Elephants and Tigers, Oh My!

During our trip to Thailand, I was able to cross two items off my bucket list!  I was able to ride two elephants and play with tigers.  It was a dream come true.  Our first experience with elephants was an impromptu one.  We were riding from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok with our friend Ron.  He asked if we had seen elephants yet and I said nope.  He said that we were going to pass the Thai Elephant Conservation Center if we would like to stop.  Even if riding an elephant isn't on your bucket list, how could you pass up this experience?  So, of course, we stopped.
At the Conservation Center not only were able to take a short ride on an elephant but we were also able to see two baby elephants and feed them along with their mothers.

This elephant has a hurt foot.  This is the hospital portion of the conservation center.

This baby is still too young to eat bananas and sugar cane.  She is still only on momma's milk.

This guy is a bit older and loves bananas!

Our elephant is 36.  She was a gentle animal!

Our next animal adventure was the Tiger Temple.  What I was looking forward to the most here was feeding the baby tigers.  When we first arrived at the temple early in the morning, it was time to present alms giving to the monks who live at the temple.  As a woman, I'm not allowed to touch a monk or his bowl.  So, when I presented the food, I had to be very careful not to touch.

After this we fed the baby tigers.  They ranged in age from 4-8 weeks.

Then we got to meet a few more.  Many of them are in a milk coma!

Then, it was time for walk.

Followed by bath time

And a snack

Now it was time to play in the exercise yard with the bigger tigers

Followed by another walk but this time with a really big tiger

Then pictures with the big tiger.

Then it was playtime for the big tigers.

It was an amazing experience.  We had a few rules to follow with the tigers and their handlers were with us the entire time.  The most important rule was to stay behind the shoulder blades of the tiger.  That rule even goes for the little one we were bathing.
Now onto more elephant time.  After the tigers, we went to another elephant camp.  We were introduced to Full Moon.  She is a 42 year old elephant and a dream come true.  Her favorite snack is corn and she loves to play in the water.  We were able to ride Full Moon bareback and give her a bath.  We also had water fights with her.  She won!

Stay tuned for more temples and beaches.  Until next time.