@travyling Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭 WOW what an incredible experience with magnificent creatures and amazing people! 💜🐘🙏🏼 #elephantnaturepark #elephant #chiangmai #thailand #travyling #traveling #travel #animals #conservation ♬ Baby Elephant Walk - Henry Mancini
It’s hard to imagine a better way to wake up than by the sounds of mahouts and by the sight of two elephants walking right by your front door. It was early and I was already very grateful for getting to experience the overnight stay and a second day at Elephant Nature Park (ENP).
Our group ate breakfast before grabbing some elephant snacks and heading out to explore new areas of the park. First, we went to a jungle area where we fed elephants bananas and watermelons. We then visited a few other groups of elephants. If found it interesting elephants hang out in smaller packs or cliques with fellow elephants they get along with. Following the jungle, we ventured to the skywalk. This might be my favorite area of ENP. Wide open areas surrounded by gates with a walkway above, just reachable by elephant trunks seeking snacks. The elephants that are strong and fully recovered were able to occupy the space here. While we walked the perimeter and fed many more elephants, we could hear the chanting of Buddhist monks again at nearby Wat Mueang Kut. Elephants, temples, and Buddhist chants all at the same time? What a peaceful blend of Thai culture cornerstones.
We then left the skywalk and visited the puppy rescue. I was in heaven getting to play with all the friendly dogs, especially with how much I’ve been missing my dog Toro back home. Lunch followed the puppy play date, and dessert followed lunch. For the second time in Thailand, I had an ice cream sandwich. I know what you’re probably thinking, but the Thai style ice cream sandwich is literally scoops of ice cream between two pieces of white bread. Don’t knock it until you try it. It’s surprisingly tasty. After all, I got it a second time.
Our shuttle back to Chiang Mai was arranged for 3:00PM, but I was able to sneak in an hour foot massage from the one of the masseuses on sight at ENP. It was much needed after all of the walking done the last two days.
Before arriving to ENP, I thought it would be a simple and unique experience interacting with elephants. My experience was far better than what I could have expected in every possible way. You could feel an energy in the air of a nurturing and caring nature. I truly believe and support the founder and the work that they’re doing, and plan to return in the future for a 7 day volunteering experience.
After we returned to Chiang Mai, we met up with Morgan’s friend Catherine for dinner at a sushi restaurant. Next, we went to a rooftop bar atop of Maya mall and enjoyed some fancy cocktails and skyline views of Chiang Mai. Catherine’s friends joined us, and turns out a few of them also live in San Diego and we play volleyball with the same friends. Small world!
Later, we went to Zoey in Yellow, a fun area with many small bars and live music. We had a few drinks while enjoying some live music at a Reggae bar. Eventually Zoey in Yellow closed, so we migrated to a bar literally called After Bar, where we played pool and enjoyed listening to one of Joseph’s friend’s DJ.