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Published: November 4th 2006
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Ok, as it's been quite a while since either of us updated the blog we've decided to do an entry for Thailand and another entry will arrive at some point for Cambodia (and Vietnam no doubt!).
Had an absolutely amazing time with the elephants, which truely was unforgetable! With the volunteer numbers swelling to about 12 at one point, there was a good deal of socialising (read drinking!) going on; however the mahouts were FAR worse than any of us - think the earliest they were spotted cracking open the Chang (Beer) was 5:30am! Spent lots of the time getting on with the usual elephant duties (feed, shower, sweep), and we were both given a lot more trust/responsibility with the elephants, often walking them on our own. The rest of the time at the camp was spent cutting grass (although this was brought to an abrupt halt when we crashed the jeep & broke the back wheel!) and playing Jenga whist hiding from the afternoon thunderstorms. Found time to try some of the local delicacies at the night market - deep fried frog/maggot/cricket - yum!
In our last week at the camp I started to make plans, with my
mahout Mr Tong & our guide Apple as translator, to make our time there extra special. On the morning of our last full day we were sat talking with the mahouts near our elephants when I snuk off to write my proposal to Zoe on the side of Sirichok (my elephant) - don't worry, she was fine about it after a few pineapple leaves! I then rode her around to where Zoe was sat, and asked her to take a picture from the side - after seeing the writing, and asking if I was serious (!), she eventually managed to nod a yes through the tears. The other volunteers were really excited, but the mahouts didn't understand what was written & started ordering Zoe back to work - complete with elephant hair engagement ring! All of our families are really pleased for us, though don't expect any dates/invites for a long while yet....
The next morning we went to the camp to say our goodbyes to the elephants, mahouts & their families. After our leaving ceremony, Apple explained to the mahouts what had happened the previous day, and they were delighted for us - even making me a ring
to match Zoe's. We then gave them our thank-you presents; the bottle of whisky I got my mahout went down particularly well (for the whole hour that it lasted!). A tearful goodbye followed, and me, Zoe & Steph (a fellow volunteer) headed to Bangkok for a few days - eventually managed to toast the engagement with a pitcher of Chang on Khoa San Road (Bangkok's travellers hangout).
The next day I went to meet my family (mum, nan and Jo) at the airport whilst Zoe & Steph went for a Thai massage - they tell me that it was painful, but worth it (and not too intrusive!). A whistle-stop tour of Bangkok followed for the next two days, taking in the Golden Mount, Grand Palace (amazing architechture), Reclining Bhudda (bloody massive!) & Chinatown via a river taxi; nan (85 yrs old) managed to lead from the front & was always waiting for the rest of us! Luckily our hostel provided a haven in a quiet side-street, and even had a roof-top pool, which we loved (and Steph came to "visit"!).
Me & Zoe & my family then went on a 2 day tour to see the Floating Markets, Bridge on the River Kwai, Tiger Temple & various other sites in the Kanchanaburi region. It was an excellent trip, despite the cockroaches & dead frog in mine & Zoe's first room (quickly changed!) - the tiger temple was brilliant, as you were able to stroke the tigers, and the sites of the 2nd world war were certainly very thought provoking. We even rode a train on the Death Railway; not half as nerve-racking as it sounds (so named due to the huge numbers of soldiers/civilians to die in its construction), but some really good scenery none the less.
Upon our return to Bangkok we had a free day (managed to lose the family for a few hours!) so me & Zoe took in a meditation lesson at a wat near the Grand Palace - just what you need in busy Bangkok. Zoe did admit to cheating afterwards though, and kept on peaking! Was quite hard to do everything so slowly & methodically, but both of us felt v relaxed after. We also managed to take in a bar's birthday party, and took full advantage of the free bar, and then felt even more relaxed!
I'll leave you to dwell on how eventful an 11hr journey into Cambodia could be, and will tell all in the next installment! Promise that some photos will be added once I'm in a better-quality internet cafe, cos this one's rubbish!
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