Being touched by an elephant..

I arrive back at the park yesterday and ofcourse the smile on my face, going straight out to the field i find myself amoungst elephants and the smiles and hugs of the guides...it's nice to be back. I spent all afternoon out in the field, not recording data, not looking at vegetation not doing any work, but just appreciating whats around me. Just enjoying watching the elephants, a nice way to spend the day. Ive been asked do the elephants know you, do they recognise you, well if im onest before today i wasnt sure. But standing near them today, Thato grazing afew feet in front me as i stand with debbie, thato looks up and i notice her trunk extending towards me, as she moves close i put my hand out, she rapps her trunk around my hand and brings it close to her mouth, letting go she then lifts her trunk up and head up opening her mouth which she does when they get milk, i had no milk her trunk sniffed around me, she put her trunk in my hair wraped it round my hand once again.... she new it was me, after being away for a week, she still new i was one of the ones who gave her milk and who saw her evryday for 4 weeks.

Wow, it really was the perfect way to come back, an elephants intellegence is far greater than anything, it just like she new i was hear to see them just for a short time.

As 5.30 neared the elephants begun there walk back, walking behind them towards the boma, into the boma, and so it was a lovely afternoon once again.

Walking in the park tonight as the stars peered through the clouds i perfect way to see the park, everything quiet.

As the morning begun, i went out at 6.30, i had time for one last activity buget this time shungu, who's mum is leaving tomorow and shungu is now going to be out with the herd on a perminant basis. I recorded until 10, and from there i had the last half an hour in the field, i didnt no how to begin to start my goodbyes...all the elephants alll the guides... but as i said good by and walked past mashudu and thato, i saw a trunk come out and i put my hand out and met the trunk, im not sure whos it was but it was a goodbye.

I walked back out of the field leaving some happy elephants grazing in the sun, that was my goodbye!

From there it was evryone at the boma and the offices etc to say goodbye to, by 11 oclock i was leaving the park.

Saying goodbye to dayne next, (edge of africa) they have given me so much and looked after me so well it was something i really did not want to have to do. Things oviously come to an end, and new things start in there place. I will be back and i know now that there are alot more adventures to come!

Now my last night in knysna, time for packing once again,and getting ready for the last 10 days in South Africa!

A million memories to follow me evrystep of the way, as i fly home they travel with me,, alsways a memory to look back at and always a happy memory that i can look back and be proud of, i have just spent the most incredabele 10weeks of volunteering and meeting some incredable people, so...

Let the ADVENTURE CONTINUE!!!