Hi,
My family (2 adults, 1 11 year old & 1 16 year old) are going to spend 8 nights in Chiang Mai Thailand in October.
Looking for suggestions on:
Or anything else you'd like to say!
This is horrible - reminds me of Blackfish.
Spent a week at Elephant Nature Park, and I'll agree. They do great work by rescuing elephants from the tourism and lumber industries; you can't ride them, and you help by preparing feed, etc. Most of the other purported 'sanctuaries' are just redressed zoos pivoting for TripAdvisor ratings. As far as tigers, I'd avoid them entirely. Any actual sanctuaries wouldn't allow guests anywhere near them, the rest are just photo-ops for tourists.
Also unless you hate animals and their welfare don't buy their flesh, skin, milks, eggs, fur or any other derivative. Chiang Mai has a vibrant plant based food scene.
found the vegan
For some, going a day without reminding people they're vegan, is like trying to hold in a breath.
@Strand0410: For some, going a minute without hinting that humans that eat meat are the lowest forms of existence (despite necessary B12 vitamins and other benefits), is like trying to hold in a breath (or you could just become a breatharian and keep that breath in forever).
and just for the record, i don't give a shit about the animals, much like i don't give a shit about most humans too.
@insular: I don't give a shit about you or most people either. I don't give a shit about the elephants. But I don't see how that gives me licence to violate your own peaceful existence.
http://yourveganfallacyis.com/files/fallacy/media/tumblr_n7k…
@Strand0410: I don't hold my breath about domesticated animals (in Asia, Australia, anywhere) for the same reason you didn't hold your breath about elephants and tigers in Asia. Just that I think it better to fix our own issues first before looking at what others might be doing wrong.
@thevofa: when meat tastes that amazing, i think that's licence enough. i'll print one now in MS paint.
But I don't see how that gives me licence to violate your own peaceful existence.
and i don't feel violated when i eat meat ????
Hope you didn't travel there by plane.
This.
Ensure the only animal you ride is the high horse.
In Australia we treat animals with upmost care. Kfc and chicken eggs come from a deathless nirvana of happy thoughts and joy….
Yes, our peaceful ahimsa farms are like no other in the world, not like all those other cruel cultures. Why else would they be tolerated on Ozbargain? E&OE.
3* (or higher) accommodation preferably within the city limits
No specific recommendations as I've only stayed at hostels, but Chiang Mai is a smallish city. Book anything near the old city (square, surrounded by moat, quite obvious on Google Maps), Tha Phae gate is a good landmark.
Saving money is like any other city in SEA: haggle, and insist on organising, booking and paying for as many things as you can yourself. If you do it from a lobby, or the many English-speaking travel agents, they'll always charge a cut, even if it's something simple like calling the train company which you can do yourself online.
change ur money at super rich they have a web site/app to check the rate, it's one of the best and they have a kiosk just near the bts train on the lower level of the airport.
THISI only change at Superich in Thailand - best rates around (if not so many locations).
Look at Minicost guest house on web. About $40 p/not for a spacious and tastefully decorated room with day bed and with ensuite and front balcony. Own chairs outside your air conditioned room. Quiet in back street behind Montri Hotel. Very close to Thapae gate. Very central. No pool. Great location run by Aussie couple. Great local restaurant across the road. Very central. If you get a third floor room it is great place to watch the hot air balloons float across the roof tops and high into sky. This will happen at Loy Kratong festival as will street procession . Not sure of date. Also have decorated floats on display in nearby moat. Local What also has Saturday market.We have stayed there three times. Very hospitable hosts. Most helpful.
You could check AIrBNB if you need an apartment- lots in Chiang Mai with decent reviews. (We usually stay at one of the Dusit hotels which are right in the thick of things and reasonably priced.)
Plus one to not supporting the elephant/tiger places that are not sanctuaries, can also advise being wary of visiting the 'Long Neck Karon' tribes, who have been displaced from their homes and forced into posing for tourists. If you visit the temples beware of young kids or those dressed in traditional clothes who offer to pose for photos- they'll pick your pocket and remove your watch before you even blink.
Tours are a dime a dozen there so it's easy to wait to book things. Definitely rent a driver for the day and go to the White and Black Temples up near Chiang Rai- amazing. As for money saving everything is relatively cheap but if you visit Warowat Market instead of the more touristy Night Market, things are much cheaper- we picked up a whole bunch of homewares for a great price. Can also recommend Chiang Mai cooking school if you love Thai cuisine, you get lots of great recipes to bring home and it's an enjoyable day out!
Please DO NOT go anywhere where you can ride an elephant or have a photo taken with a tiger. Unless of course you hate animals and their welfare. Google breaking an elephant to see how they manage to get an elephant to the point of having you in its back. (Distressing viewing).
Elephant nature park (http://elephantnaturepark.org/) is the real deal if you want to support somewhere that takes in abused elephants (you learn their history and it's quite horrific in some cases, but the are rescued and happy and it's heart warming) and promotes healthy elephant tourism.