Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
A magical day for us today... Elephant day!
When we arrived our English volunteer sat and told us about the lives and back stories of all the elephants in their care. They were all really sad but a couple in particular were heartbreaking. One of the ladies was chained under a bridge during the day and then walked 40km every evening into Bangkok (and back again) to be used to have her photo taken with drunk tourists, she broke her front left leg and her owner still made her walk that everyday. One was beaten so badly, even stabbed in the mouth, that when she arrived all she did was shake. It was awful to hear that people can be so cruel.
Once we had heard the backgrounds and which elephants we couldn't get close to for our safety, we went to meet our elephant to take for a walk (we can't remember her name off the top of our heads as they all have thai names, but we will look it up when we get home). We were given a bag of tiny bananas to feed her as we went along. We had to walk infront of her so that she could see where we were and didn't get nervous. As we started walking I could feel myself getting nervous about feeding her, so before I could get silly about it, I grabbed a banana from the bag and held it out for her. As soon as she saw it her trunk came flying forward in excitement, she twisted it round for me to put it on her nostrils and puffed out as she did so... Breath sounds incredibly loud coming down a trunk right by your earhole!! She took the banana and popped it straight into her mouth. Amazing. Her little quirk was that she liked having her food put into the side of her mouth instead of in her trunk, but I just wasn't brave enough for that yet... Not with such a teeny banana!!
As we were walking, I realised for the first time just how graceful elephants are. She had an old break on her leg that had calcified and locked her joint where it wasn't properly treated so she couldn't bend one of her back legs... You would never know. She walked so quietly and gracefully, you couldn't hear her at all. She had a little scratch on her favourite tree and then we walked back to give her a shower. She was so disciplined in her old life that no matter how thirsty she is she won't drink until she is given permission. Bless her.
We then got to feed her properly and meet the other elephants, but we will tell you more about that when we get home.
It was absolutely magical and completely worth it. I don't know why anyone would ever want to ride an elephant when this beautiful experience is available.
It was 37.5•c when we left the foundation so we jumped straight into the jacuzzi when we got back!
This evening we went into town for some amazing seafood and souvenir shopping.
We can't stop talking about this morning and as I write this, Simon is re-watching the videos.
We really can't wait to share this with you when we get home.
Lots of love to everyone! xx
- comments
Dad Brilliant adventure and our interest is peaked now, video sounds great. Really impressed at the piccie you sent me of your meal, proud of your adventurous palette but jealous too, lol x x x take care and speak soon x
wendy i have always believed that when you meet an elephant you make a connection with it. there is a chance that if i ever get to the Sheldrick sanctuary in Africa I may never want to leave. They are such special creatures I cannot bear the thought of people hurting them. really looking forward to seeing these pics for obvious reasons. Your sea food looks amazing. Whats on the cards for tomorrow? xxx