Elephant Owner for a Day

It has taken a while to make this posting as we had to sort through literally close to a thousand pictures to pick the best.  I suggest you skip this blog and go right to the pictures.  What else is there to do in Washington in the middle of a blizzard?

We were picked up at our hotel at 7:30 am and returned about 6 pm.  A long and exhausting day.  When we arrived at Patara Elephant Farm, we first were given a lecture on the history of elephants in Thailand and the difference between this farm and other elephant tourist attractions.  They not only rescue or adopt elephants, but they keep them healthy and have a breeding program.  It is not only important to prevent the elephant population from diminishing, but also to help it increase.  It was very interesting.

Next, we walked a little path through rice paddies and other farmland for a long while until we got to where our elephants were.  There were nine in our group (there were two groups).  There we were taught how to recognize that your elephant is in a good mood.  You don’t want to approach an elephant who is in a bad mood.  Once we determined our elephants were in a good mood, we approached them with food and called their name.  Each recognized its name and responded with a trumpet.  We fed them a basketful of bananas and bamboo.  Irith had the only male elephant, Bounpak.  I had a female who was 14 months pregnant, named Memai.  We have to remember our elephant’s name and many commands in Thai.  Also our trainer’s names.

We were then taught how to inspect your elephant to determine its state of health.  Flapping the ears and wagging the tail is a good sign.  Dirt on both flanks mean the elephant has been sleeping on both sides during the night, which is proper and a sign of good health.  Next we check that they are sweating properly.  Does anyone know where an elephant sweats?  No, it is between their toes.  Finally, we inspect their dung to make sure it doesn’t stink, has the proper amount of moisture and has only small fibers, not whole leaves.  Fun so far, right?

After our health inspection, we had to clean our elephants.  That involved sweeping all the dirt off of their backs with a sprig of leaves (with vigor) and then taking the elephant to the stream and throwing water all over them and scubbing with a scrub-brush.  It was a lot of work as they are big animals (if you didn’t notice).  And the trainers made sure you did it right.

Next, we had to learn to mount the elephants.  Irith used the step up on their leg, which they held up for you, and scramble aboard method.  I used the jump up onto the elephant’s head when they kneeled down for you method.  When finally well mounted, we started a long walk through the forest.  We went up and down hills over rough terrain.  It is amazing how sure-footed were the animals.  Riding uses muscles little used by us heretofore.  At the end of the elephant hike (over an hour), we arrived at a little waterfall, where we had lunch and rested.  Then we had to ride back, which was a shorter route, thankfully.  We then had another short rest and, believe me, Irith and I were ready to call it a day.  But they insisted that we had another half hour walk through a creek, where the elephants could clean their toes by walking on rocks in the water.  For the rest of the way, they suggested that we use another method of riding, involving sitting on the head with your feet dangling in front.  The couples could ride together.  We managed to both get aboard the elephant (with some difficulty) and rode this way for the final half hour.  Irith had a good grip on the elephant’s ears and I held onto Irith and the rope that was behind me.  We found this very stressful as you needed to keep balance as the elephants were walking up and down over the sides of the creek.

Then we said goodbye to our elephants.  It was very sad, as we really came to know and love our mounts.  They are extremely intelligent animals.  All day, the staff had been taking pictures and videos.  Afterwards, they prepared all of the pictures on a CD and delivered it to each of our hotels.  This is why, between all of the pictures on the CD and our own, the total was close to a thousand.

This was, all in all, a fantastic (if exhausting) experience and we recommend it for all.  Dan and Jenny were supposed to join us on this adventure last year when we were traveling together in the region, but it had to be canceled at the last minute because the Bangkok airport was closed due to civil unrest.  Too bad as they would have absolutely loved it.

Tomorrow night Irith leaves for Israel and I leave for home.  Maybe one more short post tomorrow.  Try to survive the blizzard, Washington.

Roger

Irith Feeding Bounpak

Roger with Memai

A Necessary Part of Checking Your Elephant's Health

Nothing Like a Good Back Scratch

Memai Likes His Cleaning, Too

Bath Time for Memai

Bounpak Gets a Scrubbing

The Tusks are Cleaned with Sand

We Get a Surprise Shower

A Regular Baryshnikov

Successfully Aboard

The Happy Couple (Roger and Irith Look Happy Too)

Group Photo

Off For a Walk

Relaxing at the Pool

Feeding Time

Memai

Riding Tandem

Bye-Bye, Memai

Bye-Bye, Bounpak