Chiang Mai : A Beautiful Surprise

I shall never forget an incident of a total stranger sleeping in my bed in the middle of the night, right next to me.

For decades of my travels, Chiang Mai wasn’t even on my travel radar. I can’t explain why; it simply hadn’t crossed my mind. Then, in a stroke of fate, I stumbled upon some breathtaking photos shared by a photographer friend. Within less than 24 hours, I wrote to her, thanked her for her posts for it ignited the adventure in me. Booked my flight and embarked on a journey to Chiang Mai that I will forever cherish.

My mission; to forge connection with the majestic elephants in Northern Thailand, throw some muay tai kicks  (because when in Thailand, right?), and explore the vibrant markets and eateries.

I opted to stay at Chai Lai Orchid, in an oasis nestled around nature. It has easy access to an elephant orphanage centre. It is just over an hour away from the city of Chiang Mai. 

Chai Lai Orchid has simple bamboo huts by the river and some on the mountain side with spectacular sunrise views. I opted for an escapade by the river. I fell asleep to the sound of the river, with my doors and windows wide open, fully embracing nature, trusting everything around me. That feeling to me is so liberating.

On the first evening, when the temperature dropped at night. I tried to pull my duvet to cover myself. Surprisingly I couldn’t. It felt heavy. It was pitch black and I couldn’t see anything. I was a bit concerned. Who could have been on my bed?!

I tried again and still failed. I turned on my torch and realised a dog cocooned in my bed, next to me! I found another curled up on the floor right next to my bed. These were the dogs that have been following me around earlier in the day. A quirky surprise, an unpredictable charm of my travel.

Easy days for me here hanging out with the mahout and the elephants of course. Helped them to cut the sugar cane and gathered treats for the ellies 🐘

Watching the elephants, I found reflections of human behaviour. The best part to me was observing them crossing the river and spending time having a ball in the water. It was hilarious seeing 12 year old Nham Ng frolicking the river like a carefree spirit, dunking her head under the rapids over and over again. She refused to leave the river, wrapping her trunk around a tree when her caretaker asked her to leave. Her mum, Bun Thong  who walked ahead of her turned around to check if she’s out of the water. Bun Thong seemed to enjoy having her photos taken. She’s like a supermodel in the mammoth world.

I’ve travelled to the African safari to see the Big 5. It was amazing to see them in the wild from a distance, but to be able to witness their behaviour up close and personal this way brought me to another level of intimacy with these mammoths. It is an incredible feeling, it is pure joy watching them together. I even had the opportunity to touch a pregnant elephant’s belly and felt her baby moved! Can you imagine that feeling?

I spent hours sitting on a bed of rocks by the river and swam in the rapids one day when a traveller stopped and said to me “I noticed you’ve been here since I started my hike this morning” And I just realised it was already 2pm by then…. I smiled and told him how watching the elephants by the river gave me pure joy.

The eco lodge I’m staying at supports the local tribes and young refugees, other than caring for 15 elephants at their orphanage centre. No rides allowed. The mahout doesn’t use a hook either. The elephants were trained through commands in Thai language.

I’m so grateful that I stumbled across the amazing post. It has led me to a new adventure so epic!

Watch the video HERE