Baanchang elephant park

We were dropped off near a local market where we had time to buy some fruit for breakfast. We met Pong who was to be our tour guide for the next couple of days. He was so chatty and friendly right from the start. He offered to carry our fruit and water for the trek. We got in another pick up truck which took us further into the rainforest.

We got dropped on the side of the road and began our trek to the elephant sanctuary. It was late morning and we could feel the heat already. The path began uphill and then we started walking through corn fields. There was an amazing view of the mountains covered in greenery and bursting with life. It was lovely to see the rainforest in rainy season as everything was so green and the crops were all flourishing. As we walked pong would point out different trees and fruit that were growing. When we went past some dragonfruit plants which were lexis favourite fruit so we stopped to take pictures. One of the farmers came over and cut off a dragon fruit for each of us. Pong explained that if someone gives you something from the fields it is customary to give them something back when you pass through again.

It was very humid in the rainforest but we enjoyed keeping up the pace as we made our way through many fields. Pong commented on how quick we were at walking. We also came across an old woman resting in a wooden shack by her crops. She was half the height of me and wearing wellies covered in mud. Pong tried to talk to her but she didn't understand Thai. He told us that she is likely to be from the Mong tribe who's elder members only speak their native tongue. What's interesting about the Mong language is that it doesn't have a written version or alphabet.

We continued in the heat for a couple of hours before stopping for a lunch break. Pong had led us to a nice wooden shelter with seats and a proper toilet. He got out all the fruit we had bought and collected along the way. He laid it all out in front of us on a banana leaf. He also went to pick us one of the pomelo fruits we had noticed on the trees nearby. He was intent on finding a good one as I had said that it was my favourite Thai fruit. We had already eaten lots of fruit and I started to get worried that it was all we had to eat for lunch. 10 minutes later two guys turned up on a motorbike. I was so happy when they gave us containers full of hot flat noodles for us to eat. It was just what we needed and the food was so fresh. After we had eaten, pong said we could have a break for a nap.

We slept for a good hour and then packed up our stuff for the last part of the trek. It involved going up over a big hill. Along the way pong kept finding big spider webs and brushing them out of our way. As we made our way down the hill we saw an elephant coming our way. We let it come to us, and it was being followed by a few tourists who were on the day version of our trip. They had just fed the elephants and were following this one as it went to find food in the forest. Of course all the elephants had their Mahoots by their side when they left the elephant sanctuary. Mahoots grew up with the elephants and could talk to them.

When we had arrived at the elephant sanctuary we took a few pictures of the view. Set behind the elephant park were the mountains and there was a small river running through. There were many houses within the sanctuary and the huts where we were staying in that night were toward the end where the elephants stayed. You could see why this place was perfect for elephants. There was so much terrain for them to wonder within the sanctuary but also the rainforest was easily accessible up the hill. We were told that elephants eat 250kg of food per day so they constantly need access to food.

First of all we were shown how to make medicine for the elephants. We used a large mortar and pestle to make balls of food that help elephants' digestion. It contains turmeric, sugar cane, banana, corn and several other things. We then went to feed one of the elephants. We were taught that if you hold the food above your head and say 'bon' then the elephants are trained to open their mouths so that you can place the food directly in.

After that we changed into our bikinis and went to help bathe one of the elephants. We got to scrub 'Jo Jo' the elephant with a brush and also climb on his back at one point. He enjoyed putting his head under the water and just breathing using his trunk.

That evening Pong had promised to show us how to make some Thai food. We were lucky because we were getting special treatment while being there. Only Lexi and I were staying the night for the 2 day package so we had time with the elephants on our own and that evening we socialised with the people that worked at the sanctuary. The chef laid out all the ingredients we needed and Pong talked through how to make a Thai green curry. We also made some mixed vegetables. The whole meal was delicious. There was also the addition of chicken kebabs that were cooking on the BBQ while we cooked.

After the meal, another Thai worker joined us and we all played cards. Pong taught a few games and then asked us to teach them one. The other two Thais didn't speak any English so as I explained how to play cheat, Pong had to translate the rules to them. The game was quite hard because Pong struggled to understand some of the rules so would translate the wrong things. But it added to the entertainment and made the game more of a challenge. We were exhausted and got an early night. We slept quite comfortably in our own little wooden huts.

The next morning the chef made us scrambled eggs and more fruit. It was funny being served in the restaurant where we were the only customers. We joined a larger party of people who had come to the sanctuary for the day. We were given navy farm outfits to wear so the elephants could recognise us and so we didn't get dirt on our own clothes. We got to feed the elephants bananas and sugar cane. They ate bag loads. The santuary has 4 adult elephants and 1 naughty baby elephant. We had to be wary of him because he liked to head butt toursits' playfully.

We then followed the elephants as they were taken into the rainforest for a walk. It was nice to be around elephants in their natural habitat and see them just enjoy being elephants. The elephants were allowed to wonder around a lot of the time.

After lunch we split from the group and were taken off in the van to a local Mong village. We met an old woman selling traditional necklaces and hats. She was half my height but was very happy and quirky.

Next we were taken to go white water rafting. We were a bit nervous about the safety of this foreign company as they seemed quite relaxed to be taking 4 of us in a boat instead of 6. But it turned out to be great fun and the guy leading us was very experienced and clear with his instructions. We had lots of opportunities to stop and just float down the river enjoying the views of the surrounding trees and mountains in the background. The afternoon had turned out sunny with blue skies, it was perfect.