After an early start and a long journey in the minibus we arrived at the elephant compound, where we were introduced to the elephants.
Some people like this girl were brave enough to ride on them.
Next we watched the elephants being washed in the river. They very much enjoyed this but also seemed to enjoy soaking the watching crowd even more.
These are some Thai’ friends that I met that day and spent some time with. They were part of our group.
The elephants did a whole array of different tricks including playing football.
One of the cleverest and most entertaining things that the elephants did was painting pictures, the keeper held the paints for them and the elephants held the brushes in their trunks and painted.
Each of the elephants painted different pictures, on this occasion on paper but they also painted on T shirts.
The elephant below is preparing.
Starting to paint.
Checking the work so far.
Almost finished.
Just a few final touches.
That will do. Can’t spend any more time got a safari to do.
Not bad! For an elephant.
They also gave demonstrations of logging, which is what they are mainly employed on working on in the forests.
We then started on our safari, the seats were not very comfortable and I found it very difficult keeping my seat.
I shared my seat with Sueate a very nice Indian lady from London who was also with our group.
First we had to cross the river.
We trekked along the side of the river then into the forest for about half an hour.
Looking down at the river we can see the bamboo rafts similar to the ones that we will later be sailing back to base on.
Another couple from London today with a different group but I had met them previously on another outing.
Back across the river again.
Our group back on dry land ready to dismount.
We then took an ox cart ride to the point on the river where we alighted the bamboo rafts.
Here we are at the jetty.
I was surprised how stable they were, they were just 18 bamboo poles about 150mm diameter strapped together.
That’s what you call a hat!
Some of us had a go at punting, without much success. I refrained.
After the elephant safari, on the way home we stopped at a butterfly and orchid enclosure. This larvae is about 200mm long.
You will understand why the larvae is so large when you see the butterfly. Behind are the cocoons with yet un-hatched pupae in. The butterflies had a wing span of about 350mm maybe more
There were many other types there but not so spectacular.
The orchids were really incredible. These are just a few examples.
A couple of pictures of friends that helped to make it a very enjoyable day.
I spent some time in Chiang Mai with my friends in the evening, then the next morning it was off to K.L. for a couple of days, then Australia via Singapore.
