Through our friend Li Li Tan we were kindly offered free entry to The Maeteman Elephant Park, close to Mae Tang.
So this Sunday the children of Stratton House were treated to a special trip out.
Our friend Ally arrived bright and early at 7.30am and supplied transport to both Li Li and our volunteer Eunjey.
The children were all up, fed and ready and along with my Mother we headed off in the Foundation song toaw.
Arriving at the Elephant park at 9.30 we were met by Khun Air who was our host for the day.
First off we were directed to the boarding platform for Elephant rides. It was a gentle ride as the huge beasts strolled down to the river, wading through the fast running waters and back up into the park a little further down stream. The official rides for tourist visitors are much longer, taking you up through the forests on the otherside of the river.
On our return we went to join other visitors waiting for the ‘show’.
From the wooden terrace the children sat and watched as several elephants performed various activities including playing football, golf, and the grand finale of showing off their artistic skills painting pictures.
After the show all our children got a much closer experience as the elephants came to meet the people. The kids fed them sugar cane, petted them and some were brave enough to be lifted up by the elephants and sit on their trunks.
We then took a gentle walk around, visiting the new born baby enclosures and generally enjoying the natural ambience of the park before taking lunch.
Lunch was buffet style with lots of great food on offer and the children really enjoyed it.
All the children and staff from The Stratton ABC Foundation would like to say a big thanks to Maeteman Elephant Park, Khun Anchalee and Khun Air for giving such a great day.
