Champions in Chiang Mai - Part 2

Friday, 19th April 2013.

I think the highlight of this trip was our trip to Maetang Elephant Park. My roommate had told me that she had previously ridden on an elephant with her daughters in ... Hatyai or some place else in Thailand so this time, she won't go on the elephant rides again.

Spotted an elephant at work whilst on our way to the elephant park.

The first and only time I rode on an elephant was in Zoo Negara when I was probably 10 years old.

Es was supposed to partner me (each elephant takes a couple) but somehow there was a confusion later on and I ended up going with Amran.

Everyone was so excited!

The elephants were 'free' to roam on their own with their mahouts riding on their back.

(I must confess that I couldn't look the elephants in the eyes because they looked a bit sad. :S)

Taking a bath at the stream.

We were in time for a show and it was so crowded. I was hoping it would not be a boring show, and I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone enjoyed the show!

Four elephants demonstrated their painting skills to us and WE WERE SO AWED!

It was amazing! They are better artists than I would ever be!

Suda was the best painter among them all and you can purchase her paintings for RM100 each.

After the show we went on an ox cart ride. The fee we paid for the elephant ride included an ox cart ride as well.

Along the way, we chatted about how we couldn't imagine our forefathers riding on  bullock cart for days to get from Point A to Point B. Gosh, it was slowwwww.

Riding on an elephant and gripping hard on the bar to stabilise yourself was fun, but my butt would clench every now and then, tensing as I adjusted my butt-hold on to the slippery PVC seat. I had to make sure that I didn't slip off or unintentionally fall into Azman's lap!

Azman took a video of our ride and plenty of nice photos, of which I have yet to obtain from him.

Champions in Chiang Mai - Part 1

Thursday, 18th April 2013.

I had to reach the main entrance of my company's headquarters by 2.45am for the bus to take my colleagues and I to LCCT. About 40 of us were flying off to Chiang Mai, Thailand for the weekend, courtesy of the company.

FREE TRIP, woohoo!!!

Each year, the company treats the winners of any sports event to a free trip. I, by virtue of being part of the Champions' team for last year's KL Rat Race, managed to get on this so-called "Champions Trip" this year. Hah! First and only time, if I may say.

Aerial view of Chiang Mai and the Ping River.

I only knew my 3 teammates from last year's KL Rat Race. Most of the colleagues were either from badminton, darts, tennis, bowling and ... well, the rest of the colleagues from futsal, football, etc were traveling in the 2nd batch which arrived on Saturday (20th April 2013), the day before we left.

A view of the canal from the bus.

Chiang Mai previously had a moat and walls surrounding its city to prevent attacks from Burma and armies of the Mongol Empire. (So says Wikipedia!)

Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, our first stop was the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Situated 15KM away from the city, it is a popular destination for tourists.

 

"Ommm", says the dog at the cable car station.

We had an option of walking up the stairs or take the cable (car) ride up to the temple. Thankfully, our guide paid for our fare and we could take the ride up. It was too hot to walk up the stairs, no thank you!

Queuing up for the ride up. I would call it the elevator, actually.