Chiang Mai-Night Markets, Elephant Taming and Thai "Cooking"

(Tuk tuks in Chiang Mai...you could fall out the back if you're not careful)

Northern Thailand is a much calmer kind of Thailand, but not boring. Our days were still jammed with exploration. We found ourseleves at a temple on the first day...Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple. Pretty much your average temple with lots of steps to the top.This one did seem more religious and calm then others we've seen.

That night we went to the night markets, ate some delicious (and cheap) Thai food, and found a $7 shirt for me.
Tuesday morning we ventured off to Patara Elephant Farm. It is an elephant reserve where we were able to care for and ride our very own elephants. It was so cool. My elephant's name was Boon Pak and Patrick's was Ma Mai (he thinks). We checked their poop and bathed them. Then we learned how to get on them and went for a trek through the forrest to a waterfall. My elephant took me for a swim in the waterfall and then we had a picnic lunch on our banana leaf tablecloth. Patrick's elephant was pregnant and kind of moody so he was almost "bucked" off a few times. We loved it...poop and all!

Wednesday, we took a Thai cooking class. We went to the market and then to the organic farm where they grew most of what we were cooking. Patrick followed directions perfectly and did a great job on his meal. I missed a few minor details, but managed to fumble my way through and made the best soup we have ever had. Patricks dessert of sticky, sweet rice and mango was absolute heaven. We left with a cook book in hand and can't wait to make some Thai food in our new home.

Random story from Chiang Mai: That night, despite our fullness, we went to a Mexican restaurant (Patrick insists on trying Mexican food in every country even though I warn it will never be as good as he hopes). It was actually pretty good and then we had a drink at the bar across the street. After spending 10 minutes trying to figure out how to flush the toilet, the bar owner showed me that you use a pot and fill it with water and pour it down the toilet. Thank goodness for modern plumbing.