Phuket, Thailand

We had 3 days of work leadership training in Phuket, Thailand after our trip to Chiang Mai. The training was work but it was made easier being in a beautiful location.

Our hotel was on a hill so there were very many steps to climb each day!

The beach... did I need to say that?

My private villa for the week... life is pretty good.

Annette and I the first night!

Group dinner on the beach as a welcome before the program began.

Group shot!

One activity for training was a ropes course. Here we are with a dog photo bombing us!

Hamming it up for the camera.

Another group activity. Blindfolded on the beach trying to find flags...

End of the week picture.

The last night was for relaxation on the beach.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Lisa, Jared and I went to Chiang Mai Thailand for a long weekend before a work trip in Phuket, Thailand. Chiang Mai is northern Thailand so no beaches but rather mountains and temples.

The first evening we walked around near our hotel and found a temple

The first full day we went to the Tiger Kingdom to see and play with some tigers. We tried to find the most ethical place we could.... 

The large tigers we left behind the cages but we actually got to go into a playpen with the small and newborn tigers which were adorable and so playful.

We didn't do the typical tourist thing and have our pictures taken with the large tigers. We were slightly uncomfortable with it for a few reasons...

The driver took us to a great place for Thai lunch and we though the rain had stopped so we could go to the temples. But on the drive to the temples it began to rain again. So we visited the temples under grey and rainy skies.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is at the top of a mountain and it is a shame we couldn't see the view of the city with all the clouds.

Wat Pha Lat is a hidden jungle temple which many tourists don't visit since you can't get there via tour bus. There were only like 2 other people at this place so it was so peaceful and quiet.

The next day was the best. We did "Elephant Owner for a Day" experience at Patara Elephant Farm. We got to spend the day with the elephants to clean, feed and take care of them. Topped off with a ride!

The babies were so adorable. This is got himself "stuck" for a few minutes on the railing.

Just roaming elephants. No chains, no fences.

We each got our own elephant to work with all day. No sharing! This is my elephant for the day, PanaLo. He is the biggest of the pack but a gentle giant. He is 30 years old and has 41 children! All the women in the pack with us were his mates and all the babies his children.

 

Yes, this is real life...

 
There are commands that you can give the elephant that they are trained to understand to get them to go, stop, reverse, lay down and get up. You control the direction of movement by grabbing their ears. The trainers have worked with the elephants for many years so they respond to their trainers like they would a parent. My trainer's voice could get PanaLo to behave in a second.

View from the top of an elephant.

The last day, Jared had to fly back in the morning so Lisa and I spent the day roaming Old City Chiang Mai. Too many temples to name...

This temple we had walked around trying to figure how to get to it. We finally found the right way.

Reclining Buddha... need to do research on why some Buddha's recline...

This story is hilarious. Had to capture!

 We didn't venture here but found the concept intriguing.

If you ever go to Chiang Mai, the elephants for a day or half day is a must!

Macau for Lunch

Sunday we decided to have lunch in another country. We ventured to Macau for a great Portuguese meal. My first trip to Macau! 

Macau used to be leased by Portugal from China. So all the street signs are in Chinese and Portuguese. 

We took a ferry from Hong Kong to Taipa which is about an hour trip. From the port, there are a ton of free shuttle buses to all the hotels and casinos which are about 5-10 minutes away.

When I go back I want to see the Dancing Water show which everyone raves about. 

The Venetian hotel. 

Casino floor. 

Construction on the Paris hotel. 

From the hotel area we took a taxi to the south beach side to find the hidden gem of a restaurant, Fernando's. Amazing food!