Bathing Full MoonDeep in the Thai jungle, towards the border with Burma, lives the second female in Mr d2t's life. Luckily Mrs d2t appreciates her gentle nature, pretty face and love of bananas, although the liking for pineapple leaves is a little more difficult to understand! Full Moon is a delightful elephant who lives in a small reserve about 90 minutes drive from Kanchanaburi.
To reach the jungle, we would advise booking a trip with TourwithTong (feel free to ask us for a quote). In a day you should have time to see the famous bridge over the River Kwai, the moving war cemetery, pop to see Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom (the highest pagoda in the world) and save the pachyderm fun for last. We would recommend hiring one of Tong's large VIP vans to give you plenty of space to spread out, carry spare clothes and relax on the roughly three hour journey. To the right you can see some photos of Kanchanaburi - we would recommend avoiding the Tiger Temple as we didn't feel the animals were treated with respect there. However, there are safari parks, wild monkeys and the Tiger Temple for those who are interested. |
So, to the highlight of the day. We would always recommend riding an elephant bare back as it is much kinder to the animal's joints and skin than those heavy metal chairs you often see. In the park, you will be introduced to the mahout (we have always had Peter) who will remain with you at all times. From a high platform, it is relatively easy to climb onto Full Moon's broad back and, although it takes a bit of getting used to a first, you will soon become accustomed to the rocking gait of her walk. Strolling down to the river (hold on tight when going downhill) it is a delight to cool off in the waters. Here, the fun and games begin. Whilst some of the tricks you are encouraged to do for the photo opportunities (sitting on Full Moon's knee, standing under trunk etc) feel formulaic, there is something very special about being so close to such a majestic beast. Whether splashing each other, being ducked into the water or simply being held by Full Moon, feeling her purring deep in your chest, it was a real privilege to be allowed close contact. Before our trip, we had had concerns over animal rights in Thailand. However, it seemed that Full Moon enjoyed her work - she certainly has a mischievous streak! Take plenty of bananas for afterwards and make sure you wear clothes that don't matter - you will get wet!
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