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 NORTHERN
THAILAND IS A CONSTANT ADVENTURE
by Bill Vanderford
The first memory of a personal
meeting with the Thai people is their ever-present smile! This natural
friendliness is a part of the Thai culture that is tied to Buddhism, which
is the principal religion in Thailand. Therefore, despite the beauty and
history of this unique country, it is the graciousness and warmth of the
people of Thailand that is always remembered!
The adventure, excitement, and
uniqueness of Northern Thailand draws travelers, but to experience it, one
must go to Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand which is
located nearly 500 miles northwest of Bangkok near the mountains that lead
into Burma.
The best place to stay in
Chiang Mai is Tamarind Village which is an oasis of tranquility in
the heart of the historic section and less than 15 minutes from the
airport, bus and train depots. An easy walk from the property accesses
many of the cultural opportunities and shopping districts. This charming
and unique boutique hotel is named after the 200 year old tamarind tree
that serves as a shelter, and the rooms, suites, and grounds reflect the
diverse art and architecture of the tribes of Northern Thailand.
For more information or reservations, go to their web site
at:
www.tamarindvillage.com
Chiang Mai is a cultural
center with many museums, more than 300 ancient temples, and uncountable
historical artifacts from the hill tribes. Seeing all of these wonders
could take weeks, but it would be a real shame not to journey into the
surrounding countryside and experience other adventures!
 Probably
the best way to get into the “swing” of things is to drive about an hour
north of Chiang Mai into the high mountains to visit a nomadic tribe known
as the Khamu. More than a century ago, they migrated to this part
of Thailand from Yunnan Province in China and Laos and managed to evade
civilization for many decades. Today, however, they have joined forces
with Smilelink Travel to share their picturesque mountains through
an endeavor called Jungle Flight, which is the longest and highest
Zipline complex in Thailand. For info, contact them at:
info@jungle-flight.com
Upon arriving at the village
of Baan Nam Khong, equipment is issued and fitted, an orientation is
given, and lunch is prepared by the wives from the village. This lets the
people in the small community greet outsiders, allows the visitors to
learn about the tribal people, and provides the local ladies with work.
Following a short hike from
the village, travelers mount the first of 34 platforms to begin flying
through the trees on almost 5 miles of ziplines at more than 30 miles per
hour through a magnificent mountain forest at a height of 150 feet above
the ground. Sections as long as 3 football fields, transitions between
platforms of spiral stairways, swinging sky bridges, and vertical rope
drops of more than 100 feet will keep the adrenaline flowing! To top it
off, a 1/2 mile climb along a dusty road back to the village has everyone
clambering for refreshments and rest.
Coming to Thailand without
experiencing a day of personal contact with the Southeast Asian elephants
would be a travesty. These sacred creatures are as important to the
history of Thailand as the railroads to North America. Elephants are a
symbol of royal power in the Thai culture and an important ingredient in
Buddhist art and architecture.
At the Patara Elephant Farm
north of Chiang Mai, a one-of-a-kind opportunity is offered where you can
become an elephant owner and trainer for a day. Under the expert guidance
of farm owner Teerapat Trungpakan (Known as Pat), you receive a crash
course about the history of elephants in Thailand, how to approach them,
what to expect from them, how to feed them and check their health, and
even a few necessary Thai language commands that the elephants understand.
 According
to Pat, the primary reason for the Patara Elephant Farm is to breed
healthy baby elephants to reintroduce into the wild. He also uses his farm
to provide an educational opportunity for visitors to Thailand and to
create a pleasant working and living environment for domesticated
elephants.
After one look into the soft,
friendly eyes of your own elephant, you will fall in love. As you speak
softly, while feeding it a basket of fruit, the special bond will grow as
you realize that this huge animal is warm and sensitive with a zest for
life and a sense of humor.
The day continues with
checking your elephant’s health...including handling it’s poop, cleaning
and brushing the dirt from it’s skin, and bathing and playing with it in
the nearby river. Then, you learn how to properly mount and ride your
elephant...not in a chair, but on its head. This leads to a ride up into
the hills to a gorgeous waterfall with a large pool at the bottom where
all the elephants can cool down and play in the water.
After a tasty lunch of local
cuisine by the waterfall, everyone retreats to the farm for farewells to
Pat, his family, and the marvelous elephants. Being with them and feeling
the invisible connection with the largest animal on the planet is a
magical experience that will never be forgotten. For more
information, go to the Patara Elephant Farm Website at:
www.pataraelephantfarm.com
 Not
more than one hour north of Chiang Mai is a rich, green agricultural
valley where time seems to have stood still. The people wear traditional
clothes and speak an ancient Chinese dialect that even native Thai people
don’t understand.
Because of the Asian Oasis
Mythical Journeys Group and the now famous, eco-friendly Lisu Lodge,
the valley has become a sanctuary for Lisu traditions and a job provider
for this mountain tribe. It is a perfect blend of how to maintain the
tribal heritage while benefitting from responsible tourism.
More than a dozen years ago,
the award-winning Lisu Lodge was built and has always been managed
and staffed by the native Lisu community. Though it is constructed in a
traditional style without all the frills, enough western comforts have
been incorporated to satisfy most visitors. For more information, visit
their website at:
www.asian-oasis.com/lisu.html
Besides being a perfect place
to enjoy tribal culture in a tranquil setting with vistas of farm fields
and nearby mountains, travelers can venture out to experience exciting
soft adventures. These might include mountain biking through gorgeous
fields, villages, and along the river, whitewater rafting, or simply mild
hiking.
Lisu Lodge’s guest
rooms are built around a common area where delicious local meals are
served and during the evenings entertainment is provided by traditional
dance. This beautiful property offers solitude and simple activities with
tradition and plenty of class!
Leaving the mountain people of
Northern Thailand and historical Chiang Mai is difficult. The smiling
faces, warm hospitality, and elephants makes everyone yearn for just one
more day!
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