Elephant Chaffing & Becoming the Attraction

I don't know these guys, but this is what the elephant "saddle" is like...
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Happy All Saints Day!

Finally the sleeping schedule is nearing normalcy, and I got to sleep until nearly 7:30 this morning!  After some fantastic lounging and a light breakfast of toast and a fruit and yogurt shake (Lassi), we set off for the elephants!

we were allowed to ride them "bareback" on our journey to the river

Traveling and tourism always bring up a lot of ethical conflicts for me.  So, I asked our driver about how the elephants are treated and if it maybe wasn't a very good life for them hauling tourists around the jungle hills all day.  He assured me that the elephants had been previously employed in the timber industry - much harder work than hauling tourists - and would now be retired without a home if not for the preserve.  I want to believe him!

Joining the elephant for a dip! This was the best because the elephants seem to love it!
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After some standing around waiting our turn, watching a baby elephant play the kazoo and hula, and having my photo taken with a big male elephant, we climbed the tower to mount the elephants.  We were seated by twos and threes onto the elephant chairs where we rode through the jungle up and down the hills for about 1/2 an hour.  The best part of the ride for me was being in the canopy and coming face to face with my FAVORITE tropical fruit - the pinha!!  (See photo.)  Never before had I dreamed of being able to identify just what kind of tree this delicious piece of heaven came from.  MMMMM!!!

Mmmmmm... my absolute favorite tropical fruit. What's it's name in Thai? Don't know!
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After riding the elephants in the hills, one at a time we were allowed to slide down off the chair and ride them "bareback" on our journey to the river.  Elephants do not have soft skin.  It is rough, leathery, and covered with wiry hair.  So despite my joy scratching the elephant behind the ears as we ambled toward the river, I managed (wearing my bikini bottom only) to accomplish some serious chaffing.  Ouch!  We dismounted while the chairs were removed and rode them one at a time into the river so the elephants could cool off, and of course cool us off in the process.  Fun!

You can't even imagine how yummy this is. The sweet flesh melts in your mouth.
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On the way back to the van, we became the attraction.  Having turned in my swimming top the night before (after a day of swimming) for washing, I didn't have anything  but a bra and my swimming bottoms to wear.  Not a problem for an immodest individual like myself.  At the elephant river, several Thais had congregated (especially men) to watch us swim in the river with the elephants and take photos of us.  I didn't find this particularly offensive, as many Thais are fascinated by white skin.

As we were crossing the lawn through a group of about twenty people, several young women in their late teens gave us huge smiles and indicated that they'd like to take a photo of us.  When we said okay, they got really excited and then decided that they wanted photos WITH us.  So, we became the elephants as they all took turns having a photo with us.  We were busy being amused by this bizarre occurrence that it was only on the drive home that we realized we should have gotten out OUR cameras, too!  Our driver explained that they were from a place in Thailand that sees very few tourists and were so eager to take home photos of themselves with a caucasian.  Fun, fun!

Now we're off to Sukothai - an ancient city north of Bangkok several hours.  Wish us luck on our first overnight bus ride!