Elephant village sanctuary by Emma

Today we went to elephant village sanctuary to ride and meet some elephants. My elephants's name was Ozzie. Our guide told us all about the camp; the elephants used to get hit, and have to work long hours getting logs in the jungle, with hardly any food or drink. One of them was worked so hard she broke her back, and because she didn't want to work anymore, they ripped off  part of her ear. people don't ride this elephant because it would be very painful for her back. Now they get well looked after with plenty to eat and drink.

So we got on the back of our elephant ( I had to go with a German couple otherwise we would have had to wait a long time as one of the elephants was sick; I didn't mind though as they were very nice).

We sat in a special chair called a howdah to start with, but then I was allowed to sit on Ozzie's neck for the rest of the ride. It might sound cruel, but they have very thick skin so they don't feel anything. It was a bit wobbly, but I managed to stay on.

When we got off, we got on a boat to see a baby elephant called Maxi and his mother. They are kept separate from the others because some of the other females might get jealous and get into a fight. Max kept coming over to me and pushing me, trying to play.

Remember what I said about a fight? When it was time to go back in the boat, another elephant came along with a couple of tourists on its back. Maxi went over to it and it started getting hectic. The other elephant started to trumpet and Maxi's mum came over to protect Maxi. It took 3 mahouts (elephant riders) to separate Maxi and his mother from the other elephant. Maxi was only trying to play, but he didn't realise it was so dangerous. We moved right out of the way when this was happening. After that we jumped back in the boat to go to  a cool  waterfall called 'Tad Sae' . we stepped in the water, and had a swim. it was epic!!

Next we went back to the camp to have lunch. Before we left, we fed the elephants bananas and pineapple tree leaves.

 I think Maxi is the most adorable elephant ever!!