2 weeks!

It’s been officially two weeks since I’ve left home. Yay to the longest I’ve travelled alone! The record was in 2013 when I went to Langkawi for 6D5N. That was pretty lonely.

I’m almost ending Day 4 of volunteering at Thom’s Elephant Camp (I’ve been here for 5 days but the first day doesn’t count).

Front of the camp! The elephant’s called Tut Dao.

I’m pretty exhausted right now, reason being is we have to be up by 6am everyday to bring the elephants from the mountains to the camp, so I’ll make this short and sweet hopefully. I just wna pen down what I’ve done so I don’t forget.

17 May, Sunday – didn’t bring any elephants down but instead went to build a shelter for the male elephant (Tuey). Used bamboo and black plastic sheet to create it. The sun was getting pretty hot so we stopped after sewing and tying the canvas to the bamboo.

Went on three one-hour tour, lugged food for Tuey, shovelled poo, cleaned stalls, and walked them back to the mountains.

My first day was pretty amazing cause of all the work I was doing and I ended the day with quality spent in the hot tubs! The water’s straight from the hot springs; so relaxing.

There were two other German tourists there so six of us were hanging out.

18 May – brought Ot from the mountains in the morning. I was asked to ride her and I was pretty scared! My left leg was trembling cause of my fear of heights and fear for losing my slippers. I was holding onto the rope for my dear life. But I was okay… after a while.

Did the usual – shovel poo, feed Tuey, interact with customers, and went to town!

When I went to town I felt like I was a prisoner back to civilisation. I was so happy getting necessities and food!

After that I had my first experience cutting grass. The land out there is so beautiful. The Germans went along to help us cut grass since it was their second last day.

I think I’m gna skip yesterday and go straight to today. Desperately need to sleep soon. Glad it’s my turn to be up at 7.30am though.

Went to pick Ot today and I helped remove the chains. Followed the two hours tour, helped retrieve bamboo poles to rebuild a bamboo raft.

Two of the staff were so sweet! They asked if I like spicy food and papaya salad and I said yes. Then they said that they would take me out for dinner. I WAS SO TOUCHED.

Sadly the papaya salad place was closed so we settled for some noodles and chicken rice. Good enough for me! They bought me dinner. I’m really feeling like, awww. Apparently we will go for papaya salad and mookata before I leave!