Elephant Encounter: Krabi

Elephants are truly magnificent creatures, both giant and graceful. Seeing them up close is always an unforgettable experience, but getting to interact with them is even more special. It kind of blew my mind a bit driving through Thailand and seeing Elephants randomly walking about in the countryside. Not a sight I grew up seeing.

While in Krabi, my friend found a nearby elephant sanctuary where they cared for 5 elephants of different backgrounds and ages. Once we arrived, the staff informed us about the different types of elephants and the history of their use in Thailand over the centuries in forests, wars, and how they are cared for today. They showed us how to approach them and we were able to give the elephants bananas and sugarcane. Afterward, we made snacks out of bananas and seeds and a mixture of other things before they went out and wandered into a mud hole. The elephants sprayed themselves and rolled around a bit and then people could come up and smear more mud on the elephants. Once elephants and people were all covered in the brown mixture everyone headed to a watering hole and wash off. Where buckets of water were playfully thrown on each other and elephants sprayed water into the air. 

Once everyone was cleaned up, we were provided with fruit, and the staff talked more about elephant life. The whole experience was a highlight of the trip, and it was amazing to see firsthand how gentle these giants are.