World Tour Stop 20 - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai was our next stop and a place that I have heard a million amazing stories about from so many friends that have traveled to Southeast Asia. So here's the thing. I think wildlife and natural wonders are amazing and I hope at some point in my life that I can say I've seen every corner of the world and met as many amazing creatures as possible. This city gave us an opportunity to interact with 2 (!) of those amazing species in a very small area. We are also very conscious and aware that tourists fuel industries that hurt wildlife, force them into conditions that are terrible and not healthy, teach species to fear man, and cage animals that are just not meant to be confined, so it was really important for us to make these experience about learning and providing money towards helping endangered species to grow and thrive in the lands that we've taken from them and the poaching we've exposed them to through our selfish and capitalistic nature.

With that said, Chiang Mai provided us an opportunity to go to the Happy Elephant Sanctuary where we met 6 elephants, 4 females that had been in really rough lives prior to being rescued and brought to the sanctuary (jobs in logging, circuses or tourist transportation) as well as two babies that are thriving in this new and much improved environment. This experience was incredible. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the sanctuary where we were able to immediately get to work. We fed bananas to the new mom and got to meet the new baby (1 month young and so stinking rambunctious).

From here we went and changed into the appropriate clothing to work with the elephants as they are familiar with people in these clothes and would know that we are friends. The garb was some large parachute pants and then a multi-colored poncho.

We were also given woven baskets to carry around the sugar cane that we would chop and feed to the elephants, and we had our names written in Thai and put on our hands which was cool to see.

From here we walked around to where the elephants were grazing and were able to feed them treats and take pictures with them. They are big and sneaky at getting that sugar cane!

From here we walked them down to a pit where they were able to roll in the mud and cool down from the hot sun. This was so fun to see the baby boy (3 yrs) get down and dirty and actually lay down fully in the mud.

From here we let the elephants keep playing and we went and had lunch back at the main center. We were able to cook this ourselves by boiling noodles and adding what we wanted (meatballs, bits of chicken, bean sprouts, etc.) The meal was delicious.

After lunch we walked with the elephants down to the river where they could play and bathe and wash off some of the mud that they'd acquired. This was a really fun and intimate feeling walk where we felt like part of the pack.

After leaving the elephants to their afternoon of fun further away from the center we walked back up and were able to change back into our clothes and discuss some of the things we learned. We also revisited the baby elephant and we met the local dog that I obviously fell in love with.

As said previously, this was such a cool experience and I loved getting to know this family of elephants and spend a day in their lives. I truly hope that more people around the world could see what majestic creatures elephants are and that big game hunting or poaching is unacceptable, and these smart and thoughtful creatures also shouldn't be used for labor or tourism. I highly recommend visiting Happy Elephant Sanctuary and continuing safe practices and activism.

Our next day in Chiang Mai we did another excursion to the Tiger Kingdom. Again, visiting endangered species that are hunted specifically for what their perceived black market value is. The Bengal Tiger and White Tiger that we visited with are almost exclusively in zoos or sanctuaries as their habitats have been destroyed or they have been hunted to near extinction. It was incredible to sit in the habitats with the tigers, to feed them and to really get up close an personal.

First, we met the three giant Bengal tigers (brothers) and to say I wasn't terrified would be a lie. But, I was able to rub on them, lay on them and pat their big ole butts.

These three boys were pretty whatever about us. but I must say that I am forever changed by meeting them.

Second. we visited with the white tigers and these guys were a little more interested in play time and messing around. The one we played with the most had a dopey grin on his face which was super adorable.

And finally we were able to meet the four (two boys and two girls) 6 month old babies that were enjoying some inside time with lots of enrichment. And yes, at six months they were already over 80lbs.

Again, an incredible experience that we were able to have and one that I don't believe we ever could have had in the United States. This entire sanctuary is made for the re-population of the species and to hopefully reverse the negative effects that the human race has had on these incredible animals. Again, this was something that you definitely can't miss when visiting Chiang Mai.

The last activity that I did in Chiang Mai was that I took a bike tour which allowed me to experience the city, try a food market and learn about the Buddhist temples and religion. I wrote a prayer for my family members and was blessed by monks as well as learned the history of Chiang Mai which actually stands for "New City" which was so surprising for a many thousand year old city.

The one thing to note was how many temples that I would never be allowed to enter by simple fact of being a woman. Buddhism is rooted in being clean and having your cycle is considered dirty, so anyone born as woman with a monthly cycle would be barred from entry.

At the foot market we tried Thai pancakes, mangoes and sticky rice and mango smoothies. All were perfectly fresh and delicious.

Chiang Mai was amazing and I would definitely go back and re-experience every moment.