Day 13 - Mae Khaam and walk

(L - As exp0lained in the previous page, we all had to share mattresses and floor in the single room - thids is an early view - it seemed as though every one slept in the same posture - like spoons alongside each other)

(R - A family picture from the lady next door)



(L - We took our gear down to the truck to load, which left us free for the 90 minute walk ahead)


(R - We meet our two elephants for the walk ahead - the big bull, followed by Mae Khaam - which mans "Golden Mother" in Thai)




(L - We meet Mae Khaam for the first time - she seemed very placid and peaceful)

(R - Mae Khaam checks us out)




The next photos are from the walk up the hillside, so I have not added any particular narration to some pictures)













(R - On the trip up there were occasional stops for "refreshments" on the road side)


(L - So what are you lot looking at>>)







(L - Even some of the local villagers turn out to have a look)


(R - Mae Khaam follows the big bull, which is ridden by a mahout)



(L & R - A small water crossing the road proves an obstacle for some)








(L - But not everyone!!)



(R - The Mahout turns the elephants off the road and into the jungle)






(L - The track is UPPPPP)


(R - And we follow - although not quite as easily!!)




(L - The Mahout cleans mud out of the broken tusk stump)

(R - The sun can be hard on the skin, so this was a good stop for a dirt shower)



(L - Let's take a snack to nibble on the journey)

(R - One of the volunteers gets up close to Mae Khaam)








(L - Our group say their farewells)


(R - Our group photo!!)








Then disaster struck!! The elephants found a muddy water pool, and decided to cool off. They filled their trunks and squirted the muddy water - EVERYWHERE - including the surrounding volunteers!!

(L & R - Victoria from Hawaii received most of the mud - she said that she loves the new elephant so much she may not wash for days!!)

Day 12 - Up to Hill Tribe Village

We finally got the go ahead to go up country to check out the condition of the new elephant that Lek is trying to transfer to the Park.

(Left - we stopped at a market for supplies)

This elephant is an ex-trekking elephant, who has had two calves before - but she killed both - thought to be due to stress. She is now carrying the third calf, which is due within the next month or so, and the hope is that is they can transfer her to the Park they will be able to reduce the stress, with the presence of the other elephants, and therefore save this calf.

(R - Lunch was served at a roadside cafe - this is the menu - select your meal - all about Aus $1)
(L - The kitchen)



(R - Part of our group enjoying their meal)



The villagers where the elephant is situated is up in the mountains a seven hour drive from the Park. They are also very spiritual and anything can hinder the transfer process. Last week one of the elders had a dream involving geckos, and this was considered a bad omen, so the transfer was postponed again.

(L - The scenery on the way up)

It is estimated that the elephant will probably be too stresses to travel by truck, so it will be a matter of walking the elephant to the Park - a trip expected to take about 6 days. This is normally done using teams of volunteers walking with the elephant. Normally the convey has to go via the jungle as elephants are not allowed on most roads. They stop each night at villages who are used to these transfers, and provide some basic flat surface where the volunteers can sleep!!! (In varying degrees of uncomfort!!)

(R - After 5 hours of driving we transferred to a 4 wheel drive vehicle)

(L - Travel now was a little more spartan)

(R - But some people sat down - for many short spells)

This particular blog covers our trip up to the village.

(L & R - The other vehicle follows)







(L - The scenery as we climbed higher)

(R - Finally arriving at the village)






(L - The walk up to our accommodation)

(R - Our home for the night)






(L - The view from the window was very nice)

(R - But the bedroom was lacking a few refinements - like beds, mattresses, blankets, etc!! Mattresses did finally appear, so we all slept in linesw on the floor - as one girl said "it was the first tim she had slept with 12 people!!))

(L - Facilities were outside and similarly spartan)


(R - The facilities included a toilet and shower - the squat toilet was flushed with a dipper from the tub of water on the right hand side. The shower was obtained in the same way - all icy cold!!)

(L - After coming to terms with the accommodation the volunteers started to explore the village)


(R - The local kids loved having their pictures taken, and then seeing the image on the digital screen)


(L - We brought gifts of packets of chips and nibbles for the children, who when advised of the hand outs quickly formed into two lines)

(R - With the hand out completed and the village explored, we settled down to dinner)