Letterboxing in Thailand

1 May 2006

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Well, it's about time you might say--that we actually do some letterboxing on this site again. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a single existing letterbox in Thailand before we visited so we set out to change that for future visitors. We started out the day by hopping in a tuk-tuk and attempting to connect to our one urban geocache in Chiang Mai and yet again the owners are out. So after our 3rd & final attempt we give up and file for virtual visit credit instead. :( Then we hop in a taxi and drive about 15km up a winding mountain road to visit Doi Suthep--a prominent temple located high atop a mountain to the west of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. We take a cable car elevator to the top and walk around the temple grounds for a bit.

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One of the smaller temples on the grounds of Doi Suthep.

trkr finds these neat elephant lamp-posts at Doi Suthep. Look at all the detail on it!

I'm studying the bougainvillea and notice a tiny bird's nest just hanging from a thread. I wonder if it's a hummingbird nest?

Here are some interesting dragons that line the steps up to Doi Suthep.

These bells were a big hit for the kids. You were encouraged to ring them in succession and they let out these amazingly low gongs.

This is the view of the Chiang Mai International Airport from Doi Suthep. It was a bit hazy but you could still see for miles.

One of the dogs at the front steps of Doi Suthep quite near the Bo Tree referenced in the letterbox clues.

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Hmmm...I wonder where the letterbox is?

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Chiang Mai & decide to go letterboxing, you must first visit Doi Suthep. For on its grounds is revealed the secret to where the Elephant (Chang) Letterbox is located in the Chiang Mai area.

If you follow the clues correctly, they will lead you to this little trickling waterfall somewhere on the mountain.

rnrB & trkr enjoying some exploration time while I secure a nice letterboxing hiding spot.

The boulders in the area are great fun for the kids.

There was still a bit of water in the falls despite it being the 'dry' season. Wonder what this looks like during the 'wet' season?

If you've followed the clues directly, they should lead you to this abandoned abode. Somewhere in this photo is the super-secret location of the Elephant (Chang) Letterbox. Enjoy your visit!

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After planting the letterbox & locating a real live geocache in the area, we hop in a taxi and continue 150km Southwest to Doi Intanon National Park where we'll hike and explore most of the rest of the day. Don't worry--photos will soon follow...