Muay Thai Boxing

One evening in Chiang Mai we attended a Thai boxing match. A lively crowd, lots of betting and yelling going on, and very ceremonial preamble to the actual match. We were also "entertained" (if you want to call it that) by music throughout the evening. Not sure I'd want to do it again but what the heck, it's a bit of the local scene.

Sights of Chiang Mai

You never know what you're going to find in the streets here - came upon Ronald McDonald giving the folded hand sign for "Sawadee" which means hello.

We strolled through the streets and here are some of our other random sights . . . lots of interesting people, many street vendors selling everything from food to scarves to beautiful crafts from the hill tribes in the area. We also visited an amazing Wat (temple) on New Year's Day and saw local dancers, people making offerings to Buddha, and many amazing statues.

Mae Hong Son

Arrived yesterday via 12 seater plane, very scenic mountainous area in far Northern part of Thailand, near Burmese (Myanmar) border. We're staying in a Tree Top hut over a valley that looks like The Mists of Avalon - breathtaking scenery. Off to an elephant ride this morning and then to hot springs in the afternoon. Will write more from Shangri-La later!

Sawadee Dy Pe Mai means Happy New Year

New Year's Eve in Thailand is magical. All over town, people purchase paper balloons which are lit on fire with oil and set off into the night sky. This is to sympbolize the old year going out and all evil spirits floating away in the new year. The sky is lit up with thousands of floating lights, like nothing you've ever seen before. Andy and Will bought a balloon and launched it, then we went to a rooftop party where fireworks ending the evening at midnight. It's impossible to catch on film or photos, but we tried . . . Sawadee Dy Pe Mai to everyone!~!

A Day with the Elephants

We spent the day volunteering at Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, where an amazing woman named Lek has rescued over 30 abused and injured elephants and returns them to their natural habitat. A little history: Logging was made illegal in 1989 and since then 2,500 elephants have been "out of work" and many people have taken them to the streets for begging and performing, where their quality of life is very poor. Some are hit by cars, physically abused, and many of them are very unhealthy and suffering from malnutrition. At Elephant Nature Park they are restored to health and vounteers help with the daily bathing, feeding and interaction. Here are a few shots from our inspiring day there. Note that Lek is tucked away under the baby elephant I'm standing next to - she's actually singing her a lullaby as it's naptime!