Gal Meets Globe: Chiang Mai, Thailand Oct. 7-9, 2012

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is in the north of Thailand and is known for remote hill tribes and elephants. We also ran into some tigers at Tiger Kingdom near our hotel. But our intent is to visit a custom tailor with a good reputation for fine workmanship.

David (the owner) and Gio Gio from CM Custom Tailors made 3 suits and 6 shirts for me and some blouses, a suit and winter coat for Barb and will ship them to us in the US.

Scott, David, Gio Gio, and Barb at their shop

We read reviews for different tailors and chose CM.

The blue suit

We had fun goofing around in Chiang Mai:

There is a Sunday night market where Barb's magnetic field for shopping became quite strong. While she shopped up and down the streets, I sat down and had a 30 minute foot massage for about $2.00. (150 baht for 1 hour and 100 baht for 30 minutes.) There are foot massage places everywhere.

While we were waiting for the tailor the next day, we walked 3 doors down and we both had foot massages for an hour for $2.60. They feel soooo good!

Scott getting a foot massage and reflexology

Heavenly

Barb rode a water buffalo.

This is an albino water buffalo that they keep at our hotel. They use them for tourists, but they also work in the fields that are part of the hotel grounds.

He is a big guy!

Ride em cowboy!

We watched elephants play soccer, and basketball, and then they painted beautiful pictures with their trunks.

These elephants were amazing! They can not only pick up the ball but they can kick it (into the goal) with either their front or their back leg.

Kicking the soccer ball

Five different elephants painted 5 different pictures. The Mahut (trainer) dips the brush in a color and hands the brush to the elephant in his trunk.

Pretty good artwork!

This one used a wider brush.

The elephant takes a bow.

Playing basketball

This elephant wanted to put a hat on Barb

Then he gave her a hug with his trunk. He can squeeze!

I guess he didn't know Scott was already wearing a hat.

There are hilltribes that live on the mountain peaks or plateaus above 3000 feet. We visited the white Meo Hilltribe and bought crafts from them. (They are the Long Necks)

We read that the metal rings don't stretch their necks, but instead it pushes their shoulders down. Is that medically possible?

Scott buying a little statue

They all live in this small village and each has a little shop

Most of them were working on weaving

Their homes

Barb shopping again!

One of their homes

We drove up to the Doi Suthep Temple. We offered flowers and candles and received a holy white cotton string around the wrist from the Monk as a blessing for happiness and success. The Monks are very happy and clearly enjoy giving these blessings. He was interested to know where in the world I came from and gave me a broad smile of approval when I told him I was from the USA.

Doi Suthep Temple-so much gold!

Line of Buddhas

Lighting candles

Scott

Inside one of the temples where the Priest gave us a blessing and tied a string around our wrist

Jade Buddha

Scott donated to buy a candle to light

Scott getting his blessing and a string around his wrist

Barb doesn't look like Buddha!

Always remove your shoes to go into a temple

Ornate

Barb lighting her candle

TIGERS!

OK. We know this is crazy dangerous for us and not good for the Tigers but it was fun. We got into the Tiger enclosure north of Chiang Mai after watching others survive the experience. We were instructed to approach them from behind. If you approach them from the front they think that you want to play and they play rough.

These Tigers were all born in captivity and are well fed.

The Tiger is Jason's favorite animal so we ate pizza to celebrate our survival.

Yes, Barb is petting a real tiger!

Barb is not the only crazy person in this family!

When you enter the enclosure, you are supposed to come behind them, don't touch their faces, and don't act like you want to play with them. We assume they play pretty rough.