Today was one of the more exciting activities we had planned, going to play around with the elephants and stuff. Hannah did a lot of research, trying to find the most ethical sanctuary to go to. There were a lot of conflicting reviews for almost all of them. but Happy elephant home looked like the best one we could find.

A nice air conditioned van picked us up at 9am alongside the rest of our group, of which there were only about 12 in total. Some other English people as well (but we didn't talk to them, they were from the North, possibly Birmingham). The rest were lovely Americans. One of which had broken her leg during her trip somewhere, not sure how much enjoyment she would get of the day.

The sanctuaries all seem to be in a similar place, about an hour drive north of Chiang Mai. We got changed into some durable clothes they provided you with, to protect your own, and also so the elephants smell you as friend not foe. Then went to chop up some sugarcane with good old fashioned machete's (YES!!!!). We then went to go and feed the Elephants. When you see them in zoo's it's easy to forget how big they are. It's less difficult to avoid though when they are dragging things out of your hand and standing right next to you. They had a older female; middle aged male and female and a 3 year old baby male, who was born there. Elephants also like covering themselves in mud, like suncream. So we all got involved getting them all muddied up. It was especially nice when they would spray the mud everywhere; hair, eyes, mouth. Yummy.

They also had a 4 week old as well who was kept in a separate area with the mother until he was big enough to join the herd. Very energetic, kept trying to steal peoples shoes and chasing the chickens.

After this, it was lunchtime, quite a good meal. They put all the ingredients out and it was a cook yourselves noodle soup. 

Once we had our fill, we helped make some vitamin balls for the elephants, keep them all healthy. Essentially just shoving fruits and herbs and stuff into a giant pestle and mortar, crush them up, then make them into balls. We then went back to the elephants and fed them these balls. It was different to the sugarcane, you had to place the balls directly into their mouth. Slightly worried I would have to be fitted for a hook or swiss army hand.

We then headed down to the river to go for a swim with the elephants and give them a good wash, so we walked them down to the river and got a swim on. I think these elephants have gotten used to the pampering. They just lie there getting washed. The keepers did get them to get the water in their trunk they spray you with it. That's pretty cool (the water was not warm).

After a really nice time with them, we headed back to the sanctuary, where we could relax with a beer overlooking the stunning scenery. Then we all piled back into the minibus and back home it was. Overall the sanctuary seemed as ethical as the research had suggested, the elephants were free to join if with each activity as they chose - if they weren't interested they were left to their own devices. Great day.

We took quite a few photos - there are a few below, the rest are in the Chiang Mai photo album.

We wanted to head back out to Nun's for dinner, the food was that good. But irritatingly it was closed, so we went next door. Unfortunately not quite as good; there seems to be a thing here of sweet pad thai, which isn't as good.