Day 10/11: So Much Elephun!

After a somewhat stressful week at KWAT, the GROW Team decided to relax by arranging a trip to the Mae Sa Elephant Park in Northern Chiangmai. We were initially worried about the conditions in which the elephants were kept, but Trip Advisor assured us that these elephants were not abused or overworked. Our fears were assuaged when we got up close and personal with the pachyderms. They were lively and sly; one elephant took advantage of our initial awe by grabbing the 40 Baht bundle of baby bananas and sugar cane we had purchased just a few seconds ago. Hoon tried to wrestle the fruit away, but the elephant’s trunk was just too powerful! We managed to save the bananas, which came in handy for satisfying the little elephants. Lisa and Hoon managed to get some great pictures of the elephants kissing us with their trunks. It wasn’t the most appealing experience… it felt like two wet, warm vacuum cleaners… cute.

After 20 or so minutes of elephant shenanigans, it was time for the famous elephant performance. We sat down around the center stage and watched the elephants march in, each with a flag painted on their sides. The gentle giants started playing a game of soccer! Argentina beat Brazil 2 – 1, eliciting an uproar from the audience as the winning goal was scored.

After the riveting game, we approached the loading platforms on the wooden dock for elephant rides. Hoon and Lisa went off first on a 32 year old elephant named Billy. Ritika and I got on our elephant right after, and soon, we were on our way through the forest path. We ( although it was the elephant doing all of the work) hiked up a muddy forest path, down a steep dirt slope, and though a small river. It so relaxing!

We had to wait for our driver to come back, so we decided to check out the souvenir shop. Maybe they had a pin for my collection!… but I wasn’t in luck, it seems. One of the store owners saw me eyeing a small jar of what looked like honey and offered me a sample. I ate a bit and quickly realized it was a menthol ointment. OOPS.  Well, at least my sinuses were clear after that!

Just down the road, before the waterfall, was Mae Sa Orchard and Butterfly Farm. We all got a tiny purple orchard pinned to out shirt upon entering, but they paled in comparison to the hanging orchids just past the gift shop. There was a rainbow of flowers hanging daintily from the ceiling of their greenhouse. I gave into temptation and took a selfie with the orchids…

Just past the orchids was a butterfly enclosure (spelled Butterfie ) filled to the brim with plant-life. It was a bit cramped, but it was worth it to see swarms of butterflies fluttering by in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But then we remembered that we hadn’t eaten breakfast to catch the 8:30 Tuk Tuk! Luckily, there was an all-you-can-eat buffet just outside of the enclosure. 200 Baht was a bit pricy, but the food selection (curries, soups, samosas) was GREAT. I was sooooo full afterwards.

After taking a few more selfies with flowers, we headed to the waterfall… and soon found ourselves in a futile struggle up the forest trail. By the time we climbed the last stone to reach the 10th level, our shirts were completely soaked… gross . I was so tempted to jump into the pond at the top of the waterfall… but I didn’t have the foresight to bring swimmies or floaties. Darn. 

Sweaty and tired, we all fell asleep in the Tuk Tuk… I’m surprised that Hoon and I didn’t fall out through the back! When we got back to the guesthouse, we ran to the showers to wash off all of the god awful insect repellant. We slept in the next day, leaving the hotel only to visit the Sunday Market. After oogling at some ties and dress shirts, we ate dinner at an amazing Indian Restaurant. It’s motto was “Buy quality, cry once. Buy cheap, cry forever!”

I’m happy to say this weekend gave me nothing to cry about!