A visit to the Elephant Nature Park, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 13 November 2022.

 We were very lucky to have visited the elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.   The elephants are at rest there and so amazingly well looked after.  There was one female elephant who had lost her teeth and to watch her peeling a banana with her trunk was incredible and a privelege.

The sanctury included an ICU unit and the whole reserve was by the river where the elephants were free to roam. 
When the elephants have a birthday, they are treated to a birthday cake which is prepared in the elephant's kitchen.  Also prepared there are the 10 daily meals for elephants !

 After lunch it was time to leave but, we were treated to watching the elephants enjoy the river before we left.

 Despite the 33 degree heat when we arrived in the morning, the elephants still had their blankets on to avoid being cold!

Lampang to Chiang Mai - November 12, 2022

 Another day in Thailand on Saturday 12 November.  The journey from Lampang to Chiang Mai.

First stop was at Wat Phrathat Lampange Luang - an example of Lanna Buddhist architecture with ancient fortress walls guarding the central chedi.

Then 2nd visit was to Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao,a temple built on the site of an 8th century fortification.  One of the few places known to have enshrined the Emerald Buddha -one of the most sacred images of the Thai Kingdom.

3rd visit of the day was to the amazing Dhanabaadee Ceramic Museum - which displays how ceramics related to he way of life of Lampang
Demonstrations of traditional 'chicken' bowl with local technique of drawing patterns on a chicken bowl which is the only one in the country.

In the afternoon  we drove through the city of Lamphun to Chiang Mai.
And the final visit of the day to Wat Ton Kaew , with the eclectic mix of architectural styles and the cascading gold structures at Wat Phrathat Haripoonchai.

A very full but very enjoyable day which ended with a visit to the Night Bazaar/Market in Chiang Mail.. no pictures.

Gulp!! Cleaning the roof tiles.. no safety gear whatsoever!

The Ceramics Museum and 'factory'.. amazing work done here!

The original kiln.

and then on to Wat Ton Kaew