Friday in Pattaya

Friday in Pattaya.

We got up and headed out to the Elephant Sanctuary with Bill, Helena, Mark and Annie to ride Elephants! They had Thai dancing then elephant battles and then we went for a ride on an elephant.

This was one of the decorated elephants that was part of the performance.
They literally just walk these elephants around the open areas, and you better just get out of the way.... I thought it was funny, as in the US there would be security up all over keeping people away...but not here - you were up close and "look out" came out of my mouth a few times to H so she didn't get run over :)

For 50bat (not even $2) I got to hug a tiger (scary!! but cool) and hang out with this monkey.
The Monkey put his hand down my tank and do I had to hold it - he made me laugh hard!
I am pretty sure both the tiger and the monkey were drugged - as really, it is not in their nature to hang out with humans... so that made me sad, but at the same time, how could I pass up this opportunity? I loved the whole experience!

Below is the elephant H and I rode. It was bumpy and fun.
Much better photos on our cameras! We saw a baby elephant too - so very cute, I called it Dumbo :)

Below is our view from the ride.

Friday night was the Grooms dinner...which was Chantanas Family meeting everyone from the USA for the first time. It was at Cabbages and Condoms. The place is set in the trees and overlooking the ocean, we go there just as the sun was setting and had some fabulous sunset photos...on my camera, not on my phone - drat! (I use my phone to upload photos to the blog).
The restaurant is owned by the man who owns the condom factory. The profits go to educating locals in rural areas on STDs, and to build schools. They believe that sex education and protection should be as easily and readily available as cabbage and vegetable gardens. They give away condoms to all patrons... so yes we all have condoms...woohoo!

It was a great night of more traditional Thai food. Yummy! And good drinks and good fun people. H and I are getting used to greeting people in Thai and bowing instead of shaking hands. I actually like it :)

We took a tuk-tuk home. Basically we are all in the back of a pick up truck and hanging out - it was a lot of fun!