Chang Mai

This was our first stop in Asia. I had heard lots of things about Asia, like that it was chaotic, loud and very different. Because of these rumors, when we boarded the plane for Bangkok, I was kind of nervous. But, I did not have any culture shock at all. Because, now it seems like things can’t be different if everything is different. In other words, different is just the usual this year.

All throughout Thailand, when I see a drink called butterfly pea tea, I have to get it! It is so good. It’s a sweet herbal tea that is good warm or hot. They also have it in some butterfly pea tea lemonade. The tea is blue, but when you put lemon in it, it turns purple!

Elephant Rescue 

We knew that elephant interaction was a common and popular thing to do in Chang Mai. The only thing was, how ethical was it really? Well, my parents researched it and it isn’t very good for the elephants. However, there were some rescue organizations that my dad said were good. Like the Elephant Nature Park. We booked a visit. As we got there, we learned that there were also 400 dogs and even more cats at the rescue park. We had a good lunch and then headed out. We got to stand by the elephants and take photos. We also got to watch them and feed them bananas, squash and cucumbers. They said the elephants had been rescued from logging or tourist camps where people are allowed to ride the elephants. We saw one elephant that was physically unable to get around much, because she had broken her leg in a logging camp. One elephant was blind because she also worked in a logging camp and when she got pregnant the people at the logging camp still wanted her to work. She got mad and then they stabbed her in the eyes. The elephants were such intelligent creatures. It was amazing being so close to them. I felt so bad for them because of their past,  but I hope that they are happy now. The elephants were brown and had long eyelashes. They looked quite different than the African Elephants. It was an amazing experience. It is important we don’t participate in animal cruelty and support the organizations that are making an effort to help. Please don’t ride the elephants; they are not animals to be ridden. It hurts their spine to carry so much weight. Also, if you see a place that says no riding but you can go into the river with the elephants, please don’t book this either. The elephants at these camps are forced into the water everyday and it is bad for their skin. They need mud to act as sunscreen, and when they go in the river it all washes off. Elephants are not pets, nor selling points nor servants. Elephants are intelligent, emotional wild animals.

Temples 

The temples were incredible, and mind boggling. They were intricate. The shiny paint and jewels glittered in the sun. After a long day of temple-seeing you could get templed out, though.

Fish spa

One night, we walked by a place that said: Beary Fish Spa. Rows of tanks with little fish were swimming around in the tanks. Apparently, the little fish eat the dead skin on your feet. It sounded kinda gross but kind of cool. I asked if I could do it and my parents said yes. When I stuck my feet in, all of a sudden, the fish started biting at my feet. It didn’t hurt, though; it just tickled. A lot. 

Cultural performance, dinner, center

My parents had booked a dinner at the cultural center. We sat down on mats with our legs crossed. On the small table in front of us there was sticky rice and an assortment of bowls filled with delicious food. We ate and then the performance started. During one act, a man came up on stage and did a dance with knives balanced on his back, shoulders, knees, and arms. The cultural center was great.

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NEXT STOP: CHANG RAI