10 Fun Things to Do in Chiang Mai in Thailand By Orson Johnson

10 Fun Things to Do in Chiang Mai in Thailand
By Orson Johnson

Chiang Mai in Thailand is a wonderful location visit, be it for the beaches, the delicious foods or to enjoy the local culture. Below we look at ten interesting things to do in Chiang Mai.

1. Visit the walled city - This is a beautiful ancient place that is home to about thirty temples which boast Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai influences. Here you can see beautiful carvings, intricately built staircases and golden pagodas.

2. Visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep - This is a splendid temple situated on a hillside. It has an intriguing history: The temple site was chosen by an elephant, which was allowed to roam at will. When it reached a particular site, the elephant trumpeted loudly, circled around several times and finally knelt down - an auspicious sign.

3. Take a trip to Maesa Elephant Camp - This is an elephant camp located on the hillside. Here you will be treated to a fascinating elephant show and even have the option to go on elephant rides.

4. Take a stroll around Bhuping Palace - This is a royal winter palace located on a hill. It has wide beautiful gardens and splendid architecture. It is open to the public whenever the royal family is not in residence. You will have to pay a small fee and abide by the dress code.

5. Interact with the animals at Chiangmai Zoo - The zoo is home to more than five thousands animals. These animals are housed in a cheerful open environment which gives you the illusion of actually being in a forest. Definitely a place the kids will enjoy.

6. Relax and go for a Thai Massage - If you want to relax, a Thai massage will definitely help you out in that department. Some massage parlours may be sleazy and dubious, so pay a little more for the legitimate ones that will have clean environment with relaxing music and scents in the background.

7. See Muay Thai fights at Kawila Boxing Stadium - Muay Thai is Thai boxing, and is the national sport of Thailand. The fights feature young amateurs, seasoned fighters as well as matches pitting local boxers against foreign ones.

8. Head for the Royal Floral Exposition - This is an exhibition which features more tens of thousands of species of orchid plants, and will be sure to interest even those who are not orchid lovers.

9. Shop at the Night Bazaar - This is a night market which goes on for miles and miles on Chiang Khlan Road. It is a must for shopping fanatics, who will be delighted with the low prices.

10. Head to Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center - This is a modern multimedia centre which will educate you on the different aspects of Chiang Mai's history and culture.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Chiang Mai accommodation and World vacation Rentals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Orson_Johnson

Discover the Beauty of Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand By Pinky Mcbanon

Discover the Beauty of Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand
By Pinky Mcbanon

This National park is located in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The park covers the highest mountain in Thailand which is the Doi Inthanon, as well as several other mountains. Visitors are advised to rent a car when touring around the park which will make it easy for everyone to explore the entire park.

The Doi Mountain is mostly a granite batholiths interfering the southern extension of the Shan Hills array and forming the division between the Nam Mae Ping River to the east and the Nam Mae Chaem River at its west. The lower altitude in the eastern parts of the park consists of limestone formations and contains several numbers of caves.

Plant life in the park differs with the occurrence of the conifers and pine tress in this chilly environment. There is also a "good luck shrine", just recently opened by the King near the peak. The Mae Klang waterfall is also found here which one of Thailand's finest spectacles, which has an enormous beauty and elegance.

The waterfall is a relaxing place for picnics and lunch. This waterfall is the much loved attraction in Doi Inthanon. The village of Chom Tong is found at the foot of the mountain considered as the favorite of many nature lovers.

The park is a delight for bird watchers as more than 383 species of different birds are been reportedly being seen in this region. Because of its nature-friendly atmosphere, no wonder this amazing park is a favored habitat of many animals.

The various sub mixture of forest formations at high elevations are a unique attraction of the park. Dominant species are found, the ones belonging to the temperate climate families rather than tropical. The top area supports the single red rhododendron in Thailand.

It blooms from December until February of each year. There is also the two white-blossomed species rich on Doi Inthanon which are limited to only a few other sites.

There are also guest houses within the park, where visitors can stay and rest after a day of strolling around the wonderful park. There are also a Visitor Centers where visitors can always ask for information whenever they find trouble getting around the park.

Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the most remarkable places in Thailand. Its vast beauty is truly a one of a kind spectacle every visitor coming from all over the world would love.

Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world!

Her blogs and websites focuses on stay-at-home moms, dads and students who wants to work at home, build homebased business http://www.mommyisworkingathome.com

Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia's Culture and Great Food! at http://www.goingplacesinasia.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pinky_Mcbanon

Buyer's Market in Chiang Mai By Tai Boonlert

Buyer's Market in Chiang Mai
By Tai Boonlert

If you're thinking about living somewhere in Asia, this is one happy possibility. When I sing the praises of Chiang Mai, Thailand to my friends and family back home, I find that what it all boils down to is that Chiang Mai is a fine place to visit, but a great place to live.

Visiting for a few days is a fine addition to anyone's travel agenda. There are hill tribe villages and elephant camps, and in the old city proper one finds temples and wats around every corner. There's a Sunday "impromptu" walking market which is one of the most beautiful and culturally authentic events this city has to offer.

Visiting for a few weeks is also an option to consider. Once you've traveled all the way here, if you can, you should stay. Chiang Mai attracts both new-agey types who come here to study massage, yoga, tai chi, or reiki healing, and on the flip side, Chiang Mai also attracts more macho adventuring types who rent big Kawasaki Ninjas or Harleys and torque their way around hare-pin turns in the mountain country that stretches from Chiang Mai to Burma.

It also counts it's fair share of "regular" types who are here just for Thai cooking classes, or to shop for carved teak furniture or silk cushions.

For the rest, the people who decide to call Chiang Mai home for a month, a year, or until death do they depart, the reasons to do so are plentiful. It's a bite-sized Asian city, but brimming with a steady surplus of truly affordable niceties.

It has better weather due to it's mountainous location, plus Chiang Mai is plunk in the middle of most Asian destinations, like Laos, Vietnam and China to the north, and KL, Singapore and Bali to the south, making it an ideal base for extended Asian travel. It is safe, scams and rip-offs are far and few between, people are friendly and tolerant, and in general it is a relaxed, easy-going place. It's a college town too, so the Thai youth culture here also adds a lot of life.

Go through the alternatives - Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Jakarta, Seoul - and you have important city capitals that are fairly uniform experiences of unplanned concrete urban sprawl, stress, pollution and traffic jams.

Chiang Mai is no Shangri-La, but in comparison it is a small miracle - a nice, cozy, manageable city, yet one that still manages to thrive with competing restaurants, guesthouses, eateries, cafes, boutiques, massage places, internet cafes, bars, etc.

This is probably the underlying reason it is a top destination for long-term travelers, retirees and expats who want to stay in Asia and recognize the great value Chiang Mai offers. It's a buyer's market. Too many cafes means plenty of good cafes all doing their best to be the best. Too many guesthouses and apartments means no one will have trouble finding a place in their budget. And then of course there is the food.

Provided you are up for eating more than pizza or steak, you can eat fantastic meals for just a dollar or two. And Chiang Mai is exploding with options, far, far more than there really should be. Many people who live here eat out every day twice a day, and boredom is not a problem.

So, here's another not-so-secret secret about relocating to the "Land of Smiles" - you can stay here on a tourist visa, for years. And years. And it's not a problem. You simply have to go to a Thai embassy outside of Thailand, apply for a 2-month tourist visa, enter Thailand, and then extend it for another month after that to remain three months in-country.

Then, repeat. You can travel by overnight bus to Laos to do it, or fly to Malaysia, China, Seoul, Australia, etc. and do it there. There are also student visas, retirement visas, work visas, and marriage visas to be had. It's just not that hard or complicated to remain here, and Thailand tacitly wants you to stay as well - it's a well-accepted though unspoken part of their current economic well-being.

As for places to stay in this city, again, it's a buyer's market. There are upscale condos you can buy or rent (owners are often out-of-town for part of the year), fully furnished suburban houses in gated communities, service apartments with cable TV, internet, laundry service and all types of amenities, cheap-o student apartments, down-low guesthouses where the owner cooks a dinner for guests every night, and of course a full spectrum of hotels and resorts. FYI - if you want to splurge and stay in high style at a resort/hotel for more than a week, be sure and see if they offer a monthly rate as it may be a better bargain than even ten days of paying day-by-day.

For the casual low-budget visitor, here is a little nitty-gritty. You can buy excellent clothes very cheaply here, the pharmacies are just like the ones where you come from (so no, you don't need to bring four months' worth of deodorant and shampoo), you don't need to get any special vaccines, and to get around, you can rent a small motorcycle (like the ubiquitous Honda Dream) for about $US 5 a day, or a bicycle for God knows how cheaply.

You can even save a little money on a dentist trip at home and get your teeth done here - it's on average half the price of the U.S.

So, if you want to live abroad, for a week, a month, or the rest of your life, consider Chiang Mai. Just bring some money, some good rugged flip-flops, and your camera. It's really that simple.

Hi.

I am Tai from Thaiapartments.net. Please don't forget to visit our website. We made it easy! Just put in your search criteria, or use the map, and away you go to finding a great place to stay in Chiang Mai in no time. Zero commissions or fees - this is a free, up-to-date and easy-to-use site.

http://www.chiangmai.thaiapartments.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tai_Boonlert

A Beautiful, Amazing Must See Place in Thailand, Chiangmai By Stephan Suttikarn

A Beautiful, Amazing Must See Place in Thailand, Chiangmai
By Stephan Suttikarn

Among the many places in Thailand Chiangmai comes well recommended, and for very good reasons. Travelers point to the many amazing sights and things to do in this laidback city situated in the Himalayan foothills.

For visitors exploring Thailand, Chiangmai never ceases to amaze. Small wonder luxury hotels (like Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai) near this destination are frequented by travelers who want to be near where the popular sights and activities are.

With Buddhist temples and other historic sites to the majestic mountains, the handicrafts, the shopping finds, people, the food and bustling night life, Chiangmai offers no dull moment for the curious and adventuresome traveler.

While in Thailand, Chiangmai is the kind of place that will strike you as serene because most of the people are not rushing about as they do in other key cities around the world. It may as well be referred to as a pastoral paradise, the kind you are likely to read about in books. Imagine getting all cozy in a nice, well-appointed villa that looks out to hushed paddy-fields and lush hills and mountains beyond them. It's a perfect place to commune with nature and feel close to God.

Actually, for people who visit Northern Thailand, Chiangmai offers respite as a spiritual haven. Pilgrims visit one of the most revered temples of the Thais - the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is actually an awe-inspiring 14th century Buddhist architectural showcase. The temple was erected in 1386 by King Keuna the Great.

Legend has it that the temple's site was chosen when an elephant carrying half of a holy relic ascended the mountains after several days and circled the temple spot before kneeling down and dying. A visit to Thailand Chiangmai particularly, will not be complete without seeing the sacred temple.

There are other lovely temples in Chiangmai. You can explore the oldest to the noblest ones, including the Wat Suan Dok, which holds the ashes of Chiang Mai's former Royal Family members.

In another chapel lies one of Thailand's largest icons in metal - a 500-year old bronze Buddha. You may also want to visit the temple compound where the divine Lai Kham chapel, with its remarkable murals and woodcarvings, is situated,

For a dose of history, there is another must-see while exploring Thailand Chiang Mai National Museum will fascinate you no end with its collection of Lanna Thai artworks, ancient, war weaponry, and antique Buddha images.

Shopaholics are also bound to have a heyday at Thailand's night bazaars. For those who would rather watch artisans at work in the villages, a number of cottage industries and handicrafts ranging from parasols, silk weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, silverware, and lacquerware, to name a few, may suit you fine.

Are you raring for an anthropological adventure? Try a river cruise that travels down The Chang pier. This is where elephants used to haul logs from the river in the old days. The pier derived its name from the king's elephants, which used to bathe on that site.

You will see some of Thailand's firsts - first bridge, first post office, and other interesting sites and get a whiff of the including lifestyles of the locals who dwelled on opposite sides of the river, plus some historic spots along the riverbanks. All these you can enjoy at a leisurely pace. Check out online travel resources for Thailand and you are bound to have a fantastic experience you will be able to delightfully recount to your family and friends.

http://www.theluxuryhotelsthailand.com/category/northern-hotels/chiang-mai-hotels-northern-hotels/ - thailand chiangmai.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephan_Suttikarn

Chiang Mai Deals - 10 Ways to Eat Cheaper in Thailand's Cultural Center By James Druman

Chiang Mai Deals - 10 Ways to Eat Cheaper in Thailand's Cultural Center
By James Druman

Known for rock-bottom eating expenses, most visitors to Thailand nevertheless overspend on food, but in Chiang Mai, deals are just around every corner. The more adventurous traveler who seeks a more authentic Thai experience or wants to make his/her travel money go even further can find cheaper, and often tastier, alternatives if they know what to look for. Many other long-term visitors are baffled when I tell them of my favorite venues, where I get a huge plate of yellow rice with fried chicken, a cup of fish soup, half of a sliced cucumber, and ice water for 50 baht (1.43 USD). And that is on one of the most Westernized islands in Thailand!

In Chiang Mai, it gets even better. There is no reason why you cannot eat a full meal for 30 baht (86 cents) in this town, but I have also managed to hunt down places where you can eat a full meal with ice water included for 10 baht (10 cents) or get noodle soup for 3 baht (9 cents)!

After living here for eight and a half months, I have come up with these ten tips:

1: Take a Hike--
Forgo the motorbike or tuk tuk your first day or two in a new location. Skip the taxis and walk. This slows you down and gives you a feel for the place like no motorized transport ever can. The cheap eateries are often barely noticeable, as they are often in people's homes, and signs which whizzed by on the bike are attention grabbers at a walking pace. Whoah--noodle soup for 20 baht! Know your surroundings, and you will know how to best take advantage of them.

2. Avoid the Tourist Traps--
This should go without saying, but most people are too tempted by the wide array of options in the main tourist junctions to bother venturing beyond the action. Even in chaotic Bangkok, all one has to do is walk one block either direction from Khao San Road to find delicious meals for around 30 baht and walk away full (free water or iced tea included). Did you come to Thailand to eat Thai food or hamburgers and pasta?

3. Don't Judge a Book by...
Yawn. That age old adage once again...If you have heard it once...Ahem. Anyhow, it rings true yet again. In Thailand, the extra dollar or two in pricier restaurants is usually a reflection of increased decor rather than increased quality. In fact, the vice versa is sometimes a better rule of thumb. When you pay more, you are paying for ambience. That's is great if this is what you want, but if you are looking for better food at lower prices, look for establishments with the bare necessities. Plastic furniture that doesn't match. An absence of music. An antique television set blaring Thai soap operas. Hokey thrown-together decor. Many of these places are just extensions of the Thai entrepreneur's home, and dining there will give you a much closer look at Thai culture.

4. You Just Can't Beat the Streets--
The entire world over you will find open-air street food, and it is usually the best value in any given area. This is particularly true in Southeast Asia. Sometimes you will find the usual collection of plastic furniture out front and full service, but often you will just get a small, disposable dish or be expected to eat out of a plastic bag. If it is close enough to finger food, I tell them to save the plastic and eat it out of my hands, but of course it depends on if I'm eating a piece of barbecued chicken or chicken curry.

5. Forage at the Food Markets--
Chiang Mai's cheapest venues offer an amazing culinary adventure, and the markets are a revelation to anyone who has never had the pleasure. Pick your way through the various stalls, sampling new dishes, or hit the collection of cheap roadside eateries which often accompany traditional markets. My favorite part about the markets is they stay open until the early hours of the morning, so if I am on my way back from the disco I can stop and fill up. I'll tell you what--it's a lot better than pulling through the late-night Burger King drive-throughs in America...The best Chiang Mai deals are found in the marketplaces.

6. Compare Prices--
Do not be shy about walking in to a restaurant, browsing the menu, and then leaving. Thais appreciate competition. If you feel guilty, simply smile and say, "Pop kan mai (see you again)." Do this on your walking tours to get a grasp of the local prices and to see what your options are.

7. Be Adventurous--
Try new things, even if they scare you. You might be surprised. Many foods which seem alien to Westerners will be cheap because tourists avoid them. Also, reconsider your notion of cleanliness. In your home country clean may mean pretty, but, to Thais, clean is simply clean. If a lot of people are eating there, you can rest assured the food is likely safe. Don't blame me if you get Bangkok belly--it is going to happen to you whether you follow my advice or not. Stomach problems in Thailand are an initiation every Westerner experiences, but it is far more often the result of bacteria or spices your body is not used to rather than sanitation issues. Don't worry. :-)

8. When in Rome...
Ah! Not another cliché...Go where the locals go! This is probably the most important, and most often overlooked, guideline to eating cheaply. Many of the local Thais are living on less 10,000 baht or less a month, and even those with more money naturally seek out the best food at the lowest prices. If I want to find a new place to eat with delicious and sanitary food, I just drive around and look for a small crowd of Thai people eating outside, but it is even better if you have a Thai friend from Chiang Mai to show you around.

9. Speak Thai--
In Thailand, there is almost always a Thai price and a "farang" price. No matter how long you stay, this will apply to you as well--you will never "become" Thai in any sense. However, open up to people and try to speak their language and you may often receive a discounted price or larger portions, especially if you're a regular customer. One time at the Chiang Mai Aquarium, I received a major discount off the stated entrance fee after attempting broken Thai. "Raakha thourai (how much)?" I repeated, thinking I had misunderstood. "Speak Thai--get Thai price," the young girl said with a smile.

10. Manipulate the Menu--
Do you really have to eat meat with EVERY dish? I opted for a pad thai with vegetable instead of with chicken one time, and it was topped with an omelette so big it covered the entire dish to compensate (not exactly vegetarian, afterall lol). It ended up being one of the best pad thais I've ever had. Do they offer special dishes served on rice for individuals (always a fantastic bargain)? Sometimes, there is no apparent price motive between different dishes, and the reasoning is a mystery. If you are on a budget, choose wisely. Let's face it-everything on the menu is delicious!

And one more, just for good measure...

11: Eat with the Thais--
Though you should never purposely take advantage of this, Thais are some of the most generous people in the world. Stumble upon a Thai party and you will be ushered into a chair to be force-fed Thai whiskey and delicious food, even if you have no reason to be there. Say you are full and you're plate will be repeatedly refilled. If this happens to you, DO NOT offer to pay. It would be an insult, although, if you accompany less well-off Thais to a restaurant you are expected to pay. One night, while waiting to catch the morning boat across the river to Laos, I crashed a Teacher's Cub karaoke party and ended up buddying up with the school director. We got wasted, sang "Stand by Me" for the crowd, and he invited me to come stay with his family for an extended period. If you really get in well with Thais you may have the pleasure to attend a delicious Thai home BBQ. Bring a bottle or two of beer. If you are settling in for the long-term, you may even end up throwing a few of these at your place. Not to worry--there are plenty of places to purchase heaps of cheap meat and vegetables.

In Chiang Mai, deals are not hard to come by, no matter what kind of bargain you are looking for. Even if you prefer fine dining, classy clubs, and luxury hotels, you will surely find a value that far exceeds the money you spend.

Chok dee khrab!

James Druman is a writer, entrepreneur, and world traveler currently living in Chiang Mai, the enchanting northern mountain destination known as Thailand's cultural center. To learn more about living and traveling in this fascinating city, visit http://www.thechiangmaiholiday.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Druman

'Wat' to Do in Chiang Mai By Aaron James

'Wat' to Do in Chiang Mai
By Aaron James

Chiang Mai is Thailand's second city and lies 700km (440 miles) north of crowded Bangkok. In many ways Chiang Mai is a world away from the bustling cosmopolitan capital. Set in a fertile valley encircled by rolling green hills, teak forests and work elephants are more commonplace in Northern Thailand than five star hotels.

Travelers are drawn to this ancient Northen Capital for its beautiful countryside which lends itself to trekking holidays, its unique culture and dress, arts and handicrafts and its well-preserved temples, called 'Wats'.

Visit the Chiang Mai Wats
Within the square-moated old city of Chiang Mai there are 36 wats, and many more in the surrounding area. Each wat has its own history, buddhas and treasures and its own fabulous architecture. The temples typically have pagoda-style roofs, some gilded with gold leaf to gleam in the sun.

Other wats have many white-washed chedi, rounded forms which often contain ashes of the dead. Carvings and ornate decoration abounds. The buddhas come in all colors and sizes and were often carved from semi-precious stones such as emerald. Others are covered in gold. The saffron-robed monks still attend their duties and maintain their simple lifestyle within the wats today.

Shopping
While Bangkok is the place for air-conditioned shopping malls and night markets, shopping here is on a simpler level. Handicrafts are the big attraction. Embroidery, weaving and silver jewelry are made by the semi-nomadic tribespeople who live in the jungle-covered hills surrounding Chiang Mai. Other cottage industries which sustain these people include woodcarving, pottery, silk weaving, lacquerware and paper parasols which make great souvenir gifts.

Excursions from Chiang Mai
Hiking is popular in this beautiful area and there are some interesting places to explore. The imposing mountain of Doi Suthep is just 15 km (10 miles) west of Chiang Mai and is a popular trip. Wat Phrathat is perched close to the summit and can be reached by climbing 290 steps, but most are glad to use the funicular in the steamy heat! Erected in the 14th century, the gilded chedi, two sanctuaries and cloisters still remain.

It is hard not to be distracted from the lavish decoration by the magnificent panoramic views from this wonderful perspective. Just beyond Doi Suthep is the Phuping Palace, a royal residence whose gardens are open to the public from Friday through Sunday.

A couple of miles further on is the Hmaong hilltribe village, an authentic if somewhat commercialized community which is a great place to pick up handmade crafts.

Another pleasant excursion from Chiang Mai is to Lamphun, 26km(16 miles) south of the city. The road is lined with huge trees showing how dense the forest once was. The highlight of this town, which is on the site of Haripunchai, the first century capital of the Mon dynasty, is the Wat Phra That Haripunchai. Built in 1044AD, this compound has stunning architecture in its various buildings, dominated by a 50m (164ft) high chedi. There is also a small local museum.

The author is an Asia based frequent traveler and runs a number of travel and Thailand related websites including Thailand Hotel Reservations. A self-confessed hotel freak, he plans on staying in and reviewing as many Chiang Mai hotels as possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_James

Elephant Trekking and Bamboo Rafting in Chiang Mai By Tim Fox

Elephant Trekking and Bamboo Rafting in Chiang Mai
By Tim Fox

I had always wanted to ride on an elephant, so after I had been relaxing for a couple of days after arriving in Chiang Mai I decided to pop to my hotels' booking desk to inquire about the trips available.

After spending some time looking through the many different combinations available I decided to go for an elephant trek, followed by a visit to a couple of hill tribes before finishing off with a trip down a river on a Bamboo raft.

At 8.30am the following morning, I walked to the hotel lobby to find my tour guide already waiting for me, so pleasantries exchanged I hopped into the van. I was the first pick up of the morning, and we picked up 4 more intrepid travellers form various hotels in Chiang Mai.

After about an hour of driving we arrived at the elephant camp, we spilled out of the people carrier, and crossed a small rope bridge to where our next transport was happily munching on palm leaves. After a brief introduction and talk from our guide, we were off.

Getting on the elephant was no problem, with a wooden platform at the height of the elephant we literally just stepped on to the animal.

The ride itself was maybe an hour through the mountainous jungle, we didn't seem to be following a path, just crashing through the vegetation. I'd always imagined an elephant ride to be a lot smoother for some reason, but it was more like a fair ground ride, although this may have had something to do with the steepness of the incline we were going up, or maybe the fact my animal was far too interested in eating anything it came across than follow the instructions its Mahout was barking out.

The worst moment was getting off the animal, the dutch couple on the elephant in front of me was the first to try to dismount, again onto a wooden platform, but as the lady stepped onto the platform, her elephant decided it was fed up standing there and move away, one of the tour guides tried to hold but to no avail and she fell maybe 10 feet to the forest floor, luckily she was OK, just a few bumps and scratches, how she didn't break anything I'll never know, maybe she was an acrobat in earlier life!

After this incident I was understandably relieved that my animal stayed where it should and I got onto the platform safely.

After saying good bye to the elephants, we were back in the people carrier, and we drove for 30 minutes to visit an Hmong village, an indigenous hill tribe, where the women were still weaving in the traditional way passed down through the generations for hundreds of years. It was also an opportunity for the local children to mob some unsuspecting tourists to see what money they could get out of us.

After spending some time in the village, I loved the massive pigs tethered under the houses, we walked through the jungle to a beautiful waterfall, where we were all able to take a dip and cool off. Our guide then hurried us along a jungle track through the most luscious green I have ever seen in my life, before we entered a White Karen village, and again were able to look around and see how these people lived. It was quite humbling to see the very basic way these people still lived, and I was struck at how happy and contented these people seemed compared to us in the west with all our mod cons.

The food they gave us for lunch was superb, just a very simple vegetable and rice dish with some omelette and glasses of ice cold water, meant we were able to relax in the shade and chat amongst ourselves.

After lunch we drove a short distance to the Bamboo rafting, I suppose in my mind I thought they would be like little boats, but it was basically some big thick bamboo poles lashed together and that was it, we were going to get wet!! With 3 people on each raft, we were spaced out evenly along the rafts length, we set off with our 'driver' standing at the front, using a long thin pole to push us in any given direction. It was a slow and very quiet drift down the river, occasionally shattered by groups of children on the banks diving in as we went passed. This was the highlight of my day, just drifting down the river, hearing the birdsong and insects.

It was great when I got a turn to stand up and use the pole to direct us, I felt like I was stepping back in time, although the 'poleman' on the raft behind thought it would be highly amusing to splash his pole right next to me as to try and scare me so I might fall in, but luckily I seemed to have my sea legs and was able to just laugh with him while retaining my balance.

After maybe 30 minutes we stopped and were given the opportunity to buy a photograph of us on the rafts, which I did.

We were then driven back and dropped off at our hotels, not before arranging to meet up for a beer and a laugh later that evening. A truly magical day.

Tim Fox has been visiting Thailand for 8 years. For more information please visit http://totalchiangmai.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Fox