HOUSE KEEPING: Remember when you click on the pictures in "Where's Johnny Jet," they will open up in another window. Just click the "x"(close) in each picture to get back to the newsletter. This should alleviate complaints about closing Johnny Jet. Thanks again for your support, and remember: If you book trips on the web, please go through JohnnyJet.com. (It will save you money).
ELEPHANT BACK RIDE
Who would ever have thought that I would go on my second ever elephant back ride in a period of two months? This trip was completely different from the elephant back safari in South Africa. First of all, there weren't any wild animals to spot. Secondly, the guide didn't have a gun and thirdly, I wasn't riding on a saddle but a chair.
ASIAN ELEPHANT
In South Africa, I was told that Asian elephants are much smaller. They sure are ... they're about half the weight. In Thailand, I was told that the Asian elephant is smarter than the African elephant and after watching them demonstrate their traditional logging skills, I tend to agree. (Elephants can carry 1,000lbs and pull a ton.) It turns out that there are supposedly 3,000 domesticated elephants in Thailand and about 1,000 wild. The domesticated Asian elephants have been working alongside men since the early history of the country and these gentle giants are an important symbol of the kingdom. The caretaker is called a Mahout, which is an Indian name.
CHIANG DAO ELEPHANT CAMP
In and around Chiang Mai, there are a total of fourteen elephant camps and some don't have the best reputation (i.e. animal abuse) so choose wisely. We drove an hour from the hotel to the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp, which is where the best hotels send their guests. It's visible from the road but to get to the actual camp requires walking over a long wooden suspension bridge. Most people get there for the 10am elephant demonstration and bath but to avoid the crowd, I recommend arriving right when they open at 8am. Do the ride, then watch the 30-minute
show, then feed the animals and then go on the float trip.
THE RIDE
When I first got on my elephant and sat in the chair (with a seatbelt, no less!), it didn't feel all that stable. We were walking along some pretty narrow paths and I thought that if this guy loses his balance, I'm cooked. It would suck to be squashed by an elephant. These guys eat 500lbs of food a day (they like bananas and sugar cane) and they drink about 60 gallons of water. But they have a bladder smaller than a dog's ... huh? I also learned that male Asian elephants have tusks and they have 40,000 muscles in their trunk. The elephant's pace on this tour is very slow but bear in mind, they can run up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) an hour. The elephant ride costs only 1,000 baht ($32USD) but your guide, if you have one, typically pays the fee. The highlight for me was when the elephant took a right turn and walked through the center of the Ping River for about 15 minutes. Cool doesn't even begin to describe it!
LISU HILLTRIBE VILLAGE
We took the elephant ride for about 50 minutes up to the Lisu Hilltribe village. I actually thought it was the end of the line and that we were back where we started but that obviously wasn't the case. We were just halfway. The village was quiet since it was so early. I used a restroom then watched a woman cook breakfast for her baby in her one-door house; houses never have more than one door. After I bought some homemade goods from the souvenir tables, I jumped back on the elephant. The Hilltribe people migrated south from China over 100 years ago and are now in Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. There are six major tribes: The Karen, The Hmong, The Yao, The Akha, The Lahu and The Lisu. The main profession of all these tribes is farming and each tribe has their own culture, religion, language, art and dress. The Lisu tribe like to settle near the tops of mountains and as close as possible to streams. Supposedly, The Lisu are the best looking people, which is why they are the least bashful and is perhaps why the camps choose their village over the others.
FLOAT DOWN THE PING RIVER
After the elephant ride, the majority of folks go on a private gentle float (cost is 500 baht) down the Ping River. It's so slow and popular, it's almost like Disneyland, so it's important to get there early to avoid the crowds. Even with a float in front of me and behind, it was still very relaxing. We just sat back and enjoyed the natural sights. We spotted a Kingfisher. The raft is long, probably 20 feet, and is made from bamboo; it's doubled up so you don't get wet. Our captain didn't speak English but that was okay. We had Chintana and there wasn't much to say, anyways. I could tell he was cool though. Just his facial expressions and the huge spliff of whatever he was smoking, said it all. He then handed me a bamboo reed so I could steer. When Mike took over, he started singing like he was in Venice. Man, you can take boy out of Italy but you can't take Italy out of the boy. BTW: The water is shallow, only about four feet deep, but in September during the rainy season, it's six feet higher. In the old days, this is how people would get to Bangkok but it took them three months. Yikes!
WHEN TO GO
What's nice about Chiang Mai weather is that there isn't the high humidity that you'll find in Bangkok. It's also dryer here. The best time to go is between mid-November and January when the average temperatures range between 56 degrees Fahrenheit and 83 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius). Up in the hills gets even colder so bring a sweater. The hot season is considered March to May when the temperatures range between 63 degrees Fahrenheit and 97 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius and 36 degrees Celsius). The wet season is mid-June to November but the rainiest period is during August and September.
NEXT WEEK Next week, we return back to the States but only for about an hour. We'll be headed to another foreign country but it won't be foreign to most.
*If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!
SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
I went to Phuket many years ago? Love that place! Nice article and shots! Matt W – Seattle, WA
I just put Thailand on my travel list. George S. – Baltimore, MD
You really think that Delta flight attendant is good looking? If so, you'd better check your foreign water sources!! Donald - Oregon
Hi Johnny, Greetings from Seoul! Next time you are in SE Asia, you have to go on the MV Super Star Virgo, Check out StarCruises.com, they are wild and nothing like any other cruise ship. Chris K - LaVerne CA
What a nice and professional report you gave about Amsterdam). Even as a (tall) Dutchmen I can learn from some facts I didn't know.
Good luck with your travel adventures. Kan J – Holland.
I have enjoyed your stories and website. You have a great job and
Thailand sounds good. Dave – Portland, OR
I always read your newsletters, they are the best! You need someone to carry your bags? I can do that and make you laugh. I added some stuff to Youtube, check it out
joey d - NYC
Thailand looks great. It has long been on my travel wish list. Your article made me want to go even more. Jerome S – Boulder, CO
I just heard about your wonderful website, and am hoping you'll have some advice for me. This May, our US-based NGO will be bringing a group of 15 volunteers from the US to Liberia as part of a program called "Ten Days." We offer a hands-on, grassroots opportunity for ordinary people to be involved in extraordinary projects throughout the developing world. While in Robertsport, Liberia, we will build a beautiful home, and place of healing, learning and excellence for exceptional young people from difficult circumstances. Thank you for providing such a fabulous service! Tina Beck - Ten Days – Strongheart House
Thailand is one of my favorite places. I Iove it up North. I enjoy following your journeys. I wish I was on the road. I love what I do in L.A. but being "out there" is just where I belong. I daydream all the time about where my next trip will take me and about the people that I'll meet. I hesitated for hours to actually type this paragraph and with the risk of sounding like an obsessed fan, I want you to know how much I would really like to chat with you. I think about meeting up with you a lot. The opportunity to meet with someone I admire so much is such a rare opportunity. I have just never met anyone with your experience and worldly passion. The fact you are absolutely gorgeous, hot and have the most striking eyes I've ever seen on any man does not hurt either. E.K. – Los Angeles, CA
FEEDBACK FOR DAVE
The Culinary tour of Baltimore article that was included in today's e-newsletter is just fantastic! Sara H. – Baltimore, MD
Loved the Baltimore restaurant article! Our little city does not get enough good press these days. Also the great photography by John Simeon. You should have more of his awesome photo's... George S. – Baltimore, MD
FEEDBACK FOR MATT
Fun story from Matt, sounds like he had quite an adventure at Mammoth. Looking forward to part two! Laura J - Mammoth Lakes, CA
*Please note that we reserve the right to post excerpts, perhaps edited, from your message on the Johnny Jet website and newsletter. We will not use your full name without your express permission. If you'd rather not have your message posted on the website or newsletter, just say so and it won't be.
HOUSEKEEPING
This Newsletter is sent by permission only. If you wish to subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription at any time, please login
HERE. If you have any questions or suggestions
please send message addressed to Johnny@JohnnyJet.com
• About
Johnny • Publicity
• Newsletter
Archive • My
Mom • Photogallery
• Contact
Us 
