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During the day we took journeys to the outdoor world around Chiang Mai, meeting new people and getting to know our guides better each day. One day we took a trip to Maetaman Elephant Camp. It was a long ride, but in the end we were able to take a bumpy ride on an elephant. It was exciting and creepy at the same time. The rider rode on the head of the elephant and my dad and I were positioned on the hump of the elephant on a saddle. The elephant trekked along the dirt path and across a grassy land area and finally crossed a small river dragging along its feet, gushing water to the side.

Back at the camp, we spent time feeding a mother elephant and her newborn baby. Cute!

 

The next day we met a nice family with a cute daughter who also went with us on a forest walk to a hill tribe village far from Joy’s House. We met more people and became close friends. Stopping for lunch on the hike was probably the best part. Our guide, Sert and his two friends laid several big leaves down and dug out a variety of tasty foods: chicken skewers, sticky rice, fresh fish and spicy vegetables.

Everything was great, plus, we got a spectacular view of a stunning water fall.

We washed up and explored the hill tribe village where Sert’s family lives.  The school was a small school where the children were out playing on the playground. Sert introduced us to his little sister and his family who lives a short distance from the school.

The gang tasted fresh ground coffee and bought some unique handmade fabric which a lady had weaved herself. That was definitely a day.

We also stopped at Tiger Kingdom on the way back.  I had a choice of smallest, small, big, or biggest tigers to spend time with.  I chose the (cutest!) smallest tigers.

On the last day of our visit we went to the Children’s Shelter Foundation farm, a home for underprivileged Hill Tribe Children founded by Joy and Ulrike, who also own Joy’s House.  At the farm the children and staff grow fresh food, work, and learn.  Leonie, Mia, Umseen and I kicked our feet up on a newly made hut looking out on the water and spent our time talking and having rock-throwing contests. We also got to make our own lunch that day.

The puppies that were there were very adorable I wanted to take one home with me. That evening one of my parents’ friends, Robin went shopping at the supermarket with me. I threw in some spaghetti noodles, pesto, parmesan and olive oil. I was going to cook Leonie and Umseen my favorite meal in the world. PASTA. Leonie helped cook the pasta and Umseen lit candles in the outside kitchen so we could see. We ate to music and ended the last evening our stay with the move TANGLED.