8 January 2016
Happy New Year 2016 everyone! I hope that all who are reading this will have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
I made no resolution this year about keeping the blog up to date...as in previous years, I will post when I think I have something noteworthy and when I have time! Today I have both and also the inspiration, so here we go!
In December, Rod and I took a much needed vacation to Thailand and Myanmar. It was our Adventure Christmas. It was like no other Christmas for either of us. Of course we missed our family and we are looking forward to seeing them later in 2016. We have learned over the years living here in China that traveling from one winter location (Shenyang) to another winter location (
Cincinnati or Louisville) is just too risky for travel this time of year..so rather than get days sucked up waiting in airports for snow delays etc, we have chosen to move our travel to the US to fare climate days.
If I were to write about all of the locations we visited during our 3 weeks, it would be too long, so this post is uniquely about Chiang Mai, Thailand.
We had been to Bangkok before (where I had my passport stolen in 2011!) and so this time we wanted to explore a different part before joining the Viking River cruise in Bangkok. Chiang Mai is in the northern part of Thailand. We really didn't know much about it other than from our friends who went there and told us it was beautiful...and they were right!
As soon as we got there we ventured out to a night market. I just enjoyed looking at the different colors and sights...but too many people for my taste, so we didn't stay out long.
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| Paper lanterns at the Chiang Mai night market...I just loved the colors...but resisted buying one! |
The next day, we booked some tours and started our day going on a tour of the temples in old Chiang Mai city.
Temples
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| Merry Christmas from Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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| Rod with one of the big gongs at the Bhuddist temple in Chiang Mai |
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| One of the monks studying in Chiang Mai |
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| One of the tamples in Chiang mai |
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| Outside the temple is an area where they pay homage to the King. The King of Thailand is loved and revered. I just loved the red umbrellas and colors around his portrait in Chiang Mai |
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| Sarah in the area around the temple in Chiang Mai |
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| I'm a sucker for a pretty window and flowers! |
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| The row of prayers bells under red umbrellas at Chiang Mai..on a bamboo board walk. I loved the colors here too! |
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| One of the stupas behind the temple at Chiang Mai..look closely and you'll see the base is all built on the backs of concrete elephants...probably some real elephants involved in building it years ago. Elephants have a special place in Thailand not only because of their strength, but because of the story of Budda's mother is said to have a dream about a white elephant when she was pregnant with Buddah. (there are infinity Buddah's...not sure which one involves the white elephants) |
Walking with and Riding the Elephants
The next day we went on an elephant camp. It used to be that the elephants where used in
logging and so many elephants were trained for several years before they
could be used effectively. There are still some used today for logging
in difficult areas , but not too many. The camp we visited was no
longer used for real work...only tourists from what I could see. It was
very interesting none the less and we got to be up close and personal
(to include taking a ride on one!) After the ride, we went on a leisurely float down the river on a bamboo raft, then to top off the day, we had a meal at a country restaurant (good food!) and got to visit an orchid garden...I didn't even know it was on the itinerary..what a treat!
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| Rod and Sarah at the entrance to the elephant camp...standing on a suspension bridge we just walked over...see next pic! |
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| The entrance to the elephant camp...it's a little wobbly! |
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| Rod and Sarah with some elephants in the background walking in the river...we would be doing that too a little later! |
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| Our view from the top of the elephant |
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| The picture of the picture of our elephant ride...had to buy that one! |
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| After the elephant ride, we floated on the river in a raft..Rod looking pretty handsome and relaxed as we watched the world go by! |
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| Yes, it's a real bamboo raft...no plastic involved...what a nice way to spend an after noon...breathing alot of fresh air! |
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| And if elephant riding wasn't enough, we got to get up close and personal with the orchids...I was just loving this! |
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| More orchids in Chiang Mai |
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| Sarah in the orchid patch...can't wipe the smile off her face! |
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| More orchids...perfect ending to a wonderful day in Chiang Mai, Thailand |
Zipline with the Gibbons!
Rod and I had seen great photos of our friends and family doing a zipline ride, and we both and done repelling when we were younger...but we had never done a zipline ourselves. So when we saw that, we decided to give it a try..and so glad we did! This one advertised being able to see some Gibbons (a type of monkey, but with no tail) in the trees in addition to playing in the tree tops. How could we turn that down!? So off we went to have our first zipline experience!
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| Hiking up the hill to get to the zip line start.all in all there would be 10 zip lines...lots of fun! |
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| Zipping in the trees in the forest north of Chiang mai |
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| Ready for some fun! |
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| And she flies through the air with the greatest of ease! |
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| We did get to see some gibbons...way up in the trees...not like we were swinging side by side with them, but nice to see them all the same. |
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| Jumping off backwards! |
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| Last line of the day...a tandem vertical drop...so cool! A perfect photo opp from the top! |
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| The forest floor where we were zip lining...it was a really pretty area in the forest. |
After 4 days in Chiang Mai, we flew out to meet up with the Viking River cruise group in Bangkok. That will be another post. We thoroughly enjoyed Thailand...warm, clean air, new sights and adventures..everything the doctor ordered!
Until next time, thanks for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Sarah and Rod
So good to see you two having the health, spirit and fun for this adventure. Hugs, Thomas
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing trip just from these highlights! Amazing pictures! You are so wise to have gone to warmer places rather than be stuck in airports trying to come to the States to see so many for a short time! I know you miss family, though!
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