"Elephant Buddha"

The very first thing I did upon arrival at the Thai Elephant Home, was to go to the shrine and pay my respects to the "Elephant Buddha."



Part of the ritual included my bringing a fresh coconut, rambutan (red fruit) and incense to the shrine.



The thatch covered shrine to the "Elephant Buddha" set in the jungles or northern Thailand.



After placing the coconut and rambuta at the shrine, Mahout Joe and I burned incense and paid your respects to the "Elephant Buddha."

Elephant Picasso?

Would you believe an elephant painted this?



At Maetaman Elephant Camp ..... an elephant indeed did paint this picture. One can buy this elephant's paintings in Thailand for around $100 ..... or try and buy it in the USA and you might end up spending in the thousands of dollars. Needless to say, after the BBC did a documentary on this elephant and his paintings ... well demand shot straight up as did the prices.



Here is my elephant "Jab" painting ....



With some guidance from Gong, Jab's mahout .... he paints great flowers!



Jsb's work of elephant art!