I just recently returned from Thailand where I spent my “fall” break in Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Phuket. The past week and a half that I spent in Thailand were some of the best days of my life! Prior to this trip, I had never before been to Asia and it was quite an experience! First I started out in Chiang Mai where I stayed at a small village with the natives in the area. That was a phenomenal experience, and the food they cooked for us was delicious! I also visited the Elephant Nature Park, which serves as a home and rehabilitation center for elephants who have been abused and mistreated in the logging, tourism, and entertainment industry in Thailand. While I was there I bathed an elephant in the river, which was really fun! Before I left Chiang Mai, I visited one of the most famous temples in all of Thailand, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. I had never visited a temple before, but it was a beautiful experience. It was really neat to learn about Buddhism and it’s role in Thai culture.
After exploring Chiang Mai, I caught a flight down to the islands and beaches of Thailand where I took a cooking class (I am now an expert in cooking Pad Thai!), went snorkeling, checked out some awesome bioluminescent plankton, and caught some amazing sunsets! It was definitely a trip I will never forget! I don’t know when, but I will certainly be back to Thailand within my lifetime!
The beautiful overlook from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, over Chiang Mai (top left), and the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple (top right). The entry way to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (309 STEEP steps!).
I got a fish pedicure where the fish eat your dead skin! It really tickled, but made my feet really soft and smooth!
Just another beautiful temple at the night market in Chiang Mai, and a Buddhist Ronald McDonald.
Our first night, we took a tuk tuk to our hotel! Scariest ride of my life, but super fun!
A typical Chiang Mai market, where they eat every part of the animal.
Pictures of me at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. I got to feed the elephant watermelon for lunch (top) and I got to hangout and pet Thai, the elephant (bottom). Both elephants were blind from having abuse they encountered while working in the logging industry.
My last night in Thailand, a beautiful Phuket sunset.