We just noticed today that the Elephant Valley Project in Sen Monorom, in which we'd really wanted to visit is not open on Sat-Sun!! :(( We called directly to the olace and asked whether we could come to a short visit to see the elephants today after 2pm, when we arrive there, but we couldn't 'cause they come to town already early and then are closed for the weekend. :C
So we're not foong to see the elephants and can't take care of them, that is a disappointment, for sure! But cannot help it now, if we'd maybe noticed that yesterday, we could've gone there already yesterday..but we didn't so, can't help it now.. Gotta figure smth else to do, then.
You can have an elephant tour elsewhere, but I'd like to see the animal before riding it shortly, to see that it is not mistreated (as they may sometimes be over this region). Elephants are somehow such great and kind and respectful animals, that I'd just want to hug them. ;o)
We had a nice bteakfast in the Red Sun Falling, a good sized B.L.T baguette and a waffle with syrup and a nice cup of coffee. And all this 8$ altogether. The waffle was to share, but still. And our driver picked us up at ten sharp. So off to Sen Monorom and Mondulkiri then!
--- Arrived to Phanyro guesthouse, little cottages about 5mins walk away from the "centre". For 8$/night a fairly good deal. Nothing fancy, but basic ok. Hot water, no smelly sheets, so ok.
Had drinks at the Green House, and asked around about elephant treks, but it turned out that they're fully booked for tomorrow :( We would have wanted only an hours' trek or so, but cannot then. Stupid luck. There's 6 elephants at one village and 10 on the other. But if we want to just go and see them, and cuddle them, etc., that will be fine. Gotta know at which time the elephants would be in there, then. And not off on treks. Gotta ask. Hopefully we'd manage to do even that! Then we thought about going to visit on a coffee plantation and buy some local coffee. And maybe to see some waterfalls (though I personally aren't so interested about them).