We decided we had energy for one more activity and headed over to a snake farm. Now, I am up for anything in the world except things that have to do with snakes or sharks. On our last trip to the Maldives, AJK put that one to the test with scuba diving with sharks and now it was all about the snakes. I am still surprised that I even agreed to walk through the gates of this so-called snake farm (which I found to be exorbitantly expensive at $2 entry fee, and I tried to convince AJK that we should probably spend our money elsewhere, but to no avail).
Anyway, we walked down a little dirt path to a clearing surrounded by benches. In the middle of the clearing were two young Thai boys playing with some of the most deadly snakes on the planet.
Thai people seem to have a fascination with American pop music, and just like at the crocodile show there was a “DJ” sitting next to a radio blaring Britney Spears or whoever. I was supremely uncomfortable with this experience and so I have tried to block it out of my head. I do have vague memories of a guy kissing a cobra on the lips, swinging it around his head and showing us that it still had its venom by having it bite a plastic cup and then showing us the two inches of liquid poison laying within.
These guys obviously did not get how scared I was, as they were pretending to throw snakes at me while I ran around the benches screaming my head off. One of the guys got bit three times during the show by a non-poisonous species, and the other guy narrowly avoided being pierced by a king cobra, who incidentally has venom that can kill a full grown elephant in less than an hour.
After this show, one of the guys walked around with us showing us the other animals that they have. Lots and lots of snakes along with fun creatures such as scorpions the size of your palm, snapping turtles, and strangely enough hedgehogs and a guinea pig.
At one point I leaned over the edge of a tall wall to see what was on the other side. Should not have done that.
It was a snake pit with about fifty or so King Cobras inside, and one of them was on the wall about five inches below my face. The guy offered AJK the opportunity of holding a Burmese python that was about ten feet long. Like I said, the lesson learned is just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Unfortunately, at this point in our trip, we hadn’t yet learned that lesson so AJK agreed. The guy wrapped a ten-foot snake that was about as thick as a large salami all around my husband. The lesson I did learn here is that, I either need to learn to tell AJK no, or ask him to get better life insurance.
I took a few quick pictures and mercifully the snake was removed. Somehow, I survived being there, and after being there for fifteen minutes (which by the way was fifteen minutes too many), I was so ready to leave. I wouldn’t suggest this place unless you really! like reptiles.
Our white car had never looked so good to me. We both relaxed in the car and realized that we were completely exhausted—shocking--considering how we had been racing around Mae-Rim nonstop for the past eight hours, running in and out of activities. We decided to head back to the hotel for a refreshing dip in the pool. We managed to catch sunset by the pool, and we watched the sun slowly set over the mountains.
Afterwards, it was time for our nightly massage. We had decided to try a new massage parlor, because, well, why not? You could go to a different massage parlor every night for a decade there without repeating a place. AJK had read good reviews of a place called the ‘Green Bamboo.’ So, we got ready and headed out. Here is where we found AJK’s second favorite part of Thailand. The Tuk-Tuk.
Tuk-Tuks are Thailand’s answer to taxis. Small, quick, easily accessible and cheap. However, that is where the similarities end. Tuk-Tuks are way better than taxis. They are basically a little seating area that is pulled behind a driver sitting on a motorcycle or little motorized bike. They have a ceiling, but no doors so you get lots of fresh air and excitement, as you may slide out at any time. For about two dollars, one of the tuk-tuk drivers sitting outside the hotel agreed to take us to the spa. It was about ten minutes from the hotel, but the ride was so exhilarating we wished it was further away.
Upon arriving we found a small, peaceful, hut with a stone entryway and beautiful little fountains. Inside, there was a dim, wooden-floored room where we were shown to chairs and offered a foot scrub. This place was less expensive than Cheeva and AJK and I both ended up liking it better.
I chose an hour long foot-massage followed by an hour long facial, and AJK opted for an hour long Thai massage and the facial with me. I, obviously, fell asleep during the massage because it was great. AJK got one of the best massages of his life and promptly made follow-up appointments on the spot for the rest of our time in Chaing-Mai. The facial was amazing, as they make all their own ingredients fresh right before the facial.
I somehow ended up having my face covered in yogurt, seaweed, and sesame paste (think tahini), but aside from smelling delicious it also felt great and left my face smooth and soft. It is not a fancy spa with robes and all that jazz, but it is clean, not crowded, sanitary and all that really matters is that they have great masseurs.
Afterwards, we headed out into the little alley outside the Green Bamboo and we walked up to the main street where we flagged down a Tuk-Tuk like a native. We then went to Chabad for dinner which was delicious. We walked slowly back to the hotel enjoying looking at the little stalls and all that was being sold. We then headed to bed after a crazy, fun-filled, adventure of a day.