Chillin in Chiang Mai

We've been in Chiang Mai for 4 days now and are really enjoying the city. Saturday we took to touring and explored the Wats of the Old City (the heart of Chiang Mai which is completely surrounded by a moat and a few remains of the massive wall that once stood). Most of the Wats date from the 15th century and are truly works of art. We also spent a few minutes participating in some Monk Chat with our new friend Mix. Saturday night we enjoyed an authentic Northern Thailand (Khantok) dinner at The Gallery, one of the oldest wooden structures built in 1892 in Chiang Mai and also visited by Hillary Clinton when she was First Lady.

katie watching the sunset at the le meridien pool

enjoying a traditional northern thai style khantok dinner w/ no utensils

mike discussing the Mets spring training with his new friend -

wats of chiang mai -

On Sunday we enjoyed an amazing experience at the Patara Elephant Farm. From 8-4pm we acted as the owners / trainers of our respective elephant for a full day. My elephant (Nui) was ten years old and rather rambunctious...she loved to eat. Mike enjoyed a full day as caretaker for Boon Pak, a 17 year old ellie. We cleaned, fed, bathed and rode the elephants for a full day. Although pretty sore afterward, it was an UNFORGETTABLE experience.
We rewarded ourselves that night with a dinner of nachos, sliders and potato skins while watching the Man U game at Chiang Mai saloon.

mike feeding boon pak his breakfast

katie getting to know CRAZY Nui

katie contemplating a late breakfast

katie inspecting some elephant dung

mike showing grace and agility

trekking through northern thailand in style

Today we successfully cooked a delicious 6-course meal at the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School without burning down the place The founder and international chef Sompon Nabian even made an appearance and cooked two courses for us. We cooked chicken in coconut milk soup (pork for Mike), red curry with fish, fried mixed mushrooms with baby corn, fried noodles with thick sauce and pork, papaya salad and steamed banana cake....all yummy!

katie stirfrying some noodles

Watch out Mario Batali

whose food would you rather eat??

"I hope there is no chicken in here!"

See you in Laos!