THE ELEPHANT IS THE NATIONAL ANIMAL AND MUCHED LOVED BY ITS PEOPLE. I ENJOYED RIDING AN ELEPHANT FOR 1 HOUR IN A PARK -- WHERE WE CROSSED RIVERS, RAVINES, AND HILLS. WHAT A RUSH!!! A MAJOR HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP WAS THE GRAND PALACE IN BANGKOK, WITH THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS -- SEE IN THE PHOTO, HE IS WEARING A NAME TAG FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW HIM. HOW MANY GUARDS DO YOU KNOW OF, THAT WEAR NAME TAGS? THE PEOPLE ARE VERY WARM AND RESPECTFUL OF YOU. FROM GOOD MORNING TO GOOD NIGHT, THEY PUT THEIR HANDS TOGETHER AND BOW THEIR HEAD TO GREET YOU. THIS WAS VERY ENJOYABLE TO SEE -- SO MUCH ASTEEM THEY GIVE TO OTHERS. THE CUISINE WAS JUST FANTASTIC, WITH ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF RICE DISHES. MY FAVORITE WAS STICKY RICE. I ENJOYED THE HILL TRIBE PEOPLE NEAR THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE AHKA TRIBE WITH THEIR CHILDREN -- ONE WEARING A PRETTY BEADED SWEATER AND THE OTHER WEARING A TRADITIONAL GRAY TOP. AREN'T THOSE HEAD DRESSES PRETTY? DON'T PASS UP A CHANCE TO RIDE THE TRAIN THAT RUNS OVER "THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI" FROM WWII AND THE TV MOVIE. SHOPPING WAS SUPER FANTASTIC, WITH MANY DEALS ON GOLD IN CHANG MAI, AND BARGAINS AT THE FLOATING MARKET. DOESN'T THAT PICTURE OF THE WOMAN IN BLUE, IN HER BOAT, WITH A BLUE PARASOL, LOOK INVITING? IT SAYS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY? GOING AROUND TOWN IN A TOOK TOOK -- A MOTORIZED 3 WHEEL SCOOTER, IS A MUST FOR THE EXPERIENCE. I ENJOYED TRAVELING, SHOPPING, AND EATING MY WAY THROUGH TAILAND.