It all started very early in the morning - before even complimentary breakfast had started! Amanda got me a piece of toast while I braided my mom's hair. Then a truck arrived to bring us to the Elephant Sanctuary! There were already two people in the back so we climbed aboard with them and off we went.
About 30 minutes into the drive, we stopped at a 7-11/gas station to fuel up and get coffee. Then we were off again.
I was not ready for the car ride that was to come. I knew it was about an hour on Thai roads to the sanctuary, but OH BOY was I not ready for the twisting, turning, and hairpin turns that were to come.
To say this place was "in the mountains" was an understatement. It was near the top of the fourth mountain we drove through. My carsick body was not ready. On the second mountain, we stopped for giant bags of sugar cane. They sloshed around in the back of the truck with the three of us and two Poles.
By the time we reached the sanctuary, I was never more excited to see an elephant in my life. It meant I was getting out of the back of the truck.
I found the nearest bathroom and lost the entire contents of my stomach. I then took a Dramamine for the return trip.
When I exited what I then realized was the "employees only" bathroom, I was greeted by Jacky (our guide) who was handing out our elephant shirts and giving everyone the run down on what would happen throughout the day.
As soon as we were changed, we snapped a quick picture and headed down to meet the elephants!
They were... magnificant.
I don't have a lot of words for what the next three hours were... but there was feeding, there were mud baths, and there were shenanigans. Mom got a boyfriend (Jacky). There was a waterfall.
Just... follow the pictures.
Then we moved down to the water with our elephant friends!
After about 10 minutes in the water, the elephants collectively decided "it's too cold for this shit" and went back home. We carried onto see the beautiful waterfall about a mile hike through the woods!
They cute.
We ship it.
We stayed and waded for about an hour before heading back to the main cabin for lunch.
Lunch was a delicious curry, mixed vegetables, rice, fresh fruit, and as much ice water as we could drink. It was fantastic and I definitely needed the food after all of the hiking and swimming!
We spent the next hour lounging, snacking, and watching the elephants wander around their home.
When lunch was over, we didn't know it, but we were done with the elephants! :(
We took off for the river to go on a raft ride.
I also found this cool bug.
Then back in the truck and back to our hotel. It was a long, exhausting day. And it was worth every minute.
Also look how cute my mom is...
Go team elephants!
