Thailand Trip - 2018 - Day 7

Well after the delights of Bangla Road and downtown Patong Beach last night we were both feeling a bit on the tired and delicate side this morning.  I swear we are too old for this sh*t now.

We made it to breakfast (just) and I loaded up on bacon, eggs, noodles with veg, stir fried rice and whatever goodness I could get my hands on.

Then we were back to the room where Steve snoozed and I went to the balcony to read my book in the warmth (the room has the AC on - all the time).  We then got ourselves ready for our afternoon out at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.  

The aim of the Sanctuary is to re-home, in a more natural environment, rescue elephants from the tourist and logging trade.  While we have been here we have seen adverts for elephant trekking and passed some of the places where those poor animals are kept.  It sickens me when I see tourists on them and I wish that people from the west, who should know better, would not spend money on it - if there was no demand, then there would be no need to make the supply.  

On the whole this sanctuary felt like a good place - there was just one bit at the end when the keepers (there is a keeper to each elephant) would lead the elephants into the lagoon for a play in the water.  It felt like the elephant didn't really want to go and while there was no forcing they were being encouraged and it felt like this was for our benefit as tourists.  I have no doubt that these animals have a better life now than they did and the keeper to elephant relationship seems special - especially for one called Gaew Ta - which means Darling - who was blind in both eyes so while she uses her trunk to feel her way around, the keeper that works with her is also helping her.

It was an enjoyable and educational afternoon.  They are such wonderful creatures and I only hope they can continue to rescue many many more of the animals - until one day when hopefully the tourist trade for these animals as entertainment or riding stops altogether.

In the evening we had a walk down to the town and ate some dinner - with diet coke this time.  We then took a longer walk around to get back home - needed to work off the vast amounts of delicious food we are consuming.