Temples, and Tigers and Ladyboy’s…Chiang Mai (get it – sort of a play on the Wizard of Oz and Lion’s and Tiger’s and Bear’s …Oh My!)…if not, sorry.
So much fun and a great crowd. Thai culture is so diverse.
Chiang Mai
Category Archives: Christmas
Christmas – December 25, 2024
Merry Christmas from Thailand. Here are a few of our memories this last week at the Legend Resort in Chiang Rai, as well as some holiday decorating cheer around the resort and in our room.
With General Manager Eric
Elephant Day
Today was a ton of fun, literally a ton. After a 30 minute drive into the mountains, we jumped into our elephant wrangler gear (unflattering blue jeans and a wild vest; they want us to look like people the elephants are familiar with) and headed into the hills. We hiked about 1/2 mile through a rubber tree grove and into a clearing where we were met by 3 full gown elephants. Our morning was spent, feeding the elephants sugar cane, some elephant vitamins, and giving them a bath. Once done, we had lunch with the elephants. It was an amazing experience.
Cooking with Ann
Something different today, we went to a Thai cooking class.
From the moment Ann picked us up from our hotel, we knew this would be a special experience. On the way to the market, she asked about our likes, dislikes, preferred dishes, and even how much food we could eat (note: look at the pictures – we asked for something small to medium, can you imagine if we would have said we were hungry!). When then shopped together for the freshest ingredients, customizing the experience to our tastes.
Ann welcomed us into her beautifully appointed outdoor Thai kitchen at her home, where we spent nearly 3 hours preparing, cooking, and dining on several dishes. These are not pre-set menus; instead, Ann ensured we were making and eating dishes tailored to our preferences. The result is one of the finest dining experiences we have ever had in Thailand, not just because of the flavors but because it was designed entirely for us.
Northern Thailand: Chiang Rai – Temple Day
We are now at the furthest destination of our trip; Northern Thailand in the Chiang Rai province. This region is known for its mountains, vast fields of rice and tea, as well as a slower paced culture.
Today was Temple Day. We experienced the modern side of Thai culture, temples, and museums. And YES, we are wearing matching shirts (see the last picture of this post for our shirt design).
Christmas in Bangkok
What a beautiful city in the winter!
Central Vietnam
Da Nang
A quick pass through this historic city where a significant portion of the US military was based during the war.
Hoi An
Bike Tour – Hoi An
This was a lot of fun. We took about an hour long, 5 mile bike ride through the rice fields and back streets of this beautiful little village.
Hoi An – Lunch & Shopping
Thailand
Merry Christmas from Thailand. However, given the International Date Line and so many timezone differences it felt like Christmas was almost 3 days long.
Our first port was outside of Bangkok, near Pattaya (which I am sure helps everyone know better where we landed).
Christmas morning
Nongnoch Tropical Garden
Google this place. It is amazing. Also, Mathieu got a lot of love from some elephants.
VIDEO – An amazing Thai culture show.
And then for the strange part. During Covid the owner wanted to keep his employees employed. So he had a wild idea to add sculptured dinosaurs to the garden. Sort of his own Jurassic Park, just less bloodshed. I guess Covid lasted longer than planned as they went a bit overboard.
Bangkok: Christmas Dinner Cruise
Flower Market
ICONSiam – Shopping
This is Mr. Chob’s company. We highly recommend his help when you come to Bangkok. https://www.thaitourguide.com/
Merry Christmas everyone!
Next stop – Vietnam!
We came to Puerto Rico and all we got was rum!
Mmmm…rum! Bacardi private label, self pour into a engraved Colorado Boys bottle. Life is good.
Mathieu hands off. That is ours.
Winter in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Starting our annual trip to the Caribbean for Christmas
