One of my favorite activites during our visit to Chian Mai was visiting the Maesa Elephant Camp. Absolutely amazing! While learning about the relationship between the elephant and its rider/trainer, it made me wonder if Anne McCaffrey used research on these wonderful giants when she wrote about the dragon riders of Pern - very similar. We were there first thing in the morning to see the elephants come out for the day. They began by visiting with all of us, and then moved into the river where they enjoyed a vigorous scrubbing from their human. They moved into an open air arena to 'show off' by dancing, playing soccer, and painting! Yes, they would hold a small paintbrush with their trunk, and painted pictures of trees, flowers, et. Very cool. I really loved my "huggs".