Today's motto: Less words, more pictures. Leaving Chiang Mai early this morning, we spent a quick hour on the road en route the the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. This center is special in that it is Thailand's only government run elephant camp. Nestled off the highway deep in the jungle of Lampang, this center takes care of around 50 elephants of varying ages and sizes. The visit started with some up close and personal time with the elephants, followed by a group bath before the elephant show.
Caretakers skillfully perched on the backs of the elephants helped to scrub them down.
Some of them decided to have a little fun in the process.
Once the elephants were done playing in the water they were brought to the outdoor amphitheatre to start their show. Having never seen a live elephant until two days ago I am continually astonished by their intellect. Over a half an hour these elephants bowed, picked up their caretakers tools, painted on a canvas, collected and threw away trash, and hauled logs. In the past, much like we used horses for logging, the Thai people employed the help of the elephants. They hauled logs around the show several times with less effort than one would pull a toddler around a wagon with. Their trunks are even strong enough to roll logs on top of one another!
All lined up for the show.
Demonstrating their sleeping position. They only sleep for four hours a day usually in the dead of night. They don't lay down and get up often and at 3000-5000 kg I don't blame them!
We finished up our visit with a short elephant ride through the jungle. Surprisingly nimble creatures for their vast size. Thankfully, also very sure-footed on the wet muddy terrain.
Several hours later we pulled into the quiet district of Kamphaeng Phet without a single other American tourist in sight. A nice change of pace to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
That's all for today,
Peter
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