All Creatures Great and Small

Up at 6.45am to head off to make the most of our day off. The plan was to make it a mix of activity and relaxation.

We scootered off after a coffee and a bite to eat and headed north for the Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary experience.
After taking the slightly longer and more scenic route we arrived right on time for the 8.30 start.
A short video explaining the history of the sanctuary and how the 6 elephants we would be interacting with had all been rescued from cruel operations such as logging. A quick change into some rather unflattering ‘Elephant keeper’ clothes and we headed out to start feeding the elephants copious quantities of bananas and pumpkin. Everyone is encouraged to interact with them by touching, patting and even kissing!
Next was getting into a muddy dam with the elephants to give them a mud bath and they made sure we also go a bit of the same treatment.
We then emerged from that dam into a ‘clean’ dam to wash them (and ourselves) all down. Finally we said goodbye to the elephants, had a warm shower and then a swim in a really nice ‘human pool’. This was followed by some lunch which was excellent.

It was now the middle of the day and it was hot. We scootered about 40 minutes into central Chiang Mai to the Shangri-La hotel. For a small fee you can use the pool and facilities and this was most welcome. Drinks and a poolside snack and several swims was a great way to spend a couple of hours.

We eventually reluctantly left the Shangri-La and scootered out to the Chiang Mai Night Safari. The ethics of this very large establishment are somewhat less robust than the elephant sanctuary.
We din’t see any cruelty to any animals but they (especially the tigers) are very trained to perform ‘tricks’ and unnatural behaviour for the entertainment of the crowds.
The safari tram was well done. Many of the animals were of interest but we perhaps didn’t get as excited about the kangaroos and emus as some of the other visitors.

At the conclusion of the night predator display which was very well done, we bumped into Sam and Abi and the McGeorge boys who were there as a treat for Theo’s birthday.
On to the scooter again and off to Sense Garden for an hour long massage then One Nimman for a 10pm dinner.
A quick refuel on the way back to TLC and we had made the most of our free day - almost making it run into the next day :)Read more