Chiang Mai

My new friend Mr. Parker. I think he is the biggest cat in the big tiger cage. (Tiger Kingdom).

Yes Mr. Parker has teeth (Tiger Kingdom).

Pajama party (Tiger Kingdom).

This tigress was the youngest and smallest in the big tiger cage. She was hyperactive just before I took this picture with her. She is a beautiful cat. (Tiger Kingdom)

The tiger on the left walked toward me as soon as I stepped into the cage. Fortunately he did not come over to maul me. (Tiger Kingdom)

My first time riding a baby elephant. The trainer tried to impress me by asking the baby elephant to do tricks while I was sitting on it.

I also rode a bigger elephant.

Elephants like ripe bananas and sugar canes for treats.

Night market by the south side of the old city.

The women of the Karen minority are famous for having artificially extended long necks. This woman has 28 rings on her neck. The rings weigh 5 kilos.

It is probably my best picture of the Karen women.

Wat Buparam, one of the 90 or so Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, is a local cultural center.

This reminded me of the 7 headed breast in the Book of Revelation.

Temples in Thailand are highly ornamented.

A bazaar by the western gate of the old city.

These stupas were built by the military in commemoration of the Thai king and queen. Pieces of Buddha were installed at the tips of the stupas.

The Mong minority people are Christians.

A different group of Karen minority people make up the 90 residents of Sodhad Village. This group is also Christian.