Take the time to learn something new...

Chiang Mai's biggest attraction these days isn't it's sightseeing, restaurants or trekking. It's the Thai cooking schools in old teak houses (Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School and Thai Kitchen School), massage schools (Lek Chaiya Massage School), Thai language schools, and meditation schools (Raya Yoga Meditation Centre) Recently, I've even seen an advertisement for private Thai dancing lessons! The biggest complaint I hear from visitors to this city is, in fact, that they didn't leave enough time to take a course. Have fun, everybody!

A reader's suggestion...

Volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park
I wish to add an amazing destination in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Everybody visiting this attractive city should also spend time at the Elephant Nature Park. This park is home to cats, dogs, cows, water buffalo, and, of course, elephants. These pachyderms are orphans, or have been harmed by humans in some way; most of their stories are incredibly sad. You can visit the park as a day visitor or spend up to two weeks as a volunteer, or anything in between. Those who come for the day usually regretted not being able to stay longer. The web site will give you an idea of life with the ellies, but most days start with a quick breakfast of toast and jam, tea, and coffee. Then you can go for a walk with the beasts, if you wish, and/or scrub the elephants in the river on their return. Each animal has its own mahout (trainer and caregiver), who keeps a watch over his charge. Before lunch a truck arrives loaded with fruit and vegetables that the volunteers wash and cut up into (elephant) serving sizes. The elephants stand on the ground around the dining hut while those humans who wish stay on the deck and feed their chosen animal. The one I usually chose was very fussy; she insisted on eating all of the fruit first before she would consider the vegetables. The way she separated the fruit from the stalks and leaves of the pineapples was fascinating and the elephants with larger appetites were happy that they were able to eat the leaves she left on the ground. During the afternoons most of us kept busy in a variety of ways (listed on the web site), but I usually went dung collecting: This is not as bad as it sounds as the excrement is mainly undigested grass and has no smell. Besides, you can handle it. You're a Journeywoman!

The food for volunteers at the Elephant Nature Park is very good with many dishes being available at lunch and dinner. Accommodation is in very simple two-person cabins with a 'bathroom' (toilet and shower) shared by each group of cabins. Those of you who have travelled in Asia will be happy to know that the commodes are the sit-upon variety, not squats, and toilet paper is provided! When I was at the park most of the visitors were women, but there were also some families, and a sprinkling of men. It is definitely a female-friendly vacation. Please note that the idea of the Elephant Nature Park is to allow the elephants to live as nature and God intended: They do not give rides, do tricks, or perform in any way. They are just wonderful animals that have definitely earned their time at the Park. Please visit: www.elephantnaturefoundation.org for more information.
Sue, Toronto, Canada