admin

Elephant park day two

We awoke to elephants and dogs making noises because they know they will be fed soon.

After breakfast, we loaded packs with watermelon and banana to walk to the outer area where the family we are to feed is.

Once we arrived it was time to feed.

Here is a video of feeding the elephants :

We then learned about how they are working to stop local parks from bad practices. They bring in their own people for free and set up a program to show how they can make money and be humane to elephants. After the owners see a different way they look at the animals differently. Slowly they are making progress. It is easy to tell when an elephant is happy. Their tail moves from side to side and their ears flap.

Our tour guide was Apple. She said there are also 600 dogs and 400 cats here.

She explained how animal herds get along and their mannerisms. They are amazing animals. They are like every other mammal species. You have the trouble makers and those who just don’t get along. You also have those that want to help each other and be a friend.

We also watched a vet administer medicine to an injured one. He stepped on a landmine and the wound needs cleaned twice a day.

The mahout teaches her how to put the foot up. The reward is food. You can tell it still hurts and it has been 20 years.

The mahout is chosen by the elephant and gains its trust and can sense love. No one is assigned an elephant. There are 7 mahouts for the family we fed. Since an elephant eats 10% of its body weight, it eats 18 hours a day. Food has to be delivered overnight and they light fires to keep the older ones warm at night. Sometimes they must see the elephant every 2 to 3 hours. They do care for the elephants who chose them as a mahout. They are carrying, patient, and steady.

This was an amazing visit. A great relaxing way to start vacation!

Elephant sanctuary day 1

After not even being in Chiang Mai for 12 hours, I woke up at the Thana hotel and had a great breakfast before packing to leave on a tour.

I met 3 great ladies and we talked about trip plans and what they have already seen. It turns out I had planned to go to the same park that two of them had been to.

Not all elephant parks are the same. Many let you ride the elephant and are not interested in rescuing. If you choose to go to one, choose one that is responsible. Elephant nature park is amazing. They have parks in more than one country. They also try to change current park practices helping them change to a better place for elephants through partnerships.

We started out the tour in the van watching a video of what to do /not do when we arrive. This was followed with how elephants have been used in the past and is a very sad history. From circus to logging to peddling on the streets and for riding… All elephants start out the same way. Babies are taken and the adults harmed. They are tied up between trees without being able to move and denied food and water. After they are submissive they walk in circles around trees while being tied tightly to only allow one type of movement. They are considered broken when they follow a simple command. They suffer physical and psychological abuse.

The park has about 80 elephants. Only a few were born here… The rest were rescued. The oldest is 90!

We started out feeding the elephants. For the first day we stand on a platform and with the exception of feeding the baby we stay behind a line and let the elephants take food from our hands in their trunk. The snack is bananas, watermelon, and squash.

Afterwards there is a little time to look at the many cats and dogs that are also found here. They are rescues as well. All are neutered which is good. There is a cat area:

There are also dogs who are in very large kennels to run while many must roam free (trouble makers or those with severe emotional scars are keto separated).

Lunch was completely vegetarian. Amazing food.

After lunch we visited all of the elephant families. There are a few where they have a normal structure. Bulls are kept separate. There are many groups of elephants that have serious handicaps. Many are blind from cataracts or being shot in the eye with a slingshot (it is a common way to keep them in line in captivity but often time they miss and hit the eye.) There are a few that stepped on land mines and have serious injuries. Others have broken legs that never healed properly when in captivity. Many have found another elephant they bonded with and are kept together to be sure they get adequate food. Being all together would be difficult to ensure safety and adequate food.

Every group of elephant has two people that they have learned to trust. This people are in charge of them, making sure they get what they need and picking up cues from them. Such large animals can easily do harm unintentionally when spooked.

https://youtu.be/xQKU0FdGRLk

They have quite the set up here. They also rescue water buffalo, cows, and horses… I even saw an alpine goat!

The amount of food they go through is impressive. Must are locally sourced but the demand is too much for just the locals. Some elephants cannot suggest a well or have lost teeth. They get did that is chopped up or peeled.

There are large pens where they stay at night. Not only are they safe but they get fed through the night. Elephants feed constantly and don’t need much sleep. My bungalow is right near the pens and I am writing this post listening to their noises and trumpeting!

The sand mounds are to help older elephants get up and is better for their skin.

There is a pool for the elephants to use as well as many ponds.

https://youtu.be/M9aA8ewySEs

We were able to touch an elephant. Usually we are only to do so when we are feeding.

We were able to see them in a natural a habitat as possible and are guide was invaluable in telling us how they truly live. These were taking a dust and mud bath.

https://youtu.be/tintQz2Dd5A

https://youtu.be/z5x_DSsupuY

Finally, we met the elephant family we will walk with and feed tomorrow. This first one was so traumatized psychologically that she cannot be in the company of others. The park purchased adjacent land for her to live. She walk separately from the others.

Then came the family. Whatever the baby decides the rest follows. That includes walking in the water or the path they take. As much as we would like to walk with the baby tomorrow, we won’t. Families are protective of the young ones. This baby is 8!

It is now the end of the day. After a massage and good dinner, time to wrap this up. The bed has mosquito netting so we can hear the elephants at night!

Breakfast is at 7 and a walk with the elephant family is at 7:30! Our house dig is outside and will be happy to see our group tomorrow!

Chinese new year

At school we had Chinese new year celebrations before dismissal.

The Chinese lion:

There were activities with painting, making Chinese crafts and more.

Around our area crews were planting different flowers and shrubs as sprinf is coming. Decorations are also going up for new years celebrations for the year of the pig.

Between vacations… Or a vacation break?

After Christmas break we were back in school for 3 weeks. With such a short time, it s crazy trying to get teaching, IB labs, formatives/summatives in begore our next big break : Chinese new year. I will have to stay here one time just to participate in the celebrations. But this year I will split my time between Thailand and Laos.

My friend Daniel came to visit and we were able to find some of the markets I had wanted to find. The qingping markets are on sets of streets and are a great way to find bargains.

Yes. Those are scorpions. Below is alligator legs. We saw pretty much everything out in the market.

Dried mushrooms, herbs, and teas. I also loved the area around apartments and the buildings.

The signs were especially interesting here in China :

I also participated in a hike on Baiyun mountain with my friend Nicole with a K2Fit event. It was off the beaten path and had some really tough vertical walks. But it was beautiful.

Best of all is the new food places I am finding. Noodle soups are still the best.

I also finally ate at traveler kitchen that I had passed many times and never stopped at. Exceptional food.

A great way to start vacation!

New years eve

It is already the first here in China. We had a more relaxed day planned for the last day Becca and Ryan were here. Becca liked the work of the tattoo artist for our family tattoos and decided to get her other one she was thinking about. The first is also a bit less here for the same quality work.

We started out the day with the last run before Becca leaves. We ran a little over 4 miles on Ershadao. I’ll miss my running buddy.

After the run, we made breakfast here in my apartment. I made Vietnamese egg coffee, one of my favorite. I have to confess that I was supposed to become an expert in making the drink before becca and Ryan arrived but I kept putting it off. It is my first year of teaching again. Here is our breakfast. Egg coffee, sweet potato hash and an omelet.

Egg coffee originated when milk was scarce in Vietnam and whipped eggs were used as a substitute. Now the drink is made with sweetened condensed milk and eggs white into a froth and piled on top. I bought Vietnamese coffee when I visited in October. To date it is my favorite place for food.

Back to the story. The best part is that our favorite restaurant is in the Buddha temple in Beijing lu and it is not far from the tattoo parlor.

We had more great dishes for lunch that day. It will take some time to work through that menu.

Dumplings with a mushroom filling.

Baked squash with filling, what we thought was fried tofu but think it was taro, and a yummy dish made with coconut milk.

After lunch, I walked around the other side of the temple.

I have heard “welcome to China” often, especially with head scratching events. Such as driving your car onto the sidewalk then yelling at the pedestrians in your way. It sits not happen often but entertaining when it does.

Afterwards we came back to the apartment to relax before going to the Mexican restaurant for dinner. We tried to stay awake for the new year, but needed to get up early to get to the airport. I actually woke up 8 minutes before midnight and because it was cold, stayed under the covers. I thought I would get up to see if there was a light display. I feel back asleep and awoke at 12:30. Oh well, no one seemed concerned of missing out.

Family tattoo

Some time ago I wanted to get a simple tattoo like bamboo.

Even though Rebecca and I got matching tattoos (infinity symbol with the word “run”) before I left the states, I promised Ryan I would get one with him too.

I wanted something that would remind me of China and not just that I got a tattoo here. I like my Chinese character as I was born in the year of the dragon so it seemed fitting to get our respective animals. Ryan would get the dog and Becca the goat.

Ryan was not keen on that. Instead we decided on a minimalist bamboo design which is pretty much my style anyway.

One of my colleagues knows a person who had a tattoo here and swears by this shop. I love we chat. You can send your designs to them, give earnest money, etc. They were located in an area we had explored just a few days before.

They were very professional and are lot of fun. They had 3 people available to work on us at the same time so took very little time overall.

Here is the end result:

They also made a little video during the session.

https://youtu.be/yRzm_rjVFGY

They were a lot of fun and with some broken English, use of a translator app, and expressions made for a very fun afternoon.

Their we chat id is: wenyifantattoo-3

Instagram: acantattoo

Baiyun mountain

We started the day hiking up Baiyun mountain. It means White Cloud Mountain and is also the “lungs of Guangzhou”.

We have been taking the metro so often and in directions I have not previously gone that I am becoming much better at getting around the city. I also greatly appreciate how the metro is laid out in this city. It is done well.

The west entrance to Baiyun.

These flowers remind me the flowers from the Lorax.

The climb up.

The weather this morning is cooler with some rain. The fog has not burned off as of yet.

At Shanding square below the summit there was entertainment and a TV crew. We watched for a few minutes. The music and dancing was wonderful to listen watch.

At the Square we took in the views.

At the west gate of the mountain.

Lots of walking these last few days but it has been great fun exploring areas around Guangzhou with Becca and Ryan.

Botanical Garden, South China

Even though it is almost winter, we decided to go to the botanical gardens anyway.

The place is beautiful even without everything in full bloom. We started at the Palm garden.

We followed some trails then went to the bamboo garden.

It is great to see Darwin revered here. The are statues of him also in science city where I work.

The bromeliad garden.

I just loved how vines were wrapping around the trees.

These trees are striking with their white trunks.

The medicinal herb garden was interesting with all of the species that are on display.

Near the ginger garden.

It is getting cooler today. Poor butterfly.

At the Neolithic garden.

Along the water with the water plants.

Though not everything is blooming it was still a great time to enjoy nature and get a break from the city

Ancient Whampoa Anchorage

Shiji Village, Bazhou Street, Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China

We took the metro and walked some distance to this village. Becca, Ryan, and I were searching for souvenirs and street food for lunch.

Ryan tried vegetarian steamed buns and flatbread. We also bought candied ginger, sesame candies, dried sweet potato, dried mango, and dried figs. At one of the restaurants, we ordered a veggie dish (fried morning glory? Or some variety of spinach) and stir fried squid with vegetables. Yummy.

This place is getting more commercial but you can still find residents who sell their wares on the street.

Mall of the world, Tianhe

After exploring, we walked up from the Zhujiang River to the mall of the world. We walked around Parc Central. This place is the epitome of consumerism and is one large underground mall for miles extending to the buildings on both sides for several floors up in each.