A Day Tour in Thailand

This past Thursday, we took our first ever tour in Thailand.  Last year, we just nosed around on our own, but this year we wanted to see some things that we weren't sure how to find on our own.  So, the first stop was...

an orchid and butterfly farm.

Another totally different orchid.  This one might be my favorite!

Kevin standing at the end of an "alley" of orchids at an orchid farm.  We were told that orchids need "just right" watering and sun...too much or too little is easy.  Just right is difficult. 

This plant and water fall was in the butterfly farm.  We didn't see any really outstanding butterflies.

However, these butterfllies were interesting.

Here's the dangling roots of the orchids.  They hang on poles to grow; no need to plant into dirt!

Yes, this is a real elephant.  He lifted me up with his trunk, then planted a snotty, sandy kiss on my neck.

Up close and personal!

An elephant with his trainer, painting a picture.

The elephant continues with the painting.

The trainer carries the painting off to display it to be sold later.

See that tennis shoe on the right?  It's mine.  Proof that I was on top of an elephant.  It was a little scary, mainly because I kept thinking horrible thoughts, like, "I hope they tightened this seat down well!"  Here, we were on our way to have the elephant walk upstream in a river with us on his back.  Amazing, the strength these animals have!

 

While on the elephant, I took a picture of this raft.  We had been on a raft like this earlier.  Just like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn!  Tom and Huck didn't have their own Thai raft guide.  Notice the elephant on land in the background.  This is nothing like a River Ridge Custom Canoe!

Here's our personal raft guide.

And, here we are on the sunny raft with several other friends we met on the journey.

 

Here's the elephant we were riding.  During the whole time, except photo taking, the elephant's driver was sitting right behind his head/right in front of our seat.  Here, I'm feeding the elephant a stick of sugar cane.  Doesn't he look like he's smiling?

Our tour ended with an oxcart ride.  Bumpy...yes.  The day was a fascinating way to see the hills of Thailand around the Chiang Mai area. 

 

We would highly recommend this tour, arranged by Journey Tours in Chiang Mai.  Well done, and it included pick up and drop off at our hotel and a Thai buffet lunch, all for $33 USD each...amazing!