This age-old question has long been keeping Americans awake at night, but I now know what the Lao people have known for centuries. Soon, you will, too!
But first, check out the 'Elephant Village', where we spent a few hours on our 3rd day in N. Laos. The Village's purpose is to protect and rehabilitate female elephants that were over-worked and abused in the local logging industry.
But first, check out the 'Elephant Village', where we spent a few hours on our 3rd day in N. Laos. The Village's purpose is to protect and rehabilitate female elephants that were over-worked and abused in the local logging industry.
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| At this hospital, there are no beds and only one patient at a time is seen |
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| 'Elephant Village' courtyard, where ten animals stay, rescued from heavy labor |
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| You can order lunch from the cafe, as you sit and watch the girls go by |
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| The Nam Khan river, N. Laos |
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| Read this - it's way cool |
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| Also read this - We got a book from them (fragrance-free) |
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| I can tell already that our 'mahout' is not too sure about me |
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| Like riding a horse, except the saddle is now a padded bench called a 'howdah' |
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| It feels very high up here! |
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| Our Mahout/photographer and beast were all properly amused! |
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| So big and strong, and yet almost dainty in her taking food from me |
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| There is a lot of strength in her trunk - it has a little 'finger' on the end of it |
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| The elephant and mahout are traditionally 'assigned' to each other during childhood, and their relationship is for life (humans and elephants share similar longevity) |
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As your reward for looking through all those pics, here is the answer to our great and ancient mystery:
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| It's rough, thin, and doesn't respond well to product |
