Elephant Nature Park - Aug 13

Well, here I back again at the Elephant Nature Park - to see , feed and  play with the elephants - visit since last Aug. Things are much the same - a few less elephants - some accommodation changed - the walkway up to the skyway fell down so is being replaced.

Medoc walks past

Intro to the Ele. Kitchen

It is rainy season here at the moment - but wet weather is short and VERY heavy - get used to coming back sodden wet - good idea to put a bar of soap in the pocket and wash as you go!! 

Here are some photos from our first day. As usual pick up is from Chiang Mai around 8am, bus to the volunteer office, and then bus to the Park (about 1 1/2 hours) - then introduction and show around the Park and the building.

We meet the first elephant

Our first elephant feed

We had time to also collect some food (elephant food that is - pumpkins or bananas) and head out for our first "hands on" and meeting of the elephants

We followed this up with lunch before some more instructions and films. Then we finally were allocated to our rooms and collected our luggage. My room is upstairs over looking one of the elephant shelters so it will be good to come out in the mornings and see the elephants there. We might also hear them if they decide to carry on a bit!!

More feeding

Bath time in the river

Getting wet in the river

After lunch we were taken down to the river and help bath the elephants. This involves throwing water over the elephants whilst they stand there. The best fun is to throw the water high and OVER the top of the elephant - then the people standing on the other side get wet. Generally it is more an adventure getting wet!!

A local Thai elder conducts a welcoming Ceremony for all new Volunteers, which involved some sprinkling of water over the new comers, and also tying a string around one's wrist - left for women and right hand for men.

Introduction night

The Elephant Park - at the end of a rainbow

Dinner was slightly late due to the ceremony, and then afterwards we adjourned to the Conference room for our self introduction program - so that we could get to meet all the volunteers that we are spending time with over the coming week

After this we were able to head for our rooms and bed for our first night!!

I am sharing with Sandros from Belgium and who is on the 2 week vet program.