Chiang Mai
With Chiang Mai my final destination in Southeast Asia, I could feel the first half of my trip beginning to wind down. I felt less in need of seeing everything the city had to offer, instead prioritising doing the things I really wanted to do and with the rest of my time simply ensuring I enjoyed myself.
The Elephant Nature Park was a real highlight. An ethical elephant sanctuary, they rescue elephants born in to entertainment or logging work from all over Thailand, and give them a peaceful place to live out their lives. In order to remain ethical and working for the elephants’ best interests, there is strictly no touching, and of course no bathing or riding the animals. The elephants were free to move around as they chose, and were never encouraged by staff to be close to us, but many felt safe and curious enough to move nearer and sniff us. I felt so lucky to be standing so close to such magnificent creatures, and was amazing at how much we could share a space with them, without it ever feeling like we were negatively affecting the elephants. Our group was apparently lucky to see elephants playing in the water and playing in mud, as well as some of the teenagers running happily alongside each other. I walked around with my mouth agape in awe for most of the day. We were surrounded by so much beauty.
A cooking class on our last day was also a real highlight. I made some of my favourite Thai dishes I’ve been enjoying around the country - tom yum soup, pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and my favourite: penang curry from curry paste made from scratch. They weren’t far off the quality you get in restaurants (my penang curry might have been better IMHO, although my tom yum lacked the intensity I’ve got used to) and it felt great to cook again, and to learn more about the food that has given me so much joy in Thailand.
Visits to Watchediluang Varaviharn Temple (particularly colourful during a flower festival), Chiang Mai gate street food market, pretty market stalls in Nimmanhaemin and drinks in some bars nearby, as well as some slightly stressful scooter riding around the city filled the rest of my time in Chiang Mai.
It’s been a real pleasure to be back in Thailand briefly on my way out of the continent. In particular, after realising Thai food is my favourite in this subcontinent, I’ve been really able to appreciate it this time round. A fitting way to end my Southeast Asia adventure.
I’m not finished yet though…