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Elephant Nature Park 21st-27th September
The most amazing week ever!
We arrived at the office of the nature park in Chiang Mai, where we were given free volunteer T-shirts and a water bottle and holder (we were very impressed). We met our fellow volunteers for the week, which included two girls Gemma and Nicola from Basingstoke who we became very friendly with. We also met our Co-ordinaters Jack and Nat. We set off in a minivan on a very windy one hour drive to the park, on theway we watched an introductionary DVD which got us very excited.
As soon as we enetered the gates of the park up in the jungle we were struck by the beauty of the scenary. We had an introductory chat from Jack and Nat and they showed us around the park, we met some of the gorgeous elephants. We fed Tong Jan, whos quite a young elephant from a very troubled past of being beaten by his mahout and being made to carry people around on his back. He very much enjoyed the watermelon and bananas but not so much the pumpkin. We were shown to our huts, which were right next to the elephants, the expecting mother and the babies, great view to wake upto in the morning. It was called the palace, very basic but thats all you need in the jungle.
Our daily routine was waking at 6.45 having breakfast at 7am, ready for work by 8am-9am this work consisted of scooping poop, preparing elephant food or cuting corn in the fields. Then we had morning project from 9.30am-11am this was building the river bed. then we had free time to feed the elephants, bathe the elephants and enjoy being in their company. We had lunch at 12, amazing food all week. Then work starts again at 2pm-3.30pm afternoon project, either planting grass, digging mud pits, planting trees, de weeding shrubs, more river bed building. Then we fed the elephants, bathed the elephants, playing with the babies. Wondering around the grounds with the elephants roaming free. The evening as free time, one evening we had a blessing from the tribal village, another learning Thai, a Mahout show. Dinner we had at 6.30pm, then we usually enjoyed a game of cards with Gem, Nicola, Rennata and Cait.
One of the days we spent at the park we went to visit a local school, we were split into 2s and we had a class each to teach them some enligh. We had 8year olds, and sang songs to them, they really enjoyed wheels on the bus (with the actions) and wind the bobbin up (actions too).
There are 33 elephants in the park at the moment, they are due to rescue another elephant from the cruel world of trekking, begging. Also the mum to be is due to give birth anyday. One evening we stayed the night on a platform next to the elephant shelter of the pregnant eley, Nicola joined us. We were on duty to keep an eye on her through the night and listen out for signs of distress, the night was the best experience we could have hoped for, The elephants all layed down to sleep (a sign they are very relaxed) most of the snored and farted a lot!
We were shown some horrific DVDs of the treatment of elephants around thailand to train them to do tricks, trekking, begging. Basically fear there mahout. We wish everyone could see these videos as they are so saddening and you wouldnt dream of supporting these evil people by paying to watch elephants do painting etc... Unfourtunatly the Thai governement wont allow these videos to be copied. BUT please if you want to experience being with elephants then go to The Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai. They rescue mistreated elephants form all around thailand and give them a loving home, this park was all set up by an amazing Lady named Lek!
All we can say to some this up is it is absoulutly inspirational and a memory for life.. we will definatly be re-visiting the park at some point in our lives.
- comments
Leetza Thank you so much for posting this! My mother and I are going to spend a week in November and this gives me a wonderful idea of what to expect.
Judi Pegg Ditto! Leetza's mom.