WOW WOW WOW. I have followed Elephantstay for a decade from Alice Springs with the intention of going, then came covid, a career change and then TWINS!! Not mine, elephant twins! and I being a fraternal twin, fell deeply. ||||So before they got too big I decided it was time.||||I was a sole Elephantstay visitor and felt fortunate to have a one on one experience with everyone 😁||||First days were quiet as I got the feel for my environment, the elephants and being in a foreign country again after a decade. ||||I rate my stay and experience 11/10. Not only was it firstly - friendly, it was educative and understanding of peoples inexperience and limited understanding, of a culture that has had a working relationship with elephants for 5000 years. ||||If there was something I saw and didn't like or understand then I was encouraged to ask questions before judging. I did ask questions because I was interested, intrigued and in my element, the element of new experience, which was wonderful, elephantastic infact!||||Having travelled to Thailand before and having lived with the Central Australian indigenous population and having friends whose livelihoods involved livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep and camels. I had a foundational understanding of a different culture and working with animals. So I repectfully absorbed what was happening around me. ||||Having come from a nursing back ground I was very impressed with the level of care and cleanliness that the elephants reside in. Gobsmacked at the amount of food that is required, obtained and supplied. Embracing the unique opportunity to feed the elephants healthy snacks which could be purchased on site. ||||Watching the day to day activities that go on was interesting. Mahouts readying their mounts to go off to feed, bathe and work. A symbiotic relationship that reflected both getting on harmoniously with their activities of daily living.||||Being as close to an elephant as I'd ever been before was a very humbling experience. The sheer size and beauty of this majestic creature. Who was for the most part, like any animal, disinterested in me when I was not the bearer of food 😂.||||Jumpee, Yitor, Soy, Honey, Rasamee and (dang, I've forgotten her name, that makes me feel a little deflated) are beautiful creatures and it's difficult not to want to interact with all of them, however there are rules of interaction based on safety of the human and safety of the elephant and having respect for all I was happy to conform. ||||What wonder humans are Ewa, Michelle and Lexi, who I had the most to do with being that they co ordinate the Elephantstay and programme. The programme is simple, easy and flexible if you want to do something else in Ayutthaya or just have a rest. ||||I had the good fortune to meet some of the wonderful Thai people who are a part of the Elephant Kraal, it takes a community!!||||Do yourself a favour, go and have an elephantstay experience, I highly recommend it and I can't wait to have more elephantstay experiences in the future.||||Oh, riding Jumpee, I think it is a very personal experience, and I've raved enough, what an amazing creature, what an experience, there is defo respect and admiration for every elephant, mahout and child that has this relationship. I'm in awe.