This is definitely one for the books! An amazing encounter with the gentle giants, I couldn’t be happier!
Pattaya Elephant sanctuary is about 2 hr drive from central Bangkok, but we booked the experience with a hotel pick up so it was hassle free and opted for the afternoon activity. They fetched us at 10AM, we had an hr brunch break in Starbucks then hit the road again. Upon arrival, we registered. They offered us complimentary drinks. We stayed in the visitor’s area for a quick briefing. Although the weather was really hot and humid, the facility misters and fan helped a lot! They had a mini store where you could buy food and refreshments and some souvenirs. I bought a pair of slippers and Alex bought a hat. The facility had their photographer to snap photos for free, but they encouraged everyone to take photos and videos as much they could.
First activity was elephant feeding. We met 5 wonderful and very smart female elephants! It’s amazing to know they have different personalities and food preferences. Some loved bananas while others loved sugarcane and grass. They required everyone to wash hands before feeding the elephants. Safety tip, always follow the tour guide. Always stay in front of the elephants, never on the side nor the back. Feed them one banana at a time, never hold anything else while feeding as they might end up in elephant’s mouth.
Second activity was to make vitamins. We mixed banana, supplements, rice, salt, tamarind, and coconut sugar altogether in a wood that served as mortar and pestle and pounded them until they were mashed and formed it into fist size balls. Each of us gave the elephants at least 2 and they loved it!
Next activity was the best for me! We bathed the elephants and gave them a pamper session. We scrubbed them with mud and washed them in their elephant pool. It was so fun and refreshing! The facility had numerous clean toilets and showers to use with complete toiletries except towels. They also had lockers to put all your stuff for free!
After we cleaned ourselves up and changed, they offered us a variety of tasty Thai food and fruits inclusive of the tour. They gave us free tote bags each, they were so cute!
Last activity was paper making from elephant’s dung. It was an interesting one I’ll tell you that. We got to bring home papers made by previous groups.
This has been the highlight of our Bangkok trip, it’s difficult to top this!
26 май 2024
