Minah, it’s time for your bath…

A few years ago, when we were in Thailand, we rode elephants in the jungle. That practice is now becoming unpopular as being viewed as cruel. The newer adventure is to spend a day with the elephants feeding them, washing them and just watching them as they go about their day. Little did I know but this is actually one of Terri’s bucket list items. Check!
  
 We started the day off being picked up by our guides. We stopped at a local farmer’s house and loaded up bananas and pumpkins for the elephants. It was an hour drive to the the actual elephant refuge where we would spend our day: Happy Elephant Camp.

Once at the camp we are given Mahout clothing and introduced to the elephants. These elephants have been rescued from the tough jobs that man has forced them into. Some have been injured or are worn-out and not suitable for the physical tasks once required of them. Now they live the life of leisure with no hard physical tasks other than walking to the river and frolicking around, (kind of surprised me that elephants can even frolick😄).

There were 3 adult female elephants and one 10 month old, Minah. We spent about an hour just feeding them with our hands. They obviously understand where their food is coming from and immediately recognize who has the most food and is forthcoming with it. Their dexterity with their trunks is amazing, it is very strong yet they were always gentle in their interactions with us puny humans.

After their breakfast, we walked the elephants to the mud pit where we literally coated them with fresh mud, Minah loved playing in the mud!

The camp provided us with a typical Thai lunch and I had a Chang Beer as I had worked-up quite the thirst in the mud pit. It is my go-to beer here in Thailand. 

 After lunch we walked the elephants to the river using the enticement of freshly cut sugar cane. As much as they liked the sugar cane, there was plenty of fresh greens growing along the trail side to distract them. When an elephant wants to go off-trail you just sit back and watch as they forage through ripping out vines and small trees to munch on.

The river swim was simply awesome. The elephants really love the water, maybe because they are temporarily unburdened of their bulk? The mud that we had bathed the elephants in was quickly removed to reveal their skin, pink in a few areas but mostly wrinkled grey with wire bristle hair. Even young Minah’s skin was wrinkled much beyond what I thought it would be. Immediately after leaving the river, the elephants find a spot to roll in the dirt. There wet bodies picking up a nice layer of caked dirt to ward off insects and act as a sun screen. This was an exceptional experience, you could be as close to the elephants as much as you desired-we will never forget it.