![\"20161005-IMG_9401-Chiangmaicel\"](\"http:\/\/claudiasentahbaz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161005-IMG_9401-Chiangmaicel.jpg\")
![\"20161005-IMG_9404-Chiangmaicel\"](\"http:\/\/claudiasentahbaz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161005-IMG_9404-Chiangmaicel.jpg\")
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On our way to Chiang Mai. Beautiful mountains and clouds.
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![\"20161005-IMG_9410-Chiangmaicel\"](\"http:\/\/claudiasentahbaz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161005-IMG_9410-Chiangmaicel.jpg\")
<\/a>We were very curious about Chiang Mai.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Outside of the airport, waiting for a taxi.<\/p><\/div> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Wild elephants won\u2019t let humans ride on top of them. So in order to tame a wild elephant, it is tortured as a baby to completely \u00a0 break its spirit. The process is called\u00a0Phajaan, or \u201cthe crush\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 It involves ripping baby elephants away from their mothers and confining them in a very small space, like a cage or hole in the ground where they\u2019re unable to move.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The baby elephants are then beaten into submission with clubs, pierced with sharp bull-hooks, and simultaneously starved and deprived of sleep for many days.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Did you know that riding elephants can actually cause serious long-term harm too? Their spines are not made to support the weight of humans. I know it\u2019s hard to believe given their size, but Zebras are the same way.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n So sad, isn’t it? So strong!! \ud83d\ude42<\/p><\/div> The only adult male.<\/p><\/div> My face!!! hahahahaha<\/p><\/div>
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\nAfter checking in our hotel we went to the night market.
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\nChiang Mai ended up being one of our favorite places during this trip. The visit to an\u00a0elephant sanctuary was one of the highlights. We wanted to see the elephants but didn’t like that in several places they also offered riding them. That’s why we decided to go to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.
\nI copied below a little bit of an article from\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/expertvagabond.com\/elephants-in-thailand\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOur day started at 6:30 AM when they came for us to our hotel. We traveled in a Tuk Tuk. We were the first ones, we stopped at\u00a0other hotels to pickup\u00a0more guests.
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\nThe elephants we saw are rescued, they are not free in the wild as they should but at least they get to play and be fed by a lot of people.
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\nThis little one was only 2 months old. He leaned on me and oh my!! he was so heavy!! such a cutie. He was a little bit hairy and his skin was rough. Older elephants have softer skin (another baby was born 9 days after our visit).
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\nLike any baby, he got distracted by a piece of dirt.
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\nThe elephant behind had a chain on her leg, they said she was just rescued and they had to do it to prevent her from escaping.<\/a> <\/a> <\/a>
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\nThis one was 3 years old and sooooooo sleepy!!<\/a> <\/a> <\/a>
\nAs soon as he woke up he wanted more bananas.
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\nOn the way to the river for a bath.<\/a>
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\nThe 2 month old didn’t come to the river. He stayed with his Mom in another area in the mud because it was too hot.
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\nLeaving the sanctuary.
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