We had decided a long time ago that we were gong to ride elephants. So during our stay in South East Asia, we constantly kept an eye out for possible rides. Eventually, in Laos, we decided to go and pay for some rides. In Luang Prabang, the town where we got the elephants, we met a fellow traveling family from Breckenridge, Colorado. We stayed in places across the street from each other, and did pretty much everything together.
Later, we jumped in a minivan (One of the most common types of transport) with them and drove through the county side to an area of elephant pens, where the creatures in question milled about and gnashed on greens.
To mount the animals, we climbed up onto a high platform, and the elephants walked alongside it. Then it was a simple matter of stepping onto them. We positioned ourselves in the saddles and (after a short stop to let them eat) the Elephants took off. They swayed back and forth, kind of like a camel.
We entered the forest and noticed at the elephants would even eat large branches. They had really giant teeth. Later on our voyage, the guide let me sit in front, on the elephant’s neck. It was horrendously uncomfortable, as the elephant had tough, abrasive hairs, (And I was wearing shorts) which rubbed against my legs the entire time.
We continued, and the Elephants got into some water, where ours thankfully took a bath, spraying me in the process. Once the guide figured out I was okay with this, he asked the elephant to spray again and again and again.
I got soaked.
Later, I hopped back on the saddle, which was suddenly immensely comfortable.
Later that day, with the family from Breckenridge, we went over to a waterfall via Tuk-Tuk. We went there once before, and swam in the refreshingly cool pools (It’s very hot in Laos, hard as it is to believe). The pools were placed consecutively, all murky and great areas to swim.
There was also a rope swing, which we made good use of the second time around. We also had a great, exhausting time trying to swim against the waterfall’s current and make it to the waterfall itself, where we would grab on to the rocks, and try and maintain the grip during the great cascade of water.
The rope swing
It was a very fun, and equally exhausting day.
-Bjorn
long4adventure