2018 - Thailand - Oct 10 - Chiang Mai - Elephants

The most rewarding and memorable part of our whole Thailand adventure was our trip to the Karen Tribe Elephant Sanctuary. 

It was a beautiful drive up into the mountains through the jungles and rice fields.

There are many elephant "experiences" advertised throughout Thailand but many of them abuse these magnificent creatures.  The Karen tribe rescues and then treat these elephants like family.  They devote themselves to taking care of them and teaching others how to care for them as well.  They are a self-sufficient community - growing their own food and making their own clothing.  They made us remove our clothes and lent us some of theirs so that we would not harm the elephants with our buttons, zippers, rivets, etc. 

At first I was nervous. They assigned us to the bull, Poo Chang.  He was massive. They explained elephants cannot see straight ahead, which made me more nervous.  They had us first feed them to them get use to our voices.

After feeding Poo Chang it was time to get him ready for his bath -

First you brush off the dirt -

Giving an elephant a bath is actually a ton of fun - actually 3-4 tons.

His baby, Davit, wanted to get in on the fun - this is the moment I lost my heart to an elephant.

Now for the rinse -

Poo Chang decided it was time for our bath now -

Davit - so happy after his bath (with his mama, Champoo)

He didn't stay clean for long.

Then it was time for more bananas and sugar cane -

and having fun -

Davit, loved stealing my towel and playing tug-of-war

and chasing Vernon.

This is Davit's mama - Champoo.

We came with no expectations of riding these beautiful creatures.  Most places that offer elephant rides make the elephants wear baskets which rub the hide off their backs. The elephants may see up to 100 people every day. They are chained up at night and treated and trained cruelly.  The Karen tribe only offers rides if the people have been kind to the elephants, and if the elephants are happy and healthy.  They taught us how to tell - from their manner to their poop.  We them were allowed to ride them bareback up through the jungle to the village.

Vaughan rode Poo Chang

I rode Champoo with Davit along her side, He spent most of the time fooling around with tree limbs, sliding on his belly, and chasing Vernon (who chose not to ride).

Time for lunch at the tribal village. The tribe grew everything on the table - 

Then we had a little leisure time - 

Poo Chang and his family, Champoo and Davit, changed my life. The members of the Karen tribe truly love and care for them like we do our pets. The only difference is, they spend every day devoting themselves to them.  Zik, Poo Chang's trainer/handler, is with him every day.