We're back from a day at the elephant camp, dropped off at the Secret Garden by our guide, Lulu. It was a great day and we're now happy but completely exhausted after first learning how to ride an elephant, and then riding one up and down a steep trail for an hour. We rode in pairs and detailed information will follow on the relative advantages and disadvantages of riding up front on the elephant's neck, or farther back. We were pleased with our elephant, Man Noy ("Little Mother") but it's not the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B.
Stay tuned for photos and possibly a video in the days ahead but now it's time for a shower and a gin and tonic as we start our final evening in Chiang Mai.
Kathy and Brian
Two retired educators alternating joyfully between seeing the world and enjoying our eight grandchildren (in order of birth), Jake, Avery, Taegan, Lily, Peyton, Riley, Blane, and Jace.
Kathy and Brian met in the clarinet section of the University of California (Santa Barbara) Symphony Orchestra several decades ago.
Brian's Western Canadian roots and Kathy's Colorado ties resulted in their making beautiful music together along with producing a cross-border crop of descendants.
Kathy spent a year studying in Vienna at the Institute for European Studies and the University of Vienna.
Brian started the school band program in Hope, British Columbia, and later became the high school's vice-principal for 6 years and subsequently principal for 15 years before retiring in 2001.
Kathy, in between raising our three children, taught kindergarten and first grade, middle school, and high school - mathematics, computer studies, ESL, and her first love, band, before retiring in 2001.
We enjoy sharing our travel experiences and providing the odd travel tip to friends, relatives, and visitors.