Yet another early start for our trip elephant trekking. It was again a very very hot day and this time our transport was a Songthaew with other people from the lodge.
As we haired off to the place for the elephant trekking we did wonder if we could make it alive as our driver had no question to overtaking with on coming traffic and going to the other side of the road on blind bends!
Once we got there we watcged as the elephants finished having their breakfasts before setting on them. To climb onto these BFG's we had to climb up onto a high platform before stepping onto the elephants back to sit on our seat. As there was an odd number of people I got to go on my own which I loved.
My elephant had character he was eating all the way round and was quite a happy fella.
My elephant guide had a definate bond with the elephant and didn't need to shout as the elephant just did as he should. My elephant would put his head down for him to climb and a gentle tap to the left or right of his head moved him in the required direction. When we got back we were offered the opportunity to purchase photo's of ourselve on the elephants, I HAD to buy mine because my elephant was excellent he had proper tusks and a big grin on his face!
I then purchase some bananas to feed them and then headed off in the songthaew again to a waterfall which was lovely and nice and cold. By this point I started to feel very ropey which was a combination of too much alchohol the night before and too much hot sun!
When we got back I was really unwell so I went back to bed to get some sleep while Clair and Mrs J went exploring.
While I slept Clair bravely went Inner Tubing down the river which unfortunately resulted in her being thrown off her innertube after hitting a rock and being dragged down the rapids bruising and grazing herself on the rocks.
The adventurer in Clair was getting her a bit bitten battered and bruised.
When Clair and Mrs J came back I was well rested and an afternoon out of the sun made me feel a lot better so we went for dinner.
After a relaxing evening chilling at Arts, Clair and I went to the Funky Monkey Bar again. Again they were very friendly and we settled ourselves of some floor cushions and listened to everything from the Red hot Chilli's to some Thai dance music. One of the locals kept trying to get us to dance but he remained seated.
After a short while the little kitten that lived there showed up so we fussed her for a while and then let her go on her way.
After one drink we headed over to Freedom Bar where we saw some of the people from the other tour and joined them for a drink. Clair then headed back while I went with the group for one more drink back at the Funky Monkey where we sat chatting to the locals.
One guy named Pod who spoke excellent English was telling us a bit more about life here and just as the kitten started playing with a dung beetle he told us how the locals used to have to eat them and other insects before the tourists started coming but now they come they have a better quality of life and can afford things like chicken and pork. For once it felt good to be a tourist as for once we weren't hated for it.
All i thought was I hope that tourism doesn't end up getting so bad that it spoils this beautiful spot.
