When we first booked the 2 day elephant training with Thom's Elephant Camp, I have to admit we were both a little worried about going anywhere near an elephant let alone riding one... But now after 2 days with the MASSIVE but gentle animals I want to take one home (maybe I can just book an extra seat on the plane?).

Day 1
We got picked up at 8:30 where we were aloud to feed the elephants bananas and get comfortable touching and walking near them... Not long enough for my liking! It was only about 5 minutes before we where being housted up. Ot (our elephant) used his trunk to flip us on his back (not as bad as it sounds). Once we were comfortable (elephants are very wide... so not that comfortable) we set off on a 2hr trek through the mountains ending at the river. The mountain was rocky and steap in places but Ot was very careful and after a while Jo and I felt more stable and less likely to fall. Once at the river we played Ot in the water. He sprayed us and we washed him. Then he turned into a real life bucking bronco (bucking to the trainers command) bucking us into the water. Great fun and very refreshing.

Once we made it back to camp we fed the elephants and jumped into the hot spring to relieve our aching legs... After dinner we had a lesson with Thom on what commands to use and how to get the Elephant to do things... Really they do what they want! but it is fun trying. The afternoon was spent trying!

The elephants sleep in the mountains where they can eat plenty of food. We walked them to their bed for the night about 2 hour round trip. That night we slept very well after a home cooked dinner with Thom.

Day 2
Early start (6pm) to collect the elephants from the mountain. We took a quick detour to the river to drink and have a quick elephant bath before returning to camp to feed the elephants more food (they would eat all day if you let them). After breakfast (rice, pork and egg) we practised some more with the elephants trying to get them to listen. I think once or twice they did???? then we went on our final elephant trek to the river again. More baths and showers and drinking, before heading back to camp to say goodbye.

I would recommend this to anyone. I was very scared at the begining but by the end I was very confident. The elephants were so gentle and the trainers were really nice. They would teach us Thai along the way and laugh when the elephant didn't listen...

Jo and I were very sad when it was all over. Missing the hugs from these big gentle giants... We will be back!