Chiang Mai 1

I am sorry, but believe the pictures in the link might be even more out of order than in the past. Have not had a chance to try to figure this out.

Chiang Mai is definitely more manageable than Bangkok, but we haven't biked yet after a week here. Instead, we have taken advantage of our friend Muffy's kindness, and she has been our tour guide. She knows people everywhere here, and it's great to get first hand info, and to benefit from her knowledge of wonderful restaurants & cafes, laundry options, local transport systems etc.
The city is big, busy, and dusty enough, that we probably won't try to ride from the guest house, despite my initial plans. LOTS of traffic, of every type, and everyone regularly weaves in, out, and around each other.

Link to Chiang Mai 1
Our most special experience so far, was a visit to Muffy's favorite Elephant Conservation Center. Both Craig and I had read e.g. a great 2014 biographical book called The Elephant Company, and it was amazing to get to see these large, and intelligent animals up close. We got to ride for maybe 2-3 hrs, with the help of the mahouts in charge of our respective elephants. Had our memories been better, maybe we could have mastered a few of the commands the elephants understand, but all I could say was Dee Mak, which means 'very good'. Fortunately I didn't have to say Ya !, which means 'NO'.  Craig also helped bathe his elephant in a pond, but I let Wanalee's mahout Tiam, do her bathing on his own. The mahouts all stayed dry by balancing in various ways, but Craig did get his legs wet, and he was very happy we could shower immediately when we were done. Wanalee is 20 yrs old, and  Pra-Juab     is 38.

Before this outing, we went to a nearby town called Lamphun, where there is an impressive temple area, and where I liked some of the paintings along the walls. There is also a Crafts Center, partly supported by the government at least in the past, where they have some gorgeous silk, and cotton clothes made by local artisans at great prices. We might go back, if we decide to ship a box back home, as Muffy knows of a post office of some kind, which ships by boat at a reasonable price.
We are staying immediately outside the wall of the old part of the city, and in max 20 min., have walked to at least 6 places for delicious and inexpensive food.
One day Craig joined Muffy at an Irish pub, to watch the Patriots play live, our time in the morning. Muffy was excited, as she usually knows the score when they show the game here, but Craig said he brought along bad luck, as they lost. She rivals Vicky in her enthusiasm for sports.

Today we returned from a 'trek', incl. one overnight, organized by our guest house, and its partner. The Irish owner of Eagle House, is very invested in the community, and e.g. supports local hill tribes with some of the proceeds. We figured this was an easy way, in a totally different environment & culture, to get our feet wet (and we did literally, despite having hoped not to..). We were lucky, and there was only one other couple, young Germans. The hike of 3.5 hrs was beautiful, through rice paddies, walking next to water buffalo grazing there. It was downhill mostly, and there were a few stream crossings on rickety planks, and stepping on rocks, but we stayed dry.
I had hoped not to take the bamboo raft downriver today, but there was some misunderstanding, and it turned out this was my only option. I was the old lady on the raft, and was able to lightly grab the rack that held all the packs, when needed, but Craig had to balance without hand support, and stayed on the entire 3 hrs. The Germans fell in once, but were good sports about it.
We were driven way up in the mountains to begin the trek, stopped at the Moi Fa waterfall in a National Park, and the trek started, and finished in 2 Hill Tribe villages. Some of these tribes are Christian, and we saw 2 churches, again the nicest buildings in their villages.  These hill tribe people are apparently not considered Thai, and are not full citizens. The trek was in the Huay Nam Dang National Park, and the river we rafted on is the Matang.
Am writing this after a cross cultural experience of another kind. Muffy invited us to join her at the Chiang Mai Chabad House, where she went to light Hanukkah candles. Almost all there were Israeli tourists, but one friend of Muffy's is from southern Thailand, and comes because she is interested in Jewish traditions.
We have a few more days in Chiang Mai, before we move on, into the country side we hope, bikes in tow.

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Link to Chiang Mai 1