Luang Prabang and Elephants!!

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Arrived in Luang Prabang, went to hotel...Kiradari - beautiful - the best yet. It sits on a hillside and has an incredible view of the mountains (when the clouds aren't covering them). I've mostly taken pix of the mountains - not the actual hotel, but it's well done...my room is serene, bed is comfortable, has all the amenities, and a balcony and fabulous views. First night...laid low - it was raining...had dinner in the hotel. The Lao waiters are very friendly and were very curious about my traveling solo!

Next day - Aug 4th - Today is Elephant day!!!!! Have been looking forward to this the whole time. Got out to the elephant camp and there was a lot of waiting around...petting a few elephants, taking some pix, but eventually my tiny group of two other young German women, and our two guides set off. First a boat ride across the river - gorgeous, then a short hike to see the baby elephant. He was adorable...and pretty small - I was taller than him! He is 14 months old. Then back down to the boat, and a longer ride down the river to see the Ta Sae Waterfall. That was a small hike. We had the option to swim, but we were all so hot and sticky...and while swimming looked somewhat appealing, the water wasn't that cool, and somehow we'd have to get our sticky clothes back on afterwards...next up - an our trek through the jungle - not kidding. On foot, not on elephant. It wasn't super hot thankfully...had been raining earlier, but it was REALLY humid, and REALLY REALLY muddy - I mean crazy muddy. We hiked for an hour, up and down a trail - not super steep, but the mud really made it challenging. Somehow I did not slip...but one of the German girls did, and was caked in mud. The guides were very fun, and told us about the trees etc. However - an hour in that kind of mud and humidity...I was very happy to reach our destination for lunch. They had packed lunch...simple chicken and fried rice, but very tasty. And now - finally - time for the elephants!! I rode on one with the guide, and the two German girls rode on the other.

The best part - about 10 minutes in they asked if I wanted to try riding on his neck...and indeed I did! Once you got used to it, it was really cool...the highlight for me of the trip so far...but hard on the legs. I rode that way for maybe 15 minutes I think, maybe more, and then knew that even though I was having fun...my legs and back weren't - so I clambered back into the chair thing. Glad I did too as a bit later we encountered some steepish downward, muddy sections, and I'm not sure I would have stayed on if I had still been on the neck. Strangely enough the German girls, who had been disappointed that we weren't doing the tour that has you 'work' with the elephants - e.g. - bathe them and things - were too scared to ride on their elephant's neck...ah well - apparently I was the brave one!

It was a funny feeling riding on the neck...I was wearing thin pants, and could feel the elephant hairs through them...they are so coarse! And there's nothing really to hold onto, not like a horse with a mane, you just balance and push your hands onto the top of the elephant's head (at least that's what I did). Of course the mahouts (elephant trainers) jump around on them, and don't hold on etc. like it's the most stable thing in the world! It was a very cool experience...and also beautiful scenery. But I was really wiped out at the end of the tour...and collapsed thankfully back at the hotel!

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Comments

[Jamie]

Go Tracy Go!
Wow... elephant riding and trek looked incredible! Can't wait to see you tomorrow! p.s. there's a kitchen here if you want to try out a new Thai recipe... ;-)