Sara's dream comes true!! We may have a new life calling!

A lifelong dream could not have gone ANY better! There are many places to see the elephants, ride the elephants, etc, but we went to a place called Patera Elephant Rescue where you actually get to be a trainer for the whole day! This is the most ecologically sound tourist experience we have ever had! There is little to no impact in every way and the whole purpose there is to teach people about these glorious animals and help to raise their numbers by mating them! We were picked up early in the morning, there were only 2 other couples with us for the day, they were lovely. When you arrive at Patera, there is a feeling of stepping into a whole new world. It is breathtaking, every moment is a new picture that you want to take, engrain, and enjoy. The trees are bigger, more colorful, the sounds unusual and beautiful, and you just feel at peace. And then, you look in the not too far distance and there are 26 giant Asian elephants staring back at you! They are breathtaking and unbelievably calm. We first put on our trainer outfits and were told how you can tell if a) the elephant is in a good mood and b)if the elephant likes you! If your elephant doesn't respond to you, or like you, you cannot be their trainer!!! Very smart and picky!!! So we suited up and then were assigned our elephants for the day and also a mahoot (a trainer). We checked the elephants to make sure they were healthy, we bonded, we fed them, and then off to the river for a bath! After the baths, we learned how to mount them (very ungraceful by the way) and we began to ride our elephants BAREBACK through the jungle mountains in Chiang Mai. And the hills were VERY steep! But these majestic, gigantic packaderms were incredibly sure footed and steady. It was truly spectacular every step of the way. Peter, of course, was assigned an elephant that was ALWAYS eating!!! He was in the back of the line because she just wanted to eat the whole time. Sara's elephant was the oldest, at 28 and was gentle and sweet.
We then made it to the waterfalls where the elephants drank and rested, while we cued the rain, got under a bamboo awning and had a delicious lunch overlooking our elephants and the water!
After lunch, we swam with them! Well, mostly rolled around on top of them and tried not to get smushed.

We rode back to camp, and gave them a bit of a break to refuel and rest. And this is when we got to meet the TWIN baby elephants!!!!!!! Cute isn't even close to what these little guys were. You can see in the video, they really like to eat and we had the best time with them!

Then, back on the elephants, but this time tandem style!!! A little weird at first because Sara always felt like she was going to fall off, but Peter, the steady husband kept everyone safe. We rode through beautiful countryside in a river, which is basically like a foot massage for the elephants! And finally we said goodbye!

Sara has had the day she always hoped and it exceeded any and all expectations that were ever had. This trip, in the 4 days so far is nothing short of life changing. The people, the nature, the elephants, the experience are all inspiring.

We have just checked in to a total oasis high up in the Chiang Mai mountains called Panviman (you can see it online). We have a private, cliffside pool outside our room and feel like we have begun a new life of royalty! Peter is currently swimming and will not leave the pool!!! Will post pics and more later.

We love you all...
elephant dreams.....check!

s+p