Mae Jan Peng (Full Moon) – one of the oldest elephants at Elephant Nature Park. A hole was made in her ear in her harder days previous to her retiring at the Park. Her mahout now puts a fresh flower in it every day to make her feel more beautiful.
– Gilbert K. Chesterton
Chang Yim – young male elephant and all around ratbag. Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Chet featuring a fetching little work outfit.
The chore du jour was peeling the husks off sacks and sacks of corn in the elephant kitchen. The silk from the corn must be removed so it doesn’t disturb the elephants’ digestive systems. For this, Chet wore a lovely little number featuring a net singlet, black shorts, black silver-tipped collar and a beautiful bling ring to suit. Gumboots completed this gorgeous ensemble, and his presence lit up the kitchen in the most glorious, if eclectic, way. More word games helped keep the boredom away while furthering our literary abilities, and we emerged a couple of hours or so later just slightly more educated than when we went in. Continue reading
Cute but deadly…
Greetings all.
I’ve just spent the day updating Raveburbleblog somewhat. I have added photos to the Thailand 2009 series. There are still many, many previous posts from my India travels to add photos to, and that’s going to take a while, so please bear with me.
Thanks to all my followers for your support and comments.
Have a great day – I insist!
Elephant Bff’s bathing together
You know that feeling you get when two elephants, that you don’t know personally, walk up and tower over you? Well today was my turn to experience it. I was sitting by myself on a wooden seat overlooking the river, watching a couple of elephants bff’s bathing together. Lolling about they were, schmoozing their heads in and out of the water, rolling their bodies this way and that ecstatically, unfurling their trunks now and then to touch each other in silent solidarity. ‘Twas a long, quiet moment with an almost sepia setting – orange and grey elephants, beige water, sandy river bank and a beach of grey pebbles in the foreground.
I pulled out my camera and took continuous shots of them doing their thing in the water, then heaving themselves up and exiting their bath. They walked towards me, getting closer and closer through my lens, Continue reading
Giant leech attack!
There was no power on this morning, for some reason unknown, so when we arose we had to get dressed in the dark. The Elephant Nature Park Law of Wrongful Zips applied – where you open the wrong zip on your many-pocketed bag every time – and it took a while to get the right garment on the right body part. It would have made a lot of sense to open the window to let the light in, but in this case when I say window, I actually mean a piece of wood. There was no glass in the ‘windows’ of our hut, just wooden shutters. And we were pretty reluctant to open those and put on a reverse strip show for all and sundry walking up the driveway. Continue reading
Chet – our flamboyant Thai teacher.
On this morning I came to realize that I was already starting to think it normal to watch elephants wander past the dining room over my coffee. Sitting on a chunky wooden chair, taking in the morning sounds and smells through the open air structure, I forced myself to remember that this was a very abnormal time in my life – in all of our lives – and to suck every precious moment of it dry. Slowly I scanned mountains and jungle, grazing elephants and water buffalo, shelters and tree platforms, strolling mahouts and emerald-green grass. The odd wisp of smoke rose in the distance where tree and scrub burn offs were happening – evidence that progress was thought more of than nature, as happens and has been happening for far too long on Mother Earth. And I was sitting in a wee sheltered paradise where caring people practiced harmony within their little realm, walking their talk of respect and gentleness towards all living things. I took a photo of the scene – one that still affects me when I look at it to this day.
Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Duties called and we were rounded up and offered gloves and long-sleeved shirts and advised to put sunscreen and hats on. We were off to cut corn for the elephants. We climbed into the high-sided work truck and I put on my shades and swirled my scarf over my head and practiced looking windswept and interesting. As you do. Continue reading
R-Expo and their delicious natural goods. Delhi, India.
In 2005 when I was leaving India to return home, I’m pretty sure that technically I was kicked out of the country. It was my debut overseas trip and also the first time I could afford to buy whatever the hell I liked, within reason – we’re not talking a Maserati or a luxury yacht here, and I have no inclination to have my own exotic python zoo either. I’m talking about getting a few clothes tailor-made, treating myself to a nice piece of turquoise and silver jewellery, buying odd, dusty brass items from that hole in the wall shop five alleyways past the cyber cafe with the public urinal outside it, or going to R-Expo and indulging in my ecologically created, natural ingredient incense, soaps, shampoos and perfumes enough to last for an entire year. Continue reading
Front of Postcard free with set of Six – Please Don’t Ride the Elephants
I have added a page with the postcards on that are available. These are to raise money so I can return as a volunteer to Elephant Nature Park. Postcard page here
Take a look at this action clip made at Elephant Nature Park of their newest baby Dok Mai.
Faa Mai leads some of the elephants towards the skywalk at Elephant Nature Park.
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