Rarely in life do you do something you will never forget, whatever you're doing the world just stops, for however long you are doing it you are truly happy, you forget about all the problems you might have and you just have fun, today, for me was one of those days.
The day started off early, we got in the back of a pick up truck and drove for about an hour, the ride was bumpy so I felt a little sick after it was all done. The guide whisked us off to the house where we changed into our "mahout" suits... not the most attractive of outfits but it was practical I guess. We were given some instructions on how to control the elephants and here they are...
"Kwa" was right
"Si" left
"Pai" forward
"Toi" backwards
"Yut" Stop
"Yo Ka" lift leg (so we could get on)
So we did all took turns getting on an elephants and went around a test track so the guide could watch us in action. Then after that it was time for lunch, after lunch we went back to where the elephants were being held. The guide gave me and another girl 2 of the younger ones since he said we were the best at controlling them, he told us the younger ones were "naughty" and we would do the best on them. The oldest elephant was 35, huge, but listened to commands better since he had been doing it his whole life, mine was 4 and a half, still big... but was he ever a pain in the ass. He would veer off the path any chance he got to try to grab a snack and I would have to yell at him. We rode for about half an hour then stopped at a well, the elephants got a drink, and also got a chance to get us soaking wet, they filled up their trunks and let us have it, luckily it was a hot day so it was actually quite refreshing. After their drink we rode for about another 30 minutes to their bathing area. The elephants slowly got in the water and slowly laid down, this was our chance to clean off the muddy beasts and play around with them a bit. We would splash water on them and they'd splash us back, or fill their trunks up and hose us down, the highlight of my trip. After that it was time to say goodbye to the elephants and we got a big kiss.
All in all it was a unforgettable, great day.
The pictures dont seem to want to upload so give me a day or 2 and I'll have a few up