Thailand 2015: Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES)

The Yin and the Yang. Our visit here contained some of the highest and the lowest notes- for me -of our trip so far.

BLES is not your typical guest oriented tourist attraction. This is a sanctuary for elephants and elephants come first, as they should. Visitors pay for the experience of interacting with the elephants, but they are not the focus. Visitors are here to fund the sanctuary, and be educated about elephants, and more recently, dogs and cats. It is not a luxurious or often even a comfortable experience, although your basic needs-food, water, shelter, are certainly met, and sometimes very well.

It is really a place for elephant devotees, to whom the experience will be elephant nirvana. A pilgrimage to elephant Mecca, if you will. Those with a great-but less worshipful appreciation of elephants may find themselves a bit disgruntled at the cost (which was in the range of a luxury resort) vs. the lack of basic amenities and other issues.

First, and most important-the AMAZING: we hung out with elephants!!! We touched them, fed them, watered them, walked with them, played with them. We got to see elephants living happy lives, as free as possible in a human world. Elephants who had been abused, injured and sick treated with love and respect. Literally awesome. Every elephant had a horrific story. Some of them hate humans as a result, but some have blossomed and clearly relish their new lives.

During the day they get to roam the 700 acres of the sanctuary with their mahouts, eating what they want, swimming in the river, playing in the mud-doing what elephants do. I am so glad there is a place like this in the world.

There is a group of 3 females nicknamed the Gossip Girls, and we hung out with them most often. Lotus, Wassana and Pang Dow are social and vocal, and so sweet. They trumpet, squeek, chirp, bump and cuddle each other with their trunks. Even a grinch heart would grow to see them so happy.

Elephants, elephants everywhere. Even though you knew you were at an elephant sanctuary, it was still startling to see an elephant outside your window or walk right by you. Instant happiness.

The not so amazing: We were unfortunate to be here during a heat wave, the smoky burning season, and one of the cabin bathrooms had a bad bee infestation. The sanctuary recently started taking in dogs and cats, which is good because the need is great. We loved playing with and hanging out with the 18 dogs, but they fight alot and are allowed free reign around the table and everywhere else. AK & Todd both had scary moments with out of control dogs. They also roll in elephant dung (and eat it like dog food), and like to jump and rub on you. A mixed bag, even for us dog lovers. The kids renamed 1 dog poo-dragon, because all the poo he ate gave him dragon breath.

There were other problems, but after a few days away, they all recede and the joy of elephants is the strongest memory. And, as Kristi Rutledge said "It's not about having fun, it's about making memories". ;)