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So it's been a little while since I last blogged, sorry about that. I have been very busy at the elephant sanctuary,elephant nature park. I went with high expectations and have been overwhelmed by how much the experience was better than I could have ever dreamed. It was hard work scooping poop, unloading tons and tons of fruit and then washing and cutting it,let alone harvesting the corn and loading it on the van. The rides to and from our work stations on the back of trucks was fun and interesting! We had many mini adventures including tumbling out of broken tree houses and falling off benches, but we can laugh as no one was hurt!
Throughout the week our work was separated by breaks feeding the beautiful elephants and bathing them. We all got to watch the 3 month old baby showering, mud bathing (which we had to prepare which involved us of course jumping it!) And just generally playing! We were lucky enough to visit a temple, be blessed by monks and watch traditional Thai dancing, oh and our fantastic guides mix and aek put on a Thai lesson which involved lots of dancing that made us all cry with laughter. The people at the park were all amazing and we worked hard but I have formed more friendships for life...including my room mate who happens to be from Norwich...what are the chances!! During the week we were not only surrounded by the beautiful elephants (35) but also over 400 rescued dogs,after the flooding the Bangkok lek the owner and founder of the park set out to rescue these animals as well. It reminds us that all these animals are happy and safe now enjoying love and a good life with no shows, riding and pain but they have all had a life of suffering before arriving at elephant heaven as it is aptly named by some. I am going to put this link in as a short video highlighting some of the suffering the elephants go through so you can make informed decisions before ever watching a circus, elephants painting or even riding one. It is a difficult watch be warned:
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=SVckvi_gWVo&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSVckvi_gWVo&gl=GB
For more information about the individual elephants stories and how you can help Lek in her elephant nature park visit their website, savetheelephant.org or Google elephant nature park, Chiang mai. I will be adopting an elephant and I intend to go back in years to come to keep this amazing project going.
In the days after landing back in the real world me and Jo (New friend from the park) have visited some temples, chatted to a monk about his life and time in the monastery, we have been shopping, eaten food and we even found time to watch a lady boy show. What an experience that was, I couldn't tell until their outfits got so small you could see the occasional bulge...hats of to them for doing what they want to do with their lives.
I am taking it easy for a few days before I take a few trips around the north of Thailand and learn how to cook! I will blog again soon :) Missing you all Xx
- comments
Mum Hi Becks, it sounds totally amazing! Are you on commission? (Only joking!) I bet the monk's life story was a revelation and not at all what we expect it to be. Can't wait to hear all the stories and see the photos. P.S. the web site is saveelephant.org (leave 'the' out as that will take you to the African sites).
Omie en opa Great Becky! It is very normal here in The Netherlands. We miss your father and mother. That was very cosy. Doeg meisie. Nog een paar fijne weken.
Onno Hi Rebecca, it is good to read you had a great time with your favorite animals! Have fun the rest off your trip! See you soon! Onno, Esther, Gijs en Annemieke