Chiang Mai Day 3 - Chai Lai Orchid

The title of our day is a bit misleading… there wasn’t a delicate orchid to be found. Instead the day was filled with gentle giants, i.e., elephants, and what seemed to be a living-breathing episode of Survivor.

Chai Lai Orchid is an elephant camp where you can feed, bathe and walk with the elephants. Riding these majestic animals is no longer an option… bummer!🙁👎🏼

Day began with being picked up in a truck, where we rode in the back (no seatbelts 😬) for 1+ hours to the camp. Not quite the cattle trucks we rode in Guatemala but close! Upon arrival it was check-in and go-time.

Our guide, Jackie Chan (his guide name, not Thai name but we 100% appreciated it) swooped us up and off we went.

Started with a raft trip along the river on bamboo rafts… followed by 5 miles of hiking beautiful mountain sides, stopping to take-in one of God’s waterfalls.

During our travels, Jackie Chan stopped along the way showing us different leaves and plants that are used for things like medicine, shampoo and cooking. Jackie Chan’s tribe is called the Karin tribe. Don’t quote me on that spelling. His grandmother of 106 years young still lives high in the mountains in his village. Her secret… all natural. Never been to a doctor or even to Chiang Mai! The simple life, with little stress probably has a role in her longevity.

We definitely worked up an appetite. Lunch time = time to cook in the jungle. Jackie Chan built a fire from pine sap shavings, and led the way on how to make veggie soup and “chicken bbq” using bamboo. Plates were made from leaves, spoons from bamboo and sling-shots (also from bamboo) for hunting. We could go on and on about Jackie Chan’s survival skills but we won’t… let’s say… I’d want him on my Survivor team!

SIDE NOTE: I think everyone would agree, I’d be first to be voted off the island. Nobody needs their checkbook balanced when forging for food, hunting for squirrels or cooking roots. “If you can’t be an athlete, be an athletic supporter” so I provided lots of encouragement along the way.

Then the big finale…. Elephants!! WOW x million! Mike was in his element… loving every step with these gals. Pics of his smile and joy tell his story! 😍 Man can these ladies pack in the food!!!!!

The time at camp concluded with bath time! One 5 year old elephant (teenager) was “naughty” per Jackie Chan. So as you may have guessed, we named her Naughty by Nature (another rap reference - you are welcome). She was so fun to watch and loved, loved, loved the water. Her Mahout had his hands full as he was responsible for her and her mama.

FUN FACT: Mahout’s spend their days with one elephant (or two when have a young one + mama). I was shocked to learn that an elephant will only listen to their mahout. Wonder if I could be Payton’s mahout as my new career? #opentonetworking

Before we departed back to Chiang Mai, Mike was also able to reconnect with Charlie (guide from his 2018 trip) and share pics of their kiddos (past and present). 💚 Cherry on top to our day!!!

P.S. I didn’t get voted off the “island” so I will be back to Chai Lai Orchid!Read more