Day 9- ELEPHANTS!!!!

We woke up and had breakfast on our Terrace once again. We had to get up early (only thing we scheduled in the morning while on our honeymoon) for our private tour for a day full of Thailand goodies! As we drove north out of Chiang Mai we could smell and see a thick haze in the air. Our private tour guide/translator informed us that it was the burning of the fields (rice fields). Apparently, it is illegal to burn in Thailand so we were probably smelling/seeing the consequences of burning in Burma. Our first stop was at a place where they made paper out of elephant dung. We witnessed the whole process and even bought some paper. Quite interesting, to say the least. Then it was onto Chiang Dao Elephant Camp (about 1.5 hours away from town). This camp is very highly thought of as they are extremely nice to the elephants and the trainers actually live among them.                                                            

We got to feed the elephants, but I was very nervous about sticking my hands anywhere close to them. They eat the entire bananna clusters, we just had to put them within reach of their trunks.

We got to watch the elephants get baths in the river and then put on a show for us.

 

Framed and ready to be hung. 

The show included this painting which we bought to go in our bedroom. This is proof that the elephant actually painted this!

Then we finally got to ride!! Loved every minute of this, we both did!!

We rode the elephants to this little 'village' where they were selling some of the same Thai goods.

After an authentic Thai lunch we started our way down the Ping River on our bamboo raft. This was a unique experience. We floated by some locals who were selling 'friendship' bracelets and they ran up to us saying '5 baht, 5 baht'. G immediately loved the little girls and bought one for each of us and one for the little girl. He still has his tied on his wrist and wears it every day.  

Our next stop on our all-day private tour was at an Orchid Farm...interesting.

Then it was finally time to go pick up G's suit. Final Product:       Love it!!! And that boy :)

We had dinner at The House (by recommendation). We had already bought tickets to Thai boxing for later in the evening and reserved our front row seats in the VIP section. Our last dinner in Thailand was amazing!!

Yes, we sat front row. I was nervous about what was about to happen, but it turned out to be so much fun! Thai boxing is not like American boxing AT ALL. They kick and slap and I found myself cheering. Yes, cheering, like arm in the air and 'whoo whoo- ing'...

 A Thai vodka/Red-bull

Yes, we were those people who went and took a picture with the big winner of the night. It was Spain vs. Thailand in the final match and Spain won in the first round. Very uneventful. Thai boxing was such a surprise treat. What a great last night in Chiang Mai! We have loved the city and look forward to coming back!