain - which sparked a long, loud debate among the more vocal/opinionated members of our group) ... but Matt was thinking that perhaps a simple rope wouldn't hold an elephant??

The mother's handler is distracting the baby - although he's almost three, so soon he'll be assigned his own trainer/handler and leave his mother.. I think maybe this is why he was so insistent to cause trouble and not stick close to his mother...

Here you can see him roaming around a bit... (he got up again once the handler left)

And here, he's trying to reach the handler/trainer who is standing outside the picture...

And now (Less controversial) ...Baby Elephants! (Uber Cute):

Apparently the elephant population is in decline within Thailand (wild and protected) and with their natural habitat being destroyed due to weather changes and urbanization - the wild elephants are beginning to eat farmers crops which is causing a problem since the farmers themselves will starve - there is a fair concern that eventually those elephants will be killed if they don't stop roaming into the crops.

BUT: back to baby elephants:

This one is 6 months old (with an adoptive mother, as he was a rescue baby)

You can see the mother's handler/trainer... he'll have to take care of two elephants until the baby is around three years old and is old enough to pick his own trainer/handler.
These men are with the elephants their whole lives, and usually, they will pass the elephant (provided the elephant approves) to his son in case the original handler dies before the elephant. It is a life long relationship.

This little one is only 3 months old! And is still furry!!

**screen side swipe*
And Back in Chang Mai –

Matt and I hit up a famous Thai Massage (sorry, we didn't get any pictures!) and, what is the standard of every Thai city, another night market! This one really is the best one we visited in Thailand.

Night Market.. and if you got hungry... the Burger King is 24hrs!

Matt and I at the Market.. :)
(It was still really HOT... 28 degrees at 11pm)