Riding Elephants with Ryan
Riding, cleaning and feeding the elephants in Thailand was an experience I’ll never forget. We started by listening to one of the workers there give us a quick (10 minute) talk about safety, like not standing behind an elephant when it is unaware of your presence. We also talked about facts, and how the number of elephants in Thailand is skyrocketing (or should I say ground rocketing) downwards. There were over 100,000 elephants in Thailand a couple of years ago, but now there are only 3000 left! After the quick talk we had about the elephants,… Read More
Danny and Mecan
Patara is a nice place where the people give you lessons on how to treat, and take care, and ride elephants. For the day, you get your own personal elephant to bathe, ride, and feed. My elephant was called Mecan, and the way I remember Mecan, is the word mechanical. In the first 20 minutes, you feed your elephant bananas and sugar cane. When you wanted them to open their mouths, you would say: “Bone”. And if they obey, and eat what you give them, you say: “Dee dee”. Deedee means… Read More
Bangkok by Ryan
Bangkok, which was originally called Bang Makok, means “City of the Wild Plum”. Why is it called that? I don’t know, but if by “plum” they mean traffic, than the name would make a lot of sense, because Bangkok is a city of wild traffic. Just like in Indonesia, scooters weave in and out of the smallest gaps in cars, and they’re either really lucky or really good at driving the scooters, because I haven’t seen any crashes so far. Maybe it’s a bit of both. Trying to cross the street? You… Read More
Day 278: Elephant Nature Park
Our experience at Elephant Nature Park was also really nice, but a lot less hands on. Most of the elephants here have a history of abuse, exploitations, and neglect. It was sad to see the many injuries and even blindness caused by man, but it was also encouraging to know that there are people who care enough to help make it right. At Elephant Nature Park, you will not ride the elephants, but you will learn about them, feed them, and watch a video that teaches you about the abuse they experience… Read More
Socializing with Thai Elephants
In Chiang Mai, my family and I visited two elephant organizations. It was our first time actually getting to interact with elephants…and it was pretty amazing! The first place we went to was at Elephant Nature Park where they took care of abused elephants. Many people have abused their power over the animals and have taken it way too far, leaving the elephants wounded, severely scarred, and damaged for life. The owner of this organization is an incredibly sweet lady who has taken in these poor elephants and mended them with her… Read More
Day 275: Playing with Elephants – Patara
I never knew how much I would love elephants until Ryan and I went on safari in East Africa about two years ago. It was there that I discovered how special they were. They are powerful yet gentle, large, loving, and protective. Just watch them when they think their babies are being threatened and you’ll see what I mean! Babies: We met two newborns, just a few months old. The male was quite aggressive while the female was docile and sweet. It was amazing to see the difference in their personalities at… Read More
Bangkok Mikayla
Bangkok (the meaning of Bangkok is “Village of the Wild Plum”) is the center of nearly everything: of power, education, commerce, communication, and fun. It is said, both metaphorically and literally, that all roads (in Thailand) lead to Bangkok. Originally, Ayutthaya was the Thai capital. After 400 years of ruling there, it was destroyed in 1767. Next, the capital was moved to Thonburi, but in 1782, King Rama I decided to move it to Bangkok, which was, at that time, only a small trading port. He felt that this area had the… Read More
Day 261: Noah and Ruth Plus 42
Ryan, the kids, and I had the incredible opportunity to meet a very special man, Noah, and his wife Ruth while visiting Myanmar/Burma. Noah and Ruth have three children of their own. They live in a very modest, one level home just 15 minutes from the border of Thailand, in Myanmar/Burma. We were able to walk across the border between Thailand and Burma, where we met Noah, hopped into an open air taxi, and headed to his home. So…what is special about this couple? At the moment, they actually have 42 children living with… Read More
Danny’s Indonesia
Traffic Indonesia is a great place with lots of street food, cool malls with roller coasters in them, temples (which I don’t fancy), and markets. Waiting to cross streets is also very frustrating because so many motorcycles are in Indonesia that every second of the day, they will be riding on the road while they can. Some people try and fit four motorcycles in one car lane and some riders also put six people on one motorcycle! Traffic is the most challenging thing that could ever happen when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere while… Read More
Deena Gainor
Six Hearts One Journey 
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