8 January 2015 - Samphran Elephant Park and Zoo

We had researched our route on public transport to Samphran Elephant Park and Zoo and set out in good faith that the Sky Train to Krung Thonburi and the "Euro-style Bus" 84 would take less than the two hours indicated.

Euro-style bus conjured up pictures of airconditioned comfort but we were oh so wrong.  Bus 84, for 6 1/2 Baht each (about 25 cents) rattled us along with absolutely no suspension, windows open to let in the breeze and only slightly padded very old seats.  It was one step up from the  "song thaews" which have the two bench seats along their sides.  Coupled with endless road works, our journey was uncomfortable to say the least and uncertain as neither the driver nor the ticket collector really acknowledged our destination although we asked several times.  

However, it turned out that Bus 84 did arrive outside the Elephant Park precisely two hours after we left our accommodation this morning, just as the Google Map had indicated!

We wondered if we would be the only ones there all day!

The Samphran Elephant Park and Zoo was like a ghost town when we arrived but later there were more people although I wouldn't call it a busy day. It cost 600 Baht per adult and 350 Baht for children under 130 cms.

The caged animals: tigers and monkeys, were not kept in the luxurious surrounds of animals we find at the Melbourne Zoo, but they were clean and well fed and loved.

Would you pay 100 Baht to pat a chained up tiger who was pacing angrily?

Felt sorry for this guy..

 We headed further into the Zoo. We were delighted to pat and be hugged by elephants, mothers and babies.  We did buy a bit of food for them because it was fun.  They are clearly well cared for by their mahouts.  We couldn't get enough of the cutest little 2 month old elephant: Mani.  The keepers did ask for tip which for us Aussies isn't the natural thing to do at a zoo!

So tame!

Baby Mani

Smile Mummy Elehant!

Luke looking a bit nervous but he soon became confident around the elephants

Hug an elephant today!

Hugs for girls too!

A great feeling!

 We then roamed around the crocodile ponds.  They were filled and I mean FILLED with Siamese Crocodiles of various sizes.  Most of them were lazing around but there was an occasional fight over something minor.

We saw some "abnomal" crocodiles - birth defects in jaws etc

We decided to go elephant riding.  Annika was very keen to do this and she was disappointed that we couldn't go to the jungle to do "real" elephant riding.  However, this was a delightful experience.  We convinced Luke, who is fearful about trying new things, to go for a ride, too and he LOVED it! Karl opted not to ride citing the fact that he had ridden an elephant as a kid at the Melbourne Zoo.  As for me, nothing was going to stop me enjoying myself!!  It was a wonderful walk through little paths and under a man made waterfall.  We sat on a saddle seat with the mahout in front of us and whilst not a jungle experience a very lovely experience none the less!  The mahouts and the little bloke who dashed around with my camera asked for a tip.  We paid 500 Baht for the 20 minute ride, which I felt was definitely "tourist priced".

Under the waterfall

So much fun!

We had a quick snack at the reasonably priced food area before finding the "Crocodile Wrestling" area.  The Croc Wrestling was a bit of a hoot as the two guys had to rev up the beasts and drag them by their tails to the platform. They seemed to mesmorise/hypnotise these crocs by tapping sticks.  Hand and head in their jaw type of show but no wrestling as such.  We wondered if these beasts had been fed well and sedated!

Croc wrestling!

Hypnotising a croc!

Orchids growing

Another beauty!

Then it was time to find a seat in the arena for a terrific magic show which is still puzzling me!  BUT the piece de resistance was the Elephant Show.  It was really spectacular and entertaining and the elephants seemed happy to oblige.

Happy performer

Smile

So empty was the zoo that we were the only ones in the food court.  For 40-45 Baht we had either thick rice noodles (Moray Eels - see December post!) and beef or rice and pork.  Very delicious and we were really hungry.  Luke, Mr Reluctant-to-try-new-things, eventually shared our meals and loved the taste!

Our favourite noodles

Delicious!

We went back to pat the sweet little elephants again before rattling back to the Sky Train on the bus.  This time it was air conditioned, cost a little more (19 Baht) but the seats were as uncomfortable and the suspension only marginally better than the previous Bus 84.  
 

Now that is what you call Croc wrestling!

Two hours of travelling left us tired but we all loved the day out.  Of course, there is always room for a swim in the pool!  The only thing which marred the great day was a complaint by another resident here that the kids leave wet marks in the lift after their nightly swim - fair enough.  I assured him it wouldn't happen again...eeek