Day 5: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, is nestled in the mountainous north and draped in charm, spice, and jungle mist. It’s famous across the country for its incredible food scene—and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. Last night, we dove into a street food tour, and it was a flavor explosion: sweet, spicy, salty, and everything in between. Once again, wish I had more stomachs.

But today, it was time to swap chopsticks for boots and explore the great outdoors.

Our first stop? An elephant sanctuary with serious heart. Elephants have played a huge role in Thailand’s history—from royal war companions to forest workers. Now, in peacetime and retirement, many live out their days in sanctuaries like the one we visited, where love and bananas are in plentiful supply.

We met a 7-month-old baby who was too cute for words, a very pregnant mama (a surprise pregnancy, oops!), and an 83-year-old grandma elephant who moved with the slow grace of someone who’s seen it all. We got to feed them, then joined them for a bath—which basically turned into an elephant splash party. Spoiler: they love water even more than we do.

Next came a dip in a natural pool beneath a lush waterfall—cool, clear, and oh-so-refreshing. Then things got wild: we were herded onto the back of a pickup truck like jungle-faring cattle and dropped off at a bamboo rafting spot. Picture this: eight poles of bamboo, roped together, floating us down a river with our butts halfway submerged.

The rafting crew? Two local teens—one clearly a pro, the other… still learning. The trainee managed to fall into the river three times and even lost his pole at one point. We couldn’t stop laughing (while low-key holding onto the raft for dear life). Still, thanks to our front-rower with sun-bleached hair and surprising skill, we made it through the rapids like champs.

As we floated downriver, we passed towering coconut trees, wildflowers bursting in color, and even a guy casually riding an elephant through the jungle. Chiang Mai’s magic is real. Today was equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and unforgettable.En savoir plus