Elephant Ride

On the island of Phuket, we drove to the jungle and embarked on a great adventure, an elephant ride! Eric took Shannon and Taylor on Henna and Erika and I rode Fanta. It was definitely nothing like anything we imagined. We were wayyyyyy off the ground! The experience gave new understanding to the word "lumbering" through the jungle. An elephant doesn't just walk, its whole body sways with each step it takes, and so do the riders! There were moments where we held on for dear life. We seriously thought we were going over the side, especially when she walked up and down a very steep incline. The skin was unexpectedly hair and very thick and rough. We walked through a rubber tree grove. We saw how they drain the rubber from the trees and even got to feel the dried sap. It was just like a rubber band! The young men driving the elephant took leaves and during the ride wove beautiful treasures for us, a bird and a grasshopper. We really enjoyed this "once in a lifetime" experience!