Ao Nang / Ko Tao Thailand
Our last few days in Chiang Mai were spent at an Elephant Sanctuary and cooking class. After Bali we realized that the best place to support elephants is not at a location that allows you to ride them. Although we felt the elephants were in good care, they did not get to move about as they pleased and were stuck giving rides for most of the day. Thailand is a different story in most cases you can find elephant sanctuaries everywhere. When we first arrived it took the guides about 30 minutes to find the elephants as they wander about at they please. We feed them, gave them a mud bath and then a full bath. The three elephants that we interacted with were Bella (previously a circus elephant that injured her leg), her adopted baby, and Big daddy.
Our next stop was Ao Nang, which is located south east of Chiang Mai. We spent about 7 days in this location. It was very touristy so we didn't learn much about culture, but did get a lot of great beach days in. This location is known for its rock climbing with cascading rocks exploding out of the ocean. Our most adventurous day was our Long Tail boat excursion. We hit 4 islands in total and were able to get a little bit of snorkeling in.
Our current location is Ko Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand. We were both a bit nervous for our 4 1/2 hour ferry ride since our New Zealand experience, but the water was calmer than a lake. It was a quick and easy ride to one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. Similar to Gili Air island in Indonesia there is a small strip of great bars, restaurants and shops along the coast line. The water is a beautiful crystal clear color and the sand is as soft as a baby's bottom.
This location is also considered on of the most prominent diving locations where people come from all over the world to learn to dive and achieve certifications. Jesse decided to take the opportunity and is taking a 3 all day diving course to get PADI certified. The Sairee Beach hotel that we are staying at hosts a lot of divers from all over to get anything from beginner divers certificates to master. While we have been here 2 of guys passed their masters classes, meaning they must be initiated into the Masters club. Where they were forced to put on girl clothes, wear makeup snorkel in the dark and then have a drinking contest while wearing a snorkel mask chugging some some sort of chili smoothie through their snorkel. Yum!
My days have been spent relaxing by the beach, snorkeling, paddle boarding and practicing yoga. A nice cleanse from all of the Pad Thai I have been consuming in large quantities.
Our last day was spent at Smile Organic Cooking school in Chiang Mai. We had great fun making some Thai classics including Green Curry, Spring Rolls and Pad Thai. Dishes we will for sure bring back with us to the US. Our teacher was also one of the most flamboyant and entertaining teachers. He referred to a spicy dish as "sexy". The dish becomes more sexy the spicier you make it. However, in the end it makes you less sexy because what goes in must come out. He also used the isle to teach us as his cat walk.
Our current location is Ko Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand. We were both a bit nervous for our 4 1/2 hour ferry ride since our New Zealand experience, but the water was calmer than a lake. It was a quick and easy ride to one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. Similar to Gili Air island in Indonesia there is a small strip of great bars, restaurants and shops along the coast line. The water is a beautiful crystal clear color and the sand is as soft as a baby's bottom.
This location is also considered on of the most prominent diving locations where people come from all over the world to learn to dive and achieve certifications. Jesse decided to take the opportunity and is taking a 3 all day diving course to get PADI certified. The Sairee Beach hotel that we are staying at hosts a lot of divers from all over to get anything from beginner divers certificates to master. While we have been here 2 of guys passed their masters classes, meaning they must be initiated into the Masters club. Where they were forced to put on girl clothes, wear makeup snorkel in the dark and then have a drinking contest while wearing a snorkel mask chugging some some sort of chili smoothie through their snorkel. Yum!
My days have been spent relaxing by the beach, snorkeling, paddle boarding and practicing yoga. A nice cleanse from all of the Pad Thai I have been consuming in large quantities.
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