Oh my Buddha!! today we rode elephants!! :o

We booked a day at baanchang elepehant park and got picked up at half 8 in the morning. We were the last to be picked up so we headed straight to the park. We got there (and i woke up!) to see all the elephants in their area! we got very excited and jumped out the van! We were taken into the meeting area and had to change into the parks clothes! we looked like a group of criminals more than excited tourists but we didnt really care that much!

Next our guide introduced himself as Fululu and promised us he wasnt a ladyboy! "100% man with lady name!" Felt quite sorry for him but he smiled and carried on telling us about the park and the way it works. It tries to keep things as natural as possible and they don't teacht the elephant trick like dancing etc which we were pleased about. They do have little sticks with hooks on them to guide the elephant and also "punish" them if they are naughty, but he assured us that they were more for protection and they didnt harm the elephant. Fululu told us about the elephants and was very knowledgable, he also introduced us to each elephant by name and age! There are 17 elephants in the park ( so he had a lot to remember!) and some were rescued from other places, some bought and some were also born at the park. Currently two females are preganant and will be for around 18 months! But there is already a baby in the park and its gorgeous!!! :D

Next us was feeding time! they eat about 250/300 kg a day and we got to feed them bananas and sugar canes. We could give to their trunks for them to eat or we could put it straight into their mouths! We did both and worked our way around the group, there is also an old nellie that is partly blind but she is well looked after and could see enough for us to feed and pat her. We then could pose with the baby for the a pic because everyone wanted to! However this baby knew how to "kiss" so when you stood next to him, he would wrap his trunk around your neck and suck like a hoover!!!! Very funny and a really strange sensation!!

We were then taught the commands to "steer" the elephant whilst riding it and how to get on and stay on! We had a few practice goes around the meeting area to get used to it and to get the commands well and truly learnt! "Nalon!" is lie down so you can climb aboard, "Bi" is forward, "Quai Quai" is right and left ( you have to kick the leg of the way you dnt want it to go as well) and " hoo" is stop!! After all the brain work came food and they served us a great sweet and sour, they gave us so much we had to have a lie down in the hammocks after!

Finally came the trek! Me and sean were up first on the biggest one!! Tom yai she was quite old and had a poorly trunk so we had to watch out for it! We took off up the mountain and just loved every minute! I was on the back first which is much more uncomfortable then nearer the head! Much more movement to contend with also! Up an Up we went and we got sprayed along the way with whatever she could find! We came to flat area and let the elephants rest and wander off without us to feed. We then switched places and headed back down the mountain which we found out is much tricker than going up! Balance is vital and it gets harder when you have to lift your legs to avoid trees! But it was all good fun and the mahouts where nice and helpful with commands and photos. We got back to the camp and it was bath time!! Into the pool we went where we learnt that they liek to poo and wee in!! However the baby does this and then sprays the pee at you!!! But the baby had already had a bath and was safely drying on land! We waded in armed with a bucket and brush and got to work, but it son turned into a water fight with the elephanst and the rest of the group! Sadly we had to get out and shower and leave which we really didnt want too! we left the elephants in the hands of the professionals and were taken back to our hostel.

Overall it has been the best day of the trip so far and we could not have asked for more! The group, elephants, mahouts and experience were incredible and we would certainly recommened it to anyone! Well worth £50!! aha

xxx