After arriving at the meeting point we all got a Volunteer T-Shirt and water bottle with holder. The hour long drive was filled up by showing as a very moving DVD on the reason's behind the project and the cruel miss treatment of Elephants and how hey are trained, Saddened me to the point I have now vowel to never ride an Elephant again.
Upon arrival into the camp we were brief on safety rules before Helping to feed the Elephants.
There are 37 Elephants in the park but only about ½ dozen at a time for feeding.
Next was our own lunch a huge buffet lunch with delicious curries/Thai dishes, mostly all vegetarian.
After lunch was bath time we all piled down to the river with buckets and helped to bath the Elephants, Which they appeared to love, some immersing themselves so much they disappeared and floated down stream. Being so up front and close to such big animals made you very so small and tiny, such a different prospective than the feeding area and in the pass riding above. All the Elephants seem so gentle and placid and were amazed to notice now quite they when they moved. Next we were able to get up close to the family and the wee baby Elephants, with a photo op they I am sure will end up as most people's "profile" photo.
After we were paired up and shown our rooms most of us in our group were in the "Palace".
After we had orientation which again covered safety rules and a few bits and pieces about the place. After we had free time before our welcome ceremony with local Children play music followed by the ceremony with a Buddhist blessing.
With free time I treated myself the first of many Thai massages.
Dinner again an amazing buffet and after we had introduction which we all went around the circle introducing ourselves, some of us were new to the park but some had already been there for a week. One of the VC's (Volunteer coordinator) Chad, Made a point of welcoming us the Family and to think all of us as family while here and it did seem to feel that way