Our last Day in Thailand--- elephant Riding

Our Thailand trip was coming to the end and I think we saved the best for last.  ELEPHANT RIDING!  It was amazing.  When we first arrived we fed the elephants bananas--- the elephants wanted to eat anything and everything we had (including going after our cameras/phones)

We were then given our sweet outfits to wear for the day.  Most of us got regular elastic pants but my Dad and Diane got these funky tie Thai pants.... Diane and one little mishap where it came untied and the pants fell to the ground.  she was a good sport. haha. 

Next we went and learned some information about elephants.  It was really interesting to learn about the difference between these elephants and Africa elephants. We also learned that it was not good for the elephants to have the baskets on their back and to ride them with those.  It is hard on them and abusive. This place we went to was all about making sure their elephants were properly cared for.  We also learned some basic words to help us command the elephants.    

After our little lesson we hiked up a hill to go meet the elephants and start our ride.
Here are Erin and I on our way up. The views were gorgeous.

On to the riding... We had a little lesson where each of us were able to get on and then do basic forward back an then get down. I was the first one to go and YES I was nervous.  Elephants were big and not super comfortable at first.  

This picture was if me trying to hold on to his ears and then wrap my legs around his trunk.  One of the workers did it and I thought I would be able to but it did not happen. :) I am not strong enough and dont have a good enough grip.

And we are off!! Our elephant in the beginning was so so so so so slow.  It did not want to go.  The three elephants in front of us were way ahead of us--- and I felt bad for the three elephants behind us because they wanted to pass us.  The only time that our elephant would pick up speed was when one of the elephants would try to pass-- he would not let them. It was pretty funny.  

I was on the front most of the time.  Once you figured out where the most comfortable spot to sit was it really wasnt too bad... and really cool to be riding bare back.

Half way through we stopped for lunch that the Thai people prepared for us.  

After lunch, we got back on the elephants. This time Adam tried the front. I must say that the back was more uncomfortable than the front.  

We are riding them down to the river to give them a bath.  At this point our elephant started to go so fast.  I think he must have been tired and hot and just wanted to get there.  He was the first one down into the river!

Here we are going into the river.  Pretty much at this moment we saw one of the little elephants that was already in the water do a big poop! Yay. we get to swim and clean elephants in their nasty poop filled water.  I just had to not think about that. haha. 

The elephants waded all the way into the water and we were supposed to get off as soon as they were in.  It was cold.  No onto the cleaning(or more like just playing and splashing water on them).

This part was actually really neat!

The elephants had some fun and liked to squirt us.... Adam trying to get out of the way.

Put the elephant got him good.  

The elephant tried to get me, I ran trying to avoid it and instead slipped and fell in the water... Don't think it was any better of an option! 

We then had to do some silly poses on the elephants.

We ended our cleaning session with big slobbery kisses from the elephant. 

I was too excited about it. 

Adam seemed to enjoy it a bit more.

 We then got to ride our elephants back--- I got on the front again!

 We had a fabulous and incredible experience.
After our day of riding elephants we headed back to our hotel... explored a little bit more, ate one more banana rotee, and then Adam and I had to head to the airport. We flew to Bangkok and stayed our last night there and then headed back to the states early the next morning.

 Our last taxi ride-- heading to the airport!  This trip was amazing and so nice to be able to get away without the kids and to spend some quality time with Adam!  We loved it all and would recommend Thailand to anyone!