Blog Archives
North Thailand – Chang Mai and the elephants
Chiang Mai is in the North and consider the mountain region.
On our first night, we took a tuk tuk to discover the city and the group had dinner at a restaurant near the river.
It was Rick’s birthday and some of us got up to dance. Was so nice!!
The golf here was very picturesque and …. Full of water and sand trap….ughh !
Nonetheless, we had 3 beautiful golf round with great golf foursomes. What a fun group of golf enthusiasts!
On Sunday, we went to the night market, it was a zoo! Chris and I bought matching Ankelet and cheap sunglasses….i can’t believe I don’t have a picture of that!!
13 of us from the group visited the Hug Elephant Sanctuary. What an amazing experience! I have so many pictures it is hard to choose!
We began by “making friends” with them by feeding them banana and sugar cane. They love that but we are told that if they eat too much or only that they could develop diabetes so it is important that they also forage and eat plants.
We met 4 female elephants. There are no males in sanctuary as they can be aggressive and hard to control. Not much different from the human species 🤣
It is an amazing experience!
We then walked along a path to the mud bath and river.
Chuck got right in there but I wasn’t sure about it. I’m glad I changed my mind. Their skin is very rough and it was great! Dee for right in there and was completely covered!
We then moved to the river to bathe them but only 3 came in. The young 4years old orphan was trained to spray people. Hilarious! I loved the one that just laid down and waited for us to throw water on it
We had a lovely lunch afterwords and I bought two Black Elephants sculpture for obvious reasons 🎬
Chuck and I also spent time at the Wat Uppacoot temple where I lit a candle.
And discovered the Wat Buppharam temple on our walk. There are no shortage of temples everywhere.
We finished our day at the Chef’s Together by the river. Chris joined us and then we walked back to the hotel where I FINALLY got my strawberry ice cream in a waffle cone! Yummy!
The next night, after saying good bye to Heather and Steve on their way to Pukhet, we went back with some of our new best friend – Trent and Chris. What a good time!
Finished the night at a jazz bar called Noir with Derek and his gang. Unfortunately it was almost done when we arrived….oh well.
Good bye Chiang Mai and the fabulous golf group!
Our trip begins in Bangkok
We start our golf tour in Thailand with a few days in Bangkok and meet the golf group from Kelowna and Heather and Steve. We are 19 golfing enthusiasts on our first visit to Thailand.
We are staying at the Novotel with a fantastic infinity pool
We experience local Thai restaurants. Looks like everything is deep fried! Must find vegetable.
We decide to go on a visit to the Grand Palace and the Emerald temple the next day. Our guide is excellent and we learn a lot about the royal family and their 10th king currently in power. There is so much wealth!We notice that there are 7Eleven everywhere and she tells us that the royal family has a stake in it which is why…
We are able to go into the temple to see the emerald Buddha (which is really Jade). He gets dressed by the king for each season! Pictures can only be snapped from outside.
Our guide brings Heather and I am orchid which she fashions into a flower for us to go make an offering to Buddha and make a wish!
We walk by the Grand Palace as King #10 does not allow anyone inside the buildings.
We continue our day with a long tail boat adventure on the river and one canal, the water is quite dirty and there is a huge gap between the poor decrepit houses and the big newly built bouses. Still prices are very low.
Heather and I try a Thai foot massage at a place near the hotel. It was fabulous! Now we want one every day. Of course beautiful drink afterwards!
In the evening, we enjoy a nice meal and take a tuk tuk home. The driver decided to go full out rock and roll on Steve and Chuck’s urging. We could have easily died! Those drivers are crazy!
Sedona + Scottsdale
Early in the morning, we leave the tent campground in Utah to start the drive to Sedona. We loose an hour within 15 minutes drive as Utah does not follow daylight savings time.
We stop at the Dam near Page. It is very large and it makes you wonder how much this Colorado river can give to all these towns with the water so low!
As we approach Sedona, a completely new landscape presents itself to us. Beautiful forest with large conifers, valleys and large mountains and hiking trails after hiking trails. I had no idea!
In Scottsdale, we stay at Amara resort and spa. Beautiful view of large boulders / rock mountains and very friendly staff. We each have a facial scheduled for that day and it is amazing! After a stroll along the Main Street where stores after stores are lined up, we have an excellent dinner for Mother’s Day at the resort.
The following day is our anniversary – 30 years….how time flies when you are in good company! We have massages scheduled in the morning which are also excellent! This is a great place for treatments.
We leave shortly after the massage, on our way to Scottsdale. We are staying at Boulders Resort in a beautiful large casita. We make our way to the driving range to hit a few balls in preparation for my first golf round of the year. We have a lovely dinner at Paulo Verde at the resort with an excellent Barolo. Again the weather is perfect and we enjoy a beautiful evening on the patio. Onwards for 30 more years!
We have a great round of golf the following morning, followed by a dip at one of the pool and some relaxing time reading our book. We decide to drive outside of the resort to discover a small bistro serving American cuisine with a French flair. Again the food is excellent!
The next day, we have a flight in the evening so we enjoy the pool and go for a brisk walk in the morning. We check out and drive to old downtown in Scottsdale and walk around to see the town. We decide to stop at a nail salon to each have a pedicure. It is chuck’s first one and he now wants to schedule a monthly pedicure!
The flight is quick but the seats uncomfortable and very little service. This was not worth paying for business class. Note to self – American Airlines domestic business class is a no-no.
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Martine's food and places 