We took a bus Wednesday morning from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai where our hotel picked us up to take us to Chiang Sean (so many Chiangs!).
We decided to splurge for a 2 night stay at the
Anantara Elephant Camp and Resort after a friend recommended it and wow it completely worth it! It's all inclusive with multiple restaurants and you get an activity for each night that you stay at the resort. We of course chose the Elephant experience and also 2 spa treatments.
I didn't realize how tight/somewhat stressed I was till I was able to completely relax in such a serene place. We've been to a lot of loud, crazy cities so it was such a lovely getaway. Our room had a three country view, Thailand, Burma, and Laos...I mean where else can you get that??
The main event - the elephant experience. We knew we wanted to do one in Thailand but also wanted one that were humane and had effective conservation efforts - Anantara was just that. When we arrived to the camp, I couldn't believe it. I mean sure I've seen elephants in zoos but to be walking right next to them and be able to touch them? It was unreal.
The camp had a 4 month old baby elephant named Sam that was so clumsy and cute I couldn't handle it! Then we met our elephants. I had Lanna and Stacey had Pepsi and I soon figured out that Pepsi had a lot of tricks up his trunk!
We were told commands (though they really only listened to their mahouts - elephant trainers) and we were on our way! To feel how a massive yet giant animal walks was unbelievable. We sat right on their necks and held onto their heads, I couldn't believe how stable they were walking up and down hills.
Our first stop: the pond for a bath. The pictures really explain all that happened - Pepsi loved to surprise me with a trunk to the face!
We carried on through the hills to have an amazing view of the Golden Triangle. The elephant camp truly takes care of the elephants and allows them to roam these hills at night so they are held by chains which is typical of other elephant camps.
Lanna was getting a bit stubborn towards the end though I can't blame her, I would be tired too! We met Pepsi's "wife" along the hills and she blew her trunk to make that trumpet sound - so awesome!!
I hope everyone is able to do this once in their life and at a place that is humane! It's given me a whole different perspective.
Our last dinner was at their intimate Italian restaurant. Every dish was amaaaazing. Bruschetta, pumpkin soup, margherita pizza, black truffle pasta made in a parmesan wheel and then we ordered 3 desserts. Yep 3 - hey it's all inclusive! Of course mango sticky rice was one of the three :)
Every morning at 8:30am they bring a baby elephant (well baby meaning 6 years old) to breakfast for the guests to feed! Am, the elephant, came one morning and we were able to feed her bananas. She looooved them - stuffed her mouth with as many as she could! It was so fun to get one more dose of an elephant!
Here are lots of pictures - Enjoy!!
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| Mojito complete with a cute littol stirrer! |
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| Three countries in one photo! |
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