This week saw me leaving Chiang Mai to explore more of Northern Thailand. Before I left Thailand’s second largest city, I played tourist a bit by taking a one day massage course at NAMO and going to hang out with the big beauties at Elephant Nature Park! Interacting with elephants in such a nurturing and intimate setting is indescribable… though I will give it a try in a future post.
A few days ago I set off with two friends (one of whom I met at the Banana Bungalow in Maui!) for Pai, a small mountain town a few hours west of Chiang Mai. Here we’ve soaked up the bohemian atmosphere, explored the countryside on motorbikes, and checked out the local muay thai gym. I am beyond charmed by this gem of a place. Tomorrow I’m setting off on a two day rafting trip to Mae Hong Son… but I might be back in Pai soon!
Photo A
I loved this little vignette outside the studio where I took a class in Thai massage
Photo B
There was a lot of love between these elephants and their mahout
Photo C
Elephant Nature Park was without a doubt a highlight of this trip to Thailand!
Photo D
At the Pai Natural Hotsprings
Photo E
A snack stop at a farm in the Pai countryside
Photo F
Sunset from a hilltop temple in Pai
Which photo is your favorite?
Gorgeous photos Alex. I especially love photo B. I loved seeing how close the elephants are to their mahouts while I was in Thailand.
Thank you Monica! Yes it is a really special relationship. I can’t wait to write more about Elephant Nature Park!
I love Thailand. Gorgeous photos once again. B is my favorite, but it’s a tough choice.
Thanks Alexa! Ooooh — excited to watch your interview with Globetrotter Girls!
Thanks!
Please don’t watch it. I am so embarrassed!! π
Ha, don’t worry… I felt the same way about mine!
I love this photo of the week post!
Cannot wait to hear about Pai!
I need to get myself back to Thailand in the not too distant future!
I loved Pai so much I think I’m heading back there tomorrow π
C!!!!!!!!!!
That’s my personal favorite as well π
F!
Such a pretty view! Thanks for voting π
Photo C
Thanks for voting! π
B! Love the Elephant Nature Park and can’t wait to read more about it soon π
Your blog posts about the park were when I first heard about! It all comes full circle… π
ALL Gorgeous photos Alex >>>”B” is the best!
Thanke you
Thanks for voting!
Both the elephant photos! The black and white editing is gorgeous Alex!
Thanks Milly! I love me some Photoshop π
F! Can’t wait for that view in a couple of months…if I ever leave Laos to continue my trip, that is. I love it here! Hope your travels are going well!
Ugh Laos is so amazing! Really I need to get back there, two weeks was not enough.
B is amazing!!!!
Thanks Chris! Appreciate your vote!
C&F! Pai is tops on my list for my next trip to Thailand.
You would like it here, and I’d be happy to return as your guide π
Hey Alex, the Elephant Nature Park is amazing hey?? But HOW did I miss the hot springs in Pai?! Look forward to reading all about it! I love all your shots of course, but I’m going with that gorgeous one of the food on the wooden table – Gourmet Traveller magazine worthy! Must be hungry…
Thanks Sarah! I’m not much a food photographer but that spread was too much to resist…
C is awesome; F is gorj as well! I had so much fun with elephants in Chiang Rai.
I love A ! the muted colors are beautiful; the design elements are interesting and unusual.
C
That sweet elephant looks like it’s smiling!
B – I really like the black and white elephant photo, it made me scroll back up and look at it again.
Thanks Cat! I’m such a color freak I rarely go with black and white… but that photo was begging for it π