I had three options of where to be dropped off in Chiang Mai. I was on the mini-bus from Pai. I could be dropped at the bus station, train station, or the Eastern Gate.

I don't need the bus or train, and I have never been to the Eastern Gate . I know, though, if I can get to the Eastern Gate of the old city, all I have to do is walk around the city to the West Gate and my hostel will not be far away.

The Eastern Gate is the one that has been restored. Very impressive. I check my map and start to walk along the wall. Then, I think I better ask someone first. A woman is setting up for the big street market later. She looks at my map and points in the opposite direction from where I started walking. Glad I asked.

I walked along the wall and the moat, circling the old city. About an hour or so later, I got to the West Gate and the area of the hostel. Once unpacked (it's is near noon), I head out for another adventure.

We applaud and he puts his little hands together and gives us a Wai.

It's one of the most popular Chaing Mai attractions. I hired a private tuk tuk to bring me up in the mountains to this school .

It's the largest monkey school in northern Thailand. Training of the monkeys at this school begins when the monkeys are two months old. As long as one can remember, monkeys have been used by farmers in Thailand to scale the tall coconut palm trees to gather the coconuts. They are mainly seen in the southern part of the country, climbing trees and throwing the coconuts to their waiting masters on the ground below. The school trains the monkeys for the job. They mainly use the Macaque monkeys. People wishing to have their own monkeys trained can bring them to the school where, for a small fee, they will be allowed to train alongside "the professionals". 
  
Once you enter the grounds, you are in for a fun time. The monkeys are playful and very people friendly. Besides being entertained, you can learn a lot about the monkeys if you wish. The trainers are eager to answer your questions and there is an "educational corner" you can visit.

The monkeys eat vegetables, fruit, taro, worms  and various  insects . They also eat rice twice a day in the morning and evening. (I think every Thai does). Their diet is monitored closely. Over or incorrect feeding could cause the monkeys to become overweight, slow, and develop bad habits. They are given milk, fruit and eggs sometimes as a supplemental food at noon. They told us corn and bananas are the monkeys' favorite foods.

It's show time at the Monkey School!

He walks out with his sign, "My Name Is Sam". He walks upright and looks very proud. We applaud and call out "Hello Sam." He places his two small hands together, up near his chest, and bows a little, giving us the traditional Thai Wai.

Sam is very playful and enjoys "monkeying around" with the audience, it seems. His trainer is nearby and Sam likes to keep him laughing as well.

Not only is he playful, but he is very skillful, too. During the show, Sam entertains us (and shows his perfect balance and dexterity) by climbing a coconut tree and retrieving coconuts . Some coconuts have also been hung from a beam, where he shows his skill in climbing up and loosening the coconuts. 

He rides his bicycle around the arena. He looks like he is having fun on his bike, just like any of us do when riding.

He shows us his exercise routine as he lifts a barbell over his head several times. Then he drops to the ground and does push-ups.

He proves he is good at basketball as he makes basket after basket. Each time he completes one of these tricks he stops for applause, and then gives the audience a Wai.

Blocks with numbers from 1-9 are placed on the floor. The trainer tells him a number and Sam goes and picks the block with that number on it up. Then, the audience is given a chance to call out a number for Sam to find. Each time he picks the correct number. Then the blocks are shuffled and someone calls out a number . Sam finds the correct number with no problem.

Not only is Sam very skillful and playful, but he is very lovable. Once the show is over, he walks around the benches and if you want him to join you, he will jump up next to you for a photo. Then he gives you a hug or kiss. Sam wants his picture taken with me. One of us is cute and snuggly!

After the show I walk around the grounds. There are monkeys in a large fenced area climbing trees and playing with each other. They have something they are picking and eating.

There is one small monkey on a table, but there is no fence. There is a light chain around his neck, but he has plenty of room to jump from the table to the ground and back. He picks something to eat and jumps back on the table as I approach. 

A man is sitting at the table with his arms folded across the table. One of the workers, or maybe, the monkeys trainer. Once the monkey has his food, he jumps back on the table and goes over and just sits on the mans folded arms. The man did not say or motion to him, he just did it. I know these monkeys are treated well and love their humans. A dog or other animal would not willingly go lay in someones lap or arms unless they were well treated by the person. 
 
I want to talk more about the treatment of the animals I am seeing in a future post.

I took some videos on the way back to let you see some of the driving here.