At Patara Elephant Farm, 30 minutes out of Chiang Mai, there are 26 rescued elephants from the circus and logging camps. I was an Elephant Owner for A Day and learned about their health, reproduction, and care. Albert took a pass as this wasn't his thing.
We each had a 5 kilo basket of treats to feed our elephant's and thus bribe them to like us for the day.
Receiving instruction on what the day will comprise, how to approach our elephant and eventually donning our mahout clothing.
Elephants just standing there eating next to us.
Yes, I smell the poop and it does not have a bad odor.
Meeting Newe, my elephant for the day.
Brushing the dirt off of her with branches of leaves.
In the river now for a bath. Newe had to wear her chain because she's a naughty elephant that wanders away. Viewing the chain as a leash made it more tolerable for me.
Rinsing the elephants off with baskets full of water that they just peed in.
Now we get a shower!
There are two ways to get on an elephant. I chose the trunk method.
Don't laugh too hard!
This pose wasn't in the demonstration.
Or this one.
I made it! It's not like getting on a horse, that's for sure.
We took an hour-long walk over hill and dale through the forest. My legs began to shake, turn numb, and I was listing to and fro. Then I remembered telling Albert I had wanted to take a 5-day safari on an elephant. What was I thinking?
Lunch was served in and on banana leaves.
After we finished lunch, I rolled up the banana leaves and fed them to the elephants.
We had the opportunity to play in the river on the elephants. I enjoyed watching.
Learning to be the elephant whisperer.
Saying good-bye to Newe.
