Bathing in the river. It's what we all do best 🙂 And...normally I don't look that bald! River water makes your hair flat!
At
Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai Thailand, Pat and his wife (the owners) warmly welcome you to their farm to play the role of elephant owner for a day. With one on one help from a trainer (who are local tribe members), you quickly learn all that goes into raising a healthy and happy elephant on a daily basis! It’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have as a tourist. The day begins by testing the waters. Is your elephant happy? Is (s)he healthy? Just hold up some bananas, call out his/her name and wait for a response. If you get ear flapping, trunk flailing, and horns-a-blazing, you’ve got yourself a best friend for the day! Go feed him/her!
Just getting to know each other! Kinda like a first date.
Katy looks a little more comfortable w/ it than I do! Check out those teeth (on the elephant)!
After a little bit of food, it’s time to ask the more intimate questions.
Question 1: Are your feet sweaty? In the elephant world, that’s a good thing. Pat said the only place an elephant sweats is through it’s toe nails. I wish I only had that problem! Just call me Pit Stains McGee 😦
Question 2: What does your poop smell and look like? Actually elephant poop is a lot like horse poop. B/c they’re vegetarians, they tend to have a mild smelling poop and it tends to be very fibrous! That goes for humans as well. Maybe you all should think about becoming vegetarian too 🙂 If you know what I mean 🙂
Just a little toenail sweat is considered to be healthy!
Does the book Everybody Poops come to mind here? Someone tell me you've read it or seen it before!
Mmmmm.... another vegetarian with a high fiber diet.
Ok, looks good so far. Your award for being healthy is a brush down w/ some leaves and a sponge bath.
An elephant back scratcher and dirt remover. The key to looking young is proper maintenance!
To the water!!
Grab em' by the ear. Just like the nuns use to do to me!
Oh…forgot to mention our tribal wear is authentic. The women of the Karen tribe (that’s actually the tribe that has the women w/ the long necks with all the gold rings around them) make them and we wear them b/c their sons’ (the trainers) wear them. This makes the elephants a little more confortable around us.
Exfoliation!!
One last wash down! Check out the arch on our water bucket toss. Not bad, eh??
I take that back... one more rinse off for all of us!
After our bath, it’s back to base camp for another feeding! These guys eat 10 percent of their body weight a day! For me, that would be about 18 lbs of food a day. Wow!
That's right, it's a cow bell around that elephants neck. Sadly, it's to keep poachers from getting at the ivory.
Ok, eating is over. No need to wait for digestion. It’s ongoing! So let’s ride!
- “Just sit right on top of their head.”, they said.
About an hour later, we reached the waterfall! Time for lunch and a swim with friends.
- Hey, where did my elephant go? I swear I was just sitting on him.
- There he is!!
At the end of the day, Pat told us he matched us up w/ our elephants based on personality. Based on these pictures, I’d say we made cute couples!
- “Is this an elephant or a hairy rock?”
- Peek-a-Boo
- Staying on the elephants in the water proved to be very difficult for Katy.
- Ok… I guess I had a little trouble too!
- But in the end… we came out on top. Well, kind of.
- Well, one of us did!
When Katy and I sign up for tourist attractions, we always have this worry (as I’m sure many of you do too) that our experience won’t feel authentic and that we’ll feel as if we were just part of the masses paying our money and passing through. Pat made sure this wasn’t the case! He was there everystep of the way sharing w/ us his visions of the future and speaking to us as if we were a major part of it. It was inspiring! He even put us on an email list to let us know when the next baby was to be born! He was a business man who really cared about his business! Way to go Pat!
- Lunch time!!
- And a little entertainment!!
- and table scraps for the beggers.
- I was almost a table scrap!!
After an authentic Thai lunch, we hopped on our elephants for the long trek home.
- All aboard for one last ride. BTW, Katy was a ninja in her previous life.
- Over the river and through the rice fields… I think that’s how the song goes over here.
- One last goodbye. What an incredible experience!
What a day! Btw, all of these pictures were taken by Pat’s camera people and included in the original price! Usually when you go out with a tourist group, they take a lot of pictures and then beg you to buy them at the end of the day. At the end of the day, Pat’s uncle dropped us off at our hostel and an hour later, Pat, himself, dropped off the two CD’s (over 700 pics and 100 video clips) at our hostel’s front desk! First Class!!
Oh my gosh!!! My favorite yet!!! How amazing!! I would have loved to roll around with that elephant…in credible creatures. Ahh :))) I’d write more but my incredible creature is squirming around ready to eat the phone. 🙂
Love l n g
By: Liz welter on October 19, 2009
at 8:21 am
Way too cool!! 🙂 Looks like you both had a blast!
By: Sara on October 19, 2009
at 10:20 am
What a truly exceptional experience which made me very jealous. I was so impressed with how easy you two made getting on a elephant look. I can only imagine my endeavor to get on the head of an elephant. Your faces radiated pure joy which made me so happy.
Much love, Mom
By: Mom Welter on October 19, 2009
at 12:39 pm
Totally Awesome!! Everything! 🙂
By: Donna on October 19, 2009
at 5:26 pm
Man, these pictures are really amazing…so cool
By: Micah Ling on October 19, 2009
at 9:17 pm
Hi Rick/Katy. Just got back from New Orleans this morning and enjoyed catching up on the blog. I love the elephants!! I’ll have to show Casey. Wonderful that you’ll be volunteering in Katmandu. Love, Mom
By: krb on October 21, 2009
at 12:07 pm
Just lovely and envious. How I wish I could experience the same.
By: NEIL LORD V. GUITANG on October 30, 2009
at 8:22 pm
hey itz a everlasting experience just by web
but virtually ir ll be heaven. leading life with animals that too innocent elephants is really like leading a life in a heavenly world.
even i love elephant’s
i love this blog
By: prashanth.s.v on October 30, 2009
at 11:25 pm
wow! pictures are amazing!! that elephant is wonderful! i think it is not easy to bath him. he is so huge!!
By: jimmynorth on October 31, 2009
at 3:13 am
hi Rick and Katy,
I visited Patara in June this year, and what an amazing experience! It’s great to see other people blogging about it, because it really was a life-changing adventure that I don’t think you understand until you’ve worked with the elephants. Loved all your pictures, they remind me of all the fun I had that day, and all I learned (I, too, have a dung-sniffing photo! haha)
If you’re still in Thailand, or going back, I highly recommend Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi – absoutely incredible! Go to the morning breakfast with the monks and feed/play with/bathe the tigers. unforgettable….
light and love,
bethany 🙂
By: bethanypeterson on October 31, 2009
at 3:49 am
Hey! Great trip, huh? I was just wondering what’s the price like for a day like this? I couldn’t find anything from their website.. thanks!
By: loohan on October 31, 2009
at 6:15 am
I saw you featured on the WP page. Get me on a plane to Thailand. Thai food AND elephants! What a life!
By: metaphase on October 31, 2009
at 7:16 am
Great trip, and thank you for beutiful picture.
By: on ale on October 31, 2009
at 8:33 am
Wow!!
It’s just amazing.
I wanna be a friend of elephant.
By: sunny on October 31, 2009
at 8:49 am
What remarkable images… I can’t imagine what that would be like…
By: dustin on October 31, 2009
at 10:56 am
Thank you for sharing this. Its an enjoyable, feel good, add to the list of places to visit, read.
By: Mysoul on October 31, 2009
at 12:25 pm
There is not much in this world that I like more than elephants. Such beautiful graceful creatures! 🙂
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By: Pretty Project on October 31, 2009
at 3:40 pm
How wonderful to befriend an elephant for a day . . . my favorite animal!! I’d love to visit Chiang Mai just to share in these experiences of your adventures. Great post!
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By: Manami on October 31, 2009
at 4:39 pm
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By: baby, i’m a tin man « kissing fireflies on the beach on November 1, 2009
at 3:14 am
OMG i so love this! 😀 thanks for sharing those wonderful pics 😀
By: julius on November 1, 2009
at 3:55 am
This is so great! In fact, it’s greater than the pink elephants that I OWN….ok…I don’t really own them…ok…their in the condo above…ok…technically I’ve never seen them…but I’ve heard them…ok…someone might confuse them with noisy neighbors…but I KNOW that I have pink friends of my own in the condo above me. 😉 I’m sure of it.
By: Tiiz on November 1, 2009
at 5:07 am
Just blogwaking… anyway nice pics! ^_^
By: Encyclopedia on November 1, 2009
at 11:08 am
interesting !!!
By: dinu on November 1, 2009
at 11:23 am
Seems you had enjoyed very well with elephant and nice pictures also there. Nice blog man.
By: Madhav on November 1, 2009
at 12:10 pm
great, i love big animal 🙂
you have to visit Indonesia, especially komodo island..
By: Pradina Sugiharto on November 1, 2009
at 6:03 pm
hey coool
By: jojoduet on November 1, 2009
at 7:36 pm
This is brilliant! Did you guys make paper out of elephant poop? I went there, too, and the paper-making process was, as they say in Lion King, “slimy…yet satisfying.” Have fun on your travels!
By: Cherrie Rhodes on November 1, 2009
at 8:49 pm
That would be SO COOL! I love the pictures also.
By: softballgirl78 on November 2, 2009
at 1:07 am
Nice one mate… Must say a really good experience one of its kind
By: innocentdevil21in on November 2, 2009
at 4:03 am
That is SO cool. My friend would LOVE to experiance something like that if she had the chance to.
By: 0205megank on November 2, 2009
at 7:55 am
Wonderful photos! My daughter-in-law is currently at Elephant Nature Park as a volunteer working with elephants for a week and we haven’t gotten any photos yet, so this was especially timely and interesting to us. You look like you’re having a fantastic time. My son is also in Thailand, immersed in Muay Thai training at the Fairtex Camp in Bangplee. We’ve gotten photos from him, and from what we’ve seen Thailand is an absolutely gorgeous place. If you don’t mind, I’m going to add your blog to my blogroll so I can follow your adventures.
By: wanderingseniors on November 2, 2009
at 8:14 am
Just incredible, great images, amazing opportunity and experience!
By: Kweli Wright on November 2, 2009
at 9:55 am
Now that looks like FUN!!!
By: mwgriffith on November 2, 2009
at 1:47 pm
looks like a great experience!
By: fallingnotflying on November 2, 2009
at 1:58 pm
super cool
By: james on November 2, 2009
at 9:12 pm
Wow! What amazing pictures 🙂
By: Jennifer on November 2, 2009
at 9:14 pm
nice animals…
By: hasruL on November 2, 2009
at 9:56 pm
what a phantastic story!
thanks for sharing this amazing piece of real live with us :o)
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By: adiblogger on November 3, 2009
at 12:53 am
I hope that I’m able to visit this place someday. For now, I can only imagine the countless breathtaking moments you must have experienced at this elephant farm. Amazing creatures.
By: Ninja Don on November 3, 2009
at 4:27 pm
wow
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By: s8529226 on November 3, 2009
at 7:36 pm
What a great blog! This looks like the making of a fun book.
By: Linda Radke on November 3, 2009
at 8:16 pm
incredible
By: Mike on November 3, 2009
at 9:35 pm
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By: Dream Adventure:Thailand « Every Day Adventures on November 3, 2009
at 10:32 pm
If I’m ever in Thailand, being an elephant owner for a day is not definitely on my to-do list! Thanks for sharing!
By: Sophia on November 4, 2009
at 1:52 am
If I ever find myself in Thailand, being the owner of an elephant for a day is now on the to-do list. Thanks for sharing!
By: Sophite on November 4, 2009
at 1:53 am
If I someday go to Thailand, being the owner of an elephant for a day is definitely on the to-do list. Thanks for sharing!
By: Sophite on November 4, 2009
at 1:54 am
I am envious of your time there. I was there about 4 years ago and fell in love with Thailand and the elephants, of course. Enjoy your time in such a lovely place.
By: Carole on November 4, 2009
at 2:31 am
wow! that is amazing and looks like a lot of fun.thanks for sharing the pic. and videos
By: karen on November 4, 2009
at 3:14 am
I loved reading this post! How great an thanks for sharing the experience 🙂
By: Sammy25 on November 4, 2009
at 4:41 am
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By: ?!RANDOM POST?! « Randomnessman – Where is the randomness in you? on November 4, 2009
at 5:05 am
great!
By: sam on November 4, 2009
at 5:15 am
This is totally added to my list of things to do before I die!
By: justalittlepiece on November 4, 2009
at 6:07 am
[…] here to read more and see more amazing photos! Leave a Comment No Comments Yet so far Leave a […]
By: Elephant Owner for a Day « UGA Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter on November 4, 2009
at 9:46 am
BEAUTIFUL!
By: paulwmitchel on November 4, 2009
at 11:43 am
very good!
By: chinese new year on November 4, 2009
at 12:36 pm
[…] top posts of the day Elephant Owner for a Day Singapore Airlines All-Business Class and The Longest Flight on […]
By: Wordpress top posts of the day « Kaythayarzar on November 4, 2009
at 3:14 pm
OMG!
I envy you so much!
They look so cute and amazing!
AWWWWWWW
By: ג'רוזלם פוסט לייט on November 4, 2009
at 5:16 pm
i’m green with envy! that was great! i like that picture of you guys having lunch on banana leaves. cute. 🙂
By: jenjereren on November 4, 2009
at 6:33 pm
wow, great pictures, you made me wanna travel
By: nolpol on November 4, 2009
at 7:20 pm
some more….awesome…more photos pls.
By: vita31 on November 4, 2009
at 7:23 pm
paradise isn’t it
By: vita31 on November 4, 2009
at 7:25 pm
hey. want to visit Philippines…lots of wonderful , breathtaking place awaits here…
By: vita31 on November 4, 2009
at 7:27 pm
oh my gosh your sooo lucky!!!!!
By: jojoduet on November 28, 2009
at 10:03 pm
i wish i could be an elephant owner for 2 days that would be soooo cool!!!!
By: jojoduet on February 6, 2010
at 10:10 pm
My husband and I are planning on going to Thailand this year and this is one of the main things I know I HAVE TO DO! Your pictures are incredible and I was wondering if they take pictures of you with your own camera or did you get other guests there to take them, because I see some of both of you on the elephant…and basically capturing the memories is just as important to me as making them!! Also if it’s yours what kind of camera was this, a water safe one? haha thank youuuu
By: Kelly Williams on March 4, 2010
at 9:08 am
They take the pics with their cameras and don’t even charge you extra. Lots of videos too! A wonderful day!!!
By: rbieterm on March 4, 2010
at 11:27 am
Based on your response and others’, my husband and I went to Patara- wow, it is everything one would imagine!!! which elephants did you have? I rode Nui, and my husband rode a very pregnant Meboon-Thong. Happy travels =)
By: Elisia on March 31, 2010
at 6:43 am
[…] Visit Thailand. And Australia. We visited both places last year on our eastern hemisphere trip and met an older woman in each country who shamed us into our overuse of air conditioning. In fact, […]
By: How I learned to live without air conditioning in the hottest summer on record. « Spork in the Road on July 28, 2010
at 7:44 pm