I bathed an elephant today!!!

Laos is known as the Land of a Million Elephants, although the numbers have fallen dramatically (due to mistreatment and because in the war, the bombs scared them and they ran away). Luang Prabang is particularly known for elephant treks, as the city is surrounded by lush countryside where there are several elephant sanctuaries.

Having done some research into ethical companies I went with one called Elephant Village, which is home to 9 gorgeous Asian elephants. It was founded with the support of the government; villagers are encouraged to send their elephants to the Elephant Village, who pay them ele-rent in return - it means they can make money from their elephants without cruelty. Its also pretty nice for the heffalumps, who get to play in the river, graze in the jungle and eat bananas all day!

On the way there we went through 'Pineapple Village', so named because that's the main crop - the hills were lined with the distinctive leaves poking up through the ground. Yum. We've developed a thing for fruit shakes and fresh pineapple is one of my favourites, mmm.

The day included a talk on the elephants and Laos' history with them, a lesson in how to instruct your elephant (How, How! means stop!) and how to climb onto and off it (more on that later) and riding on the elephants. So, at 5"2 I found it pretty difficult to climb onto my elephant's back and had to be given a shove up, how embarrassing! Its the strangest sensation riding on an elephant's neck - I was so high up that I could only see her ears and the very top of her head, and it took me a while to feel assured that I wouldn't slide off! On the first ride we went into the river and all through the Elephant Village. The second time around, I got to give her a bath in the river - and got very wet in return!!! The Mahouts, who are the elephant's individual carers, found it hysterical to get the elephants to dunk their heads under the water, meaning I was in the river up to my neck, clutching a brush to scrub her head with and squealing at the top of my voice! Listening out for the Laos accent saying 'Go, go, go elephant', 'Elephant poo!' and 'Elephant Number One' (when one elephant was in front of the others) was so funny. Lots of photos to follow...

After the elephant riding we had a longboat ride out to the Tad Sae waterfalls for a little cool-down (not to mention a wash - the river had bits of elephant poo floating in it!), passing more gorgeous countryside, long boats, fisherman and bemused children along the way. The children here seem fascinated with us; the little boy who lives next door to our guest house keeps touching me quickly as he runs past, giggling like he's won a bet!

In other news, my haggling skills are getting better all the time. I may have to become a rogue trader when I get back...