Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Here we are on the truck ride from the main office where we checked in to the sanctuary. About 50 people were divided into smaller groups and each group had a colored sticker like the ones we’re wearing. The roof was covered in the stickers from previous visitors.

After donning rubber boots to keep the germs on our shoes out of the elephants’ home, we were offered a light breakfast while we waited for the tour to begin. After our tour, we were served lunch here. When the trip was over, we agreed we probably ate the best “Thai” food of our journey here at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

Our group went straight to feeding an elephant.

Some of the elephants were raised in captivity so they never learned to forage. Continuing to feed them sweet foods like watermelon and bananas keeps them content during their senior years.

We then walked through the sanctuary where the elephants are finally free to roam and do as they please.

This old girl was very agreeable and took a bath while we were near their swimming pool.

This elephant was one of the few that spent her years in the logging industry, so she learned to forage.

Our guide K'Palm was exceptional. Here he explained how the sanctuary collects sap from the rubber trees to make a little extra money for the elephants.

The queen of this jungle.

View from the elevated walkway.

The dining area where we were served breakfast and lunch.

Our group included Andrew and Kerri from Anaheim Hills, CA.

Thank you Phuket Elephant Sanctuary for creating a safe haven for these poor tortured friends and an ethical way for us to get to meet them up close and personal—such a great organization and we all had an amazing visit!

Following our time with the amazing elephants, John and Sabrina drove us to their new apartment, which was nearly finished with construction. They rent their current apartment and hope to move into this place soon.

We then drove to their current apartment.

In the apartment we met Ori, their Sphynx cat. He is their second cat so his name is the English equivalent of the Georgian word ორი, which means “two.”

That evening, John, Sabrina, Karina, Amanda, and I drove up to Mai Khao beach where we swam, were bitten by plankton, and enjoyed the nearly deserted beach.