Wednesday 20 February 2013

Elephants (love) in Chiang Mai...

Elephant Chiang Mai
I was something like 3-4 years old when my parents asked me the famous question one asks a kid of this age: what is your favourite animal. Imagine their suprised look when I answered (very proudly for an Eastern european kid): an elephant:-))) Nothing common or expected as: cat, dog or may be a donkey... Since then elephants are big love of mine. I have few of them as wooden carving, soft teddybears, etc. around me at home and even at my office. So when I arrived in Chiang Mai in december last year and I started seeing elephants everywhere this made me smile:-) There were elephant statues in most of the streets, sometimes just as simple stone decoration. There were flower pots in elephant shapes, there were wooden elephants and ceramic ones making temple gardens even more charming...Elephants are the inspiration of young Thai artist like Supachet Bhumikarn in the center of ChiangMai, his cute boutique (called ) even has foor handles in elephant shape. By the way did you know that "chaang" is the Thai word for elephant?
Elephants ChiangMai
Elephants ChiangMai
Elephant Chiang Mai
Elephant Chiang Mai
Elephant Chiang Mai


18 comments:

Jeanne said...

Love all of your elephants! Especially the one that you are standing by. Elephants are awesome animals! Thanks for sharing

LilliStJohn said...

My Mom always had a few elephants around the house - small wooden ones a friend had given her many years ago. I have one of them as do my two Sisters. Mom always said they were given to her for luck. I played with them as a child and the first time I saw a real live elephant I was in awe of their eyes (always thinking with their eyes) and very magnificant creature. They still keep me mystified. These photos are just wonderful. Thankyou Jana :)

Koryn said...

When we went to Thailand, they also said that in the olden days, only the royalty were given the privilege to ride elephants.

Did you get to ride an elephant? :)

Joop Zand said...

Good post Jana..... i love Elephants to.....good photo's

Greetings, Joop

Dietmut said...

Jana, ik heb weer genoten. Groetjes Dietmut

Lies said...

Jij kan me 'soms' nog verbazen, Jana... !
Lie(f)s.

Filip and Kristel said...

I am impressed that you find so many different elephants. You probably look forward to the next Thailand adventure.

Greetings,
Filip

kulasa said...

oh elephants! they are such wonderful animals with very unique characteristics..not quite every child's favorite though and you gave me huge smiles when I read that part when you surprised your parents :) love love all your cheerful photos here especially the last one...thank you again for taking me to another awesome place! :)

Erika said...

Nice shots. Wish you a good week-end.

betchai said...

you look so joyful Janna, at 3 years old, I wonder if I knew about elephants :) haha. but I can see why that was your favorite, elephants are just so adorable, I love watching them at the wild animal park.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Elephants everywhere! I like the large wooden carved one.

Sarie said...

Dank je wel voor je reactie bij mijn blog Jana.
Leuk Olifanten blog heb je hier, ik houd van Olifanten.

groetjes Greet

Breathtaking said...

I love elephants also, and have six carved wooden elephants on display at home. Your photos showing different places are lovely
and you look so happy:)
Until next time enjoy your travels where ever they take you.
Regards.

Anonymous said...

Wat gaaf de Olifanten...
een blogje waar ik vrolijk van wordt!
Groetjes Cristien

stardust said...

I smiled to see joyful-looking you, Jana. I loved an elephant as a child, too. When my daughter travelled to Thailand, she bought me a ceramic elephant incense stand for me. Did you buy some as a souvenir? At my favorite Sri Lankan restaurant here, I love to see various different elephant ornaments. Have happy days ahead.

Yoko

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Barb said...

I hope you brought one home, Jana - one more elephant in Holland!

AVCr8teur said...

You tell a funny story of your childhood. I bet you bought a few elephant souvenirs home. :) My favorite childhood animal was a monkey.