Heffalumps (and Congratulations Your Majesty)

Yes it's me again (once I get on a roll I can't stop!)

From Lao, I flew (once more on Lao airlines) to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Another deserted hotel (you get very good offers this time of the year), and one evening an embarrasingly grateful restaurant owner that I'd given him a customer! I had that second bottle of Chang beer out of sympathy Even the girly bars were empty, it didn't help that the remaining men were all watching the football! (a bar I was in had English language commentary from a South African satellite channel)

I was a bit lethargic during my time here, I guess a dip in adrenalin between Lao and Cambodia my next country. I did tramp around the streets though, dodging the traffic as per usual, and seeing the sights. My favourite temple was Wat Chedi Luang, an enormous brick chedi (pagoda) which was partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. It's been partially restored recently, but still retains the romantic feel of a ruin.
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=c94bscd.jpg&.src=ph

The highlight of my time in Chiang Mai was seeing the elephants at an elephant park. Here elephants made 'redundant' by the logging industry or rescued from abuse are kept, they seem very happy and are breeding well.

There are plenty of other photos in the folder, if you like elephants!

Sven's secret weapon to add a bit of height and muscle up front
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=4a09scd.jpg&.src=ph

Anyone got some food?
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=92edscd.jpg&.src=ph

Holding each other's tails - I thought Disney made this up!
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=1255scd.jpg&.src=ph

Kicking a football (lots of power)
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=b5abscd.jpg&.src=ph

And most amazingly, painting. The 'Italy' elephant used dabs of paint, while the 'England' elephant used delicate strokes of the brush.
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=ae05scd.jpg&.src=ph

Some of the results. Getting an elephant to paint a recognisable image of an elephant is mind blowing.
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=5334scd.jpg&.src=ph
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mfconway@btinternet.com/detail?.dir=/cc54scd&.dnm=7398scd.jpg&.src=ph

My plan had been to take the overnight train from Chiang Mai back to Bangkok, but due to flooding the track was damaged a few weeks ago, so I flew down this morning instead (on yet another low cost airline one-two-go!). Here, briefly back in Bangkok, celebrations are continuing for the king, 60 years on the throne (those chillies can play havoc with your digestion). Today was the royal barge procession, though there have been events for the last week. Indeed I missed the first 25 minutes of the England game, as Thai television was showing a review of the royal activities. If only I had missed the last 25 minutes of the game instead!

Mike