First day with Pak Boon

My very first day at the Thai Elephant Home, I was introduced to Pak Boon, a five year old female elephant, who was to become "my elephant" for the next seven days.



I began learning some basic verbal commands so that Pak Boon would lay down allowing me to climb up onto her back....



I learned how to get Pak Boon to lay down.... especially helpful when washing her.



Just hanging around Pak Boon was a hoot! Later, when I started to ride her up into the jungle, I was to find out that Pak Boon definately had a mind of her own..., she walked very slowly up the jungle path, wanting to stop a taste pretty much every blade of grass along the path ... and definately did not like having anyone walk directly behind her!

An elephant still loves me!

Two weeks into volunteering at Maetaman Elephant Camp ....



The elephants still love me!



Of course ... it helps when I'm the one who gives them their mid morning snack ... done with great care so that all I get is elephant tongue on me ... without my hand becoming part of the snack!

It's elephant mud bath time!

I am not sure who enjoyed this activity the most ..... the elephants or me!



With the rain falling, the elephants immediately walked into the mud bath ... and I quickly followed with container in hand to scoop up the black mud cleaners and rub it on the elephants.

Packaging tasty "elephant" snacks!

A fun addition to this week's schedule....



Had Ivona, one of the other volunteers, and I making elephant snacks!




Best part was giving the elephants their mid morning snack.

Jab the painter!

Jab ... my elephant is an artist ... and dedicated too, since he paints everyday.




Jab's got some real potential! A masterpiece in the making ....!