Elephant Nature Park

On Monday I arrived in Ban Chang at the Elephant Nature park to volunteer for the week. I shared a room with a lovely Austrian lady called Petra. We had a traditional Thai welcome ceremony in the evening where there was some live music and we were all blessed.

Morning jobs started at 8am and varied from cutting corn, preparing the elephant food and clearing the poo which our group had the privilege of doing very often! We got the opportunity to wash the elephants in the river everyday after lunch which was a great way to cool off! In the afternoons we planted trees put fences up and went on the most amazing elephant walk.

We also took a day trip to the local village school on thursday as they had World vision day, the children were so lovely, happy and proud to live in Thailand. I made a bracelet with the cutest Thai girl, had delicious corn cakes and won an English test! Think I had a slight advantage.

The food here is incredible (including a very popular avocado salad...I definitely haven't been going hungry that's for sure. It was our final evening last night and we had a traditional dinner and Thai dancing by the girls from the local school.

The park not only saves endangered elephants but homes and cares for cats, dogs, water buffalo, and many more animals. The founder Lek is such an inspiration...if anyone would like to find out more you must visit the website!
www.elephantnaturepark.org/

It was the last day today and I did something very memorable to end the trip... I got a tattoo! It is of a Thai phrase 'Ahingsa' which means non violence and compassion for all living things'....Sorry mum I hope you like it.

All of the fellow volunteers were lovely and the coordinators were amazing they have a great sense of humour! Going back to Chiang Mai for 2 or 3 days...going to meet up with some people tonight and go to the night market then hopefully do a cooking class tomorrow and go to the temple to see the sunset... Living the dream...

Ready for the next adventure!