Phuket Thailand - Elephant Rides

Nothing more cultural in Thailand than an elephant ride.  So ... here is a lifting-the-trunk salute from the elephant that Kristin and Emily rode.  On Monday (Emily's 8th birthday), we headed for Siam Safari for elephant fun.  We spent about 40 minutes on the elephant, and then more time interacting with our elephants, including two baby elephants.  A pretty cool experience for all of us.

The family photo, with Kristin and Emily's elephant!

All of us during the ride!

The group of elephants waiting for their passengers.  The Mahut's (the elephant trainers / guides) spend most of their life with one elephant and have an incredible bond. 

Riding pictures ... notice all the smiles.  Kristin and Emily with TimLin (the elephant) and Thor (the Mahut).

Our elephant was BoBo.  Since he kept getting passed by other elephants (usually by Timlim), Jenna was frequently yelling "faster Bobo, faster". 

Kristin and her elephant being crazy.  She sure had a crazy personality ... which increased the fun that Kristin and Emily had with her.

Baby elephants!!!  Jenna and Addlea with a 3 year old elephant.

The elephant on the left was 8, just like Emily.  Our first try at a picture had the 3 year old elephant tapping me on the shoulder and trying to eat the flower Emily was holding.  Picture #2 below went better.

Oh yes ... and spiders.  BIG SPIDERS.  These spiders were all along the trail, and one of Mahuts (Thor) took it off the web to show Kristin and Emily.  He said it wasn't poisonous, just BIG.  There were a few screams as he showed it around. 

Bye Bye from Timlim!!!!