Let me first tell you how much I adore those big friendly giants that we call elephants. Because I adore them almost as much as I adore puppies (crazy, right?).
Well, this past weekend, my dream of kissing and cuddling those long nosed creatures came true, and I still feel like my heart is going to burst with happiness.
Did you know that all Thai elephants have their own ID photos that they have to get updated ever 5 years?
Anyways back to explaining how YOU can also see the elephants, get photos, and even bathe them! I promise you it will be one of the best, most wholesome experiences of your life… or your money back! (Not actually though, because who would ever have a horrible time doing this unless you’re a very pessimist person).
I was able to book the elephant sanctuary through a group called “Elephant Jungle Sanctuary” which was located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I got enough spots that I brought some of my kewl teacher friends along for the ride and boy oh boy, was it an adventure.
At 11:30am, giddy and hungover but ready to go – the sweetest woman in the world picked us up from our hostel, and inside a song-taow we were off! It was about a 40 minute drive outside the city center to the reservation and after a hike down and up some hills, and over a bridge we were there!
The elephants ranged from 7 years old, to 75! And there was a mama there who was pregnant (*Did you know that elephants are pregnant for TWO years?*) Our sanctuary had 6 elephants there at the time, so we had enough love to go around to each of them.
Having seen these beautiful giants come running out the jungle to meet us, I honestly thought I died and went to heaven. For over 3 hours we were able to feed them bananas and corn, take lots of pictures with them, cover them and ourselves in lots of mud, then headed to the river to clean them off. I couldn’t believe how amazing the staff was, it’s SO important to do your research before heading off to an elephant sanctuary.
DO NOT EVER GO TO AN ELEPHANT RESERVATION WHERE THEY LET YOU RIDE THEM, ELEPHANTS ARE NEVER EVER EVER SUPPOSED TO BE RIDDEN!!! IF THEY TELL YOU IT’S OKAY, PUNCH THEM IN THE FACE AND SAVE THE ELEPHANTS!
Seriously though, do your research! This place was absolutely amazing because we were given handmade purses, and given a huge buffet feast after we were done with our new animal friends, then the photographer added tons of photos to their Facebook page (all free of cost)! I will 1000% do this again, probably at least 3 more times while I live here in Thailand.
Some cool as heck did you know facts:
- Elephants never forget! I kept telling them over and over how beautiful they were, and how they independent and don’t need no man.
- They sweat from their toes!!! I mean that’s kinda weird, right?
- They love bananas and will steal them from you when you’re not looking (know from experience).
- They cover themselves in mud that acts like a sunscreen for their skin.
- Their tails are strong as heck, you do not want to get clipped by them!
**Also remember to wear lots of sunscreen and bugspray, and to drink lots of water while you’re there**.
Being the animal lover that I am, I’m so excited to share more of my experiences and adventures to different sanctuaries over the next 8 months. If you have any suggestions of where to hit up in Thailand or other parts of South-East Asia, send me a quick message!
Happy travelling to all, thanks for joining me on my journey!!
Adventures of ShlynDawg 