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Published: September 28th 2006
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Update from Zoe
Hello everyone!
We had to stay in Penang for 2 nights, as the visa took a while, so we busied ourselves seeing the sights including getting a ride in a tuk tuk like vehicle. Georgetown is ok, don't think we'd have come though if we didn't need the visas though. Next stop was Hat Yai, the first major town in Thailand, we stayed overnight here - arriving late and leaving early - fortunately we missed the bombs that happened 2 days after we left! Then a whole day on the bus to Chumpon, again arriving late and leaving early. We did have our first taste of thai hawker food here and drink from a bag (very practical idea!). Then finally the last leg of the journey took us to Koh Tao island and thankfully no more days on a bus for a little while.
We stayed 3 nights in Mae Head, the busiest area on the island (the whole 2 shop lined streets). Here we both did a couple of dives, which were cool. Apart from getting chased by a trigger fish - a big fish with teeth, luckily it only got our dive masters
tank. Whilst here we also ate - lots; they had lovely lemon tart, highly unusual over here, so i made the most of it and had it every day! The next 3 nights we went to Sairee, which had a much nicer beach and here we loafed about and watched shed loads of dodgy movies.
Back on the mainland we had a day on the bus to take us to Bangkok, again we missed all the action by a couple of days. The only evidence of the coup was soldiers dotted around the place and a check point as we drove in. None of the Thai people seem remotely bothered by what's happened. We found a hotel, whilst trudging around in a downpour and then the next morning we moved on again to Pattaya (we'll be going back to Bangkok later).
We're staying in Pattaya or more specifically Jomtien for 4 weeks, while we participate in a volunteer project working with elephants. The room is lovely and it's only 5 mins walk from the camp. We both have our 'own' elephants, mine is called Rungrueng and the mahout who looks after her is Bua and Dan's ele is Suri Chok and his mahout is called Tong. Each day starts with clearing the elephants area; they're pretty fussy animals and will not eat if it's dirty. The first couple of days we guided our elephants around for a walk shouting various commands. Not sure they're listening to us or the mahout though! You also have to make sure there is food for your elephant, they mainly eat pineapple leaves. The last couple of days, we have been riding the elephants around and guiding them round the park and giving them a wash. Dan can get up and down off his elephant pretty well, but i'm not so great at getting up there and my mahout keeps pushing my arse to get up there - it's all very ladylike! They are absolutely amazing animals and it's brilliant riding around telling them where to go (or at least attempting to). Feel really privileged to be able to do this. We have quite a bit of chill out time, where we either lie on the elephants (apparently good for your back) or talk to the other volunteers and mahouts.
Neither mine or Dan's mahout speak english and they're not fussed about learning, however some of the mahouts are, so a bit of reciprocal language lessons have started and we've learnt a few thai words. The park itself is fairly big and they're about 12 elephants in total, each owned by a mahout, who all live at the park. It's a really laid back place and they get the odd tourist who pay for a ride. There's 3 other volunteers apart from us at the moment, including another Zoe! They're all nice and we're allowed to use a near by pool - great for relieving aching muscles. Today we went to cut grass for the elephants to eat and my arms are now covered in little scratches and stinging - they better eat the grass! The mission was aborted though when they spotted a snake in the grass.
Pattaya itself is seedy central, lots of go go bars. Everywhere you go you see deluded old white men with young thai girlfriends or occasionally boyfriends. The whole place is geared up for this business, kind of amusing to watch, but also really sad and gross. The beach is skank, so we're lucky to have the pool to go to. Bit of a strange place to have an elephant park really! We get one and half days free each week, so we're kept pretty occupied. Found time for a visit to Tesco the other day - they are actually taking over the world. Mega cheap though.
Got to go and walk my elephant now!
Luv Zoe and Dan
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Ken Siu
non-member comment
Tesco shopping
Hi Zoe , Dan. Elephants look great, bomb proof I hope, just like the horses in the States. will they lope!! How come Dan has to share? Zoe, is that the new Tesco shopping basket behind you ?? or a popper scoop basket ?? x