We have been waiting for this day for so long. We booked this tour with a company called Chai Lai Orchid after much research and hours on the internet. It seems that most elephant tours are not very good for the elephants and the more we read the more we wanted to support a place whose interests are in the health and well being of the animals and not just pushing as many tourists through their doors as possible. Well, did our homework ever pay off!! What a day! here is the link to Chai Lai Orchid if you would like to check it out.
http://www.chailaiorchid.com
We booked a one day tour and shortly after arriving we wished that we had booked an overnight stay with these amazing animals.
The day started out getting to know the elephants up, close and personal. To be honest it took Benjilynn and I a little while to feel comfortable with these massive animals but there was Emily, jump right in and start getting kisses right away!
http://www.chailaiorchid.com
We booked a one day tour and shortly after arriving we wished that we had booked an overnight stay with these amazing animals.
The day started out getting to know the elephants up, close and personal. To be honest it took Benjilynn and I a little while to feel comfortable with these massive animals but there was Emily, jump right in and start getting kisses right away!
We spent about 30 minutes feeding, petting and then playing with the big, small and medium sized elephants, oh and the really small!
It was then time to mount up and start our bareback trek through the jungle. What a crazy ride! We all loved it which is evident from the huge smiles we are sporting in these pictures. Oh and no, that is not Fred Flintstone in that sexy elephant riding shirt, it is me, Shayne!
Yubba dubba doooo!
Yubba dubba doooo!
Benjilynn made a comment after our trek, she thought they matched us to our elephants perfectly as her elephant was sweet, gentle and patient and mine was big and pushed its way to the front of the pack and made lots of noise while Emily's was always off in the rhubarb causing trouble, that's my girl! Emily and her ride sure kept the trainers busy trying to keep them both in line hahaha.
When we finished our trek we met back at the main building for a great lunch and a beer while watching another group bathe an elephant in the river. Then we were off on a Thai rafting trip so we jumped in the back of a pick-up and drove up river for the float back down. I must say I thought I was going to capsize this raft but the bamboo was surprisingly buoyant and our captain did a great job navigating the narrows of the river. This was so peaceful and relaxing I could have had a nap.
When we returned to camp it was our turn to bathe the elephant... The cleanest elephant on earth with the best job ever. The girls loved it and Emily really bonded with this elephant, it was great to watch. While Emily was playing and bonding Benjilynn, as usual, was doing all the work LOL. That elephant was going to be clean! LOL Benjilynn was thanked with a great big smooch at the end, it was all worth it.
What a day! We could repeat this everyday, we all loved it. I was very surprised by how gentle these giant animals were and their sensitivity to people. It was a very special and memorable day and one we will all cherish forever.
Now it is time for another party!! We will be celebrating the 2016 New Years Eve party downtown Chiang Mai and it should be spectacular as we hear they do the floating lanterns again. We are resting up today as tomorrow will be an all day and nighter.
Happy New Years everybody!!
From Shayne, Benjilynn and Emily
Now it is time for another party!! We will be celebrating the 2016 New Years Eve party downtown Chiang Mai and it should be spectacular as we hear they do the floating lanterns again. We are resting up today as tomorrow will be an all day and nighter.
Happy New Years everybody!!
From Shayne, Benjilynn and Emily