December 14th, 2015
Leaving the the elephants at the Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary pulled on my heart strings. if i was a bit younger and not committed as I am to my medical practice, I would consider spending a few months here as a volunteer. Being around the elephants is not only an exciting adventure, it also feels like an unusual spiritual experience, difficult to put into words.
We headed back towards northern Thailand to a town called Lampang, located a few hours south of Chiang Mai, on the Wang River. Near Lampang we will be staying several days at a government run conservation center for elephants. The mahouts will train us how to be with the elephants and handle them, including bathing them in the river.
On the way to Lampang, we made several stops to look at famous temple ruins where royal families are buried and statues of the Buddhas are crumbling back into dirt and dust.
A hike up a little mountain leads us to a spectacular surprise.
Something about this particular ruin left us in a state of reverence. We lingered here as the sun rolled in, some on their knees in prayer.
At this temple ruin, we came upon yet another statue of the Buddha. Every statue emanated a different feeling..
Both Thais and tourists come here to pray and give offerings of incense and flowers.
Our wonderful little group of women from Seattle, Santa Fe, Portland, Grand Junction in Colorado, and Hawaii. Lily, the youngest in the group, flew in from India where she is doing a project for her PhD in public health.
We explored a large, historical park filled with lakes and temple ruins.
‘We rented bikes to ride around the large park full of temple ruins. The bikes looked like something I rode when I was in the second grade. On one of these antique bikes is Donna from Grand Junction, formerly involved in the environmental department.
The temple ruins are lit up at night.
Lotus flowers in the moat around the temple grounds, lit up at night by the spotlights.
The food is delicious. Here is a coconut and lemon grass soup I ordered.
We stopped at a rest stop to take a bathroom break and found these displays letting us know which bathroom to use. Thais have a great sense of humor and love to laugh.
Let me introduce you to our driver, Khak, who has been with us throughout our time in Thailand. He just woke up from a nap in his van after waiting for us while we got massages. He loves to laugh and make jokes and sing.
The ruins of an elephant temple. The trunks of all the elephants disintegrated over the past 800 years. It’s quite a contrast see how much elephants have been revered in the past and even worshipped, and now are struggling to survive given the obstacles they face with loss of habitat, poaching, land mines, overwork, and abuse.
This Buddha lost his head. It probably was stolen. Ancient heads of Buddha statues are in demand in the black market. There is a law in Thailand that old heads of Buddha can not be taken out of the country.
This Buddha managed to hold onto his head.
We arrive at our hotel in Lampang, a lovely place to lodge, right on the Wang River.
The foyer and lobby of our hotel looks like a little jungle.
View from my verandah.
Below are a few scenes taken on a walk around the town.
Art school.
We spend a few hours listening to Richard Laird, one of the world’s experts on Asian elephants and author of several books on the subject. .
Lighting a makeshift menora on the last night of Hanukkah. Beth Harris on the last, Lily Walkover in the middle and Diane Rawlins on the right.
Tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn we leave to spend the next several days at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC). I just found out the elephant I will be assigned is Prathida (Princess), is the same elephant that danced to Jami Sieber’s cello music in the video. She was 7 years old then. Now she is 22 years old. Her mahout is named John. I’m so excited I can barely contain myself.
I can’t wait to share this experience with you. I heard the conditions are primitive at the conservation center and that there is no internet. Oh well. I’ll find a way—just like I did when I was in Cuba—even if I have to walk a few miles.
Bye for now,
Erica, The Elephant Girl
Wow!
Very beautiful! Looks like the food is sumptuous and delicious. Would love to see all the temples, buddhas and gorgeous plant life and flowers with the wonderful elephants.
Keep up the great posts and adventure!
This has been a beautiful experience with you, Erica. I have loved it all!! Thank you, thank you!!!
Hi Erica, I am so excited for your journey through my most favorite place, so far, in the world. Seeing it through your fresh pair of eyes all over again, is a gift. Many times, I welled up, while reading and getting your visual impressions, too. Thank you for your effort to bringing Thailand to us. Much love, wren
As always the images are great. Still want some of that good food except the cabeza de cerdo!
Your words/photos continue to be the joy spot of my day. And my geography lessons have become a must. But Of course, the ELEPHANTS continue to be the stars of the journal. thank you again. And if you can would you whisper my words of love to one or more of them.? pat
Great pictures. What a fabulous tour. Surely a trip of a lifetime, and since probably one I’ll never take, you’re getting me as close to it as I’ll probably ever be. Thank you!
Marino said the pig heads are, “groady!”.
THANKS for the tour through Thailand. Since I can no longer roam the world as before (“Oh white moon, you are lonely, it is the same with me. But we have the world to roam over, only the lonely are free”) it is fantastic to see your journey!
SO excited for you to have this opportunty Erica – ENJOY yourself!!!!!
Dear Elephant Girl,
Once again I have tears in my eyes. Your descriptions of Thailand and the beautiful Elephant ruins, the amazing Buddhas, the wonderful photos are so inspiring. I can feel the emotion. Sending love from a very cold and snowy Santa Fe…
Again, tea, kitty in lap, beautiful snow and a good read. Thank you Erica.
Barbara
fantastic. immensely inspiring.simon s.