Nepal - Chitwan Jungle
The drive from Lumbini to Chitwan had some beautiful views
Trucks that passed us had colorful paintings & tinsel all over them.
The next morning we got up early to take dugout canoes out to the jungle for a walk
our guide briefing us on the day
It made me really sad seeing these elephants working & being ridden with another company that morning. Having seen elephants wild in africa and also knowing about the painful & abusive week-long torture process they go through to be tamed for tourism, it just made me sick. In addition to this, holding 4-5 people on their back at a time does extreme damage to their backs and the boxes cut into their skin. I'm not sure if the people riding them know about the abuse that the elephants go through but supporting the owners by paying for a ride is part of the problem. If you want to better understand why you shouldn't ride elephants, click here to watch a video (warning: it is graphic). A Better way to have an up close experience with elephants is at 'The Elephant Nature park' in Chaing Mai, Thailand which rescues and purchases elephants from the tourism industry so that they can live in peace. We went there and had an awesome day. they are not ridden there so you get to feed and wash them instead (so much more fun!) & Your day pass acts as a donation to buying more food for them. click here to find out more info about elephant Nature park and how to support the protection of elephants.
Huge croc spotted on the way back...while we were in our little dugout canoe.
next we visited the Chitwan elephant conservation camp. These elephants are not ridden for tourism but It was still hard seeing the elephants chained up. this is the only way (right now) the national park can ensure that the poachers don't get them. They are taken out for walks a few times a day to get them moving, but they hope in the future to have more funds for a better solution.
off to find some rhinos at sunset
The next day we went out on a jungle safari to spot some more animals
Love the butts on these guys
caught in the act!
