Family in Thailand: Chiang Mai Day 2

Since we couldn't find a tour that fit with what we wanted to do and get us back in time for our flight, Tanner and Bryce arranged for a private driver and scheduled everything independently.  It ended up working out perfectly!  We started the day a little before 8:00 and headed up to the mountains to the elephant and long neck villages.

We got lost in the beginning.  We did get to see this beautiful scene due to the unexpected detour though.

Finally, with the help of this sweet old man, we found the right place.

Since we had our own driver we were able to have all of us at the elephant camp even though we weren't all riding.  Tanner, my mom, dad and I watched.  They were kind enough to let us feed and touch the elephants even though we weren't going to train with them and ride.  Annie and I also got kisses from the baby elephant. (Word to the wise: If you are going to get an elephant kiss keep your mouth shut... I got some of that slobbery trunk on my tooth.)

First we met the elephants.

Next we fed them and took some pictures.

Then they taught us how to talk to them.

Bryce, Annie and Wesley took turns practicing.  Bryce was a real natural up there.  He said he felt more comfortable riding the elephant than a horse.

Then they were off to ride through the jungle and play in the water/bathe the elephants.

3 day old baby water buffalo!

One of the workers made hats for Bryce, Wes and Annie.  My mom and dad tried them on after.  It's a good look on them I think.

They fed us lunch before taking us to see the long neck tribe.

The long-neck tribe.  Most of these people came from Burma years ago.  The guide told us that they would originally wear the rings around their necks to avoid tiger bites, but then it evolved and became part of their culture.  They would add 1 ring every year or so.  The more rings they had around their necks, the more beautiful they were.  Most of them there didn't add the rings to stretch their necks out.  Some of them were making scarves, some were just waiting for us to come and see them.  It felt a little bit like a zoo... I don't know if I liked it and I don't know how much of it was authentic and how much was just for show.

Our guide put some tan/gold colored creme on our faces.  He said they wear it for decoration and protection from the sun.

It took about an hour and a half to get back to the main city.  Tanner, Annie and I went to dinner and got thai massages.   Wesley, Bryce, my mom and dad went to Doi Suthep to see the temple up above the city.

View from Wat Doi Suthep

We met up afterwards and headed to the airport to fly back to Bangkok so we would be ready for the floating market and Kanchanaburi the next day.