At the Le Meridien

Photo: Collage of Le Meridien room keys. I had a nice surprise at breakfast this morning. The Argentine family that were my tourmates on my day trip to the floating markets when I was in Bangkok before the Gate 1 tour were also guests at the hotel. It was great seeing them again. A small tourist world! Breakfast was good.

Maesa Elephant Camp

Today was E–day (elephant–riding day)! It finally arrived and yes I was still nervous about riding an elephant. The camp is about an hour from Chiang Mai.

Maesa Elephant Camp

My official elephant–riding photo. That’s me on the left. The ride took about an hour and was on a jungle trail that went up in the hills and then down again. It was a slow bumpy ride. I have put my photos of the ride and also of the Maesa Elephant Camp on a slide show. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/chiang–mai–maesa–elephant–camp/

(Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand–2, “Chiang Mai: Maesa Elephant Camp”).

Maesa Elephant Camp

I also took six movies of our elephant ride and also of the elephant camp. For the first movie, go to Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 5, “How to Get an Elephant to Move.”

Maesa Elephant Camp

The second movie: Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 5, “On the Jungle Trail.”

Maesa Elephant Camp

The third movie: Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 5, “Elephants Crossing a  Stream.”

Maesa Elephant Camp

The fourth movie: Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 6, “Elephants Having a Bath.”

Maesa Elephant Camp

The fifth movie, part of the elephant show, Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 6, “Elephants Playing Soccer.”

Maesa Elephant Camp

The last movie, also taken during the elephant show, Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 6, “Elephants Painting.”

Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm

After the elephant camp, we ate a Northern Thailand buffet at the Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm.

Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm

The orchids at the farm were quite beautiful. I have put my photos of the farm on a slideshow. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/chiang–mai–thai–lunch–orchids/

(Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand–2, “Chiang Mai: Thai Lunch & Orchids”).

Seen on the Way Back to Chiang Mai

A very colorful gate to a temple.

Seen on the Way Back to Chiang Mai

The Butter is Better Diner & Bakery.

Le Bistrot

We had the rest of the day free after coming back after lunch. I spent the rest of the afternoon packing for our plane ride the day after tomorrow back to Bangkok and then for my trip back to Los Angeles. For dinner, Sandy and I ate at the corner of our hotel block at Le Bistrot (the original Parisian spelling of the word). We were able to watch all the action on the street. It was Chinese New Year Eve. We heard some fireworks going off but not many. Not a big celebration where we were.

The Night Market

The night market in Chiang Mai was huge and it actually began almost in front of our hotel. Sandy and I had a good time looking at everything for sale. This market had a number of original items as well as many of the usual ones. Best night market I have been to. I have put my photos of the night market on a slide show. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/chiang–mai–night–market/

(Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand–2, “Chiang Mai: Night Market”).

Seen on Our Walk Back to Our Hotel

A shrine lit up.

Seen on Our Walk Back to Our Hotel

Elvis Lives! This cutout is of an Asian Elvis who would be performing at a restaurant the next week.