Mahout training day

Mahout means elephant trainer in Thai. As the name says we spent the day learning how to control an elephant. At first we just threw bananas in their mouths and made them to tricks but we ended up trekking and going to a waterfall to play with the elephants.

They all wanted to have the bananas except for the old one.

This was one of their favorite tricks. We would say " APPA" then the elephants would open  their mouths and you walked up and popped a banana into the mouth.

This was Ora giving me a kiss.( only for the bananas)

My dad riding and controlling the elephant bareback (on the elephant for his first time).

We all took turns guiding them in a circle before we went on our trek.

You don't realize how big they are until you  see somebody walking beside them.

FAMILY PHOTO!

My  brother and I on our elephant who decided to bring her little brother, Pet.

Little Pet and his sister rolling around in the waterfall.

My brother and I washing the laying down elephant.

Ok, we're not working that hard...

When we arrived all the elephants wanted a good scrubbing.

Our Mahout group for the day.  There were two other really nice tourists with us. From the Netherlands.

Ora was a little too "kissy".