Travel & Vacation: Elephant Ride (Orange County Kabini, India)

Jake & I on our first elephant ride

Elephants are amazing creatures!   If you would have told me at the beginning of 2012 that I would be traveling to India and taking a ride on an elephant I am not sure I would have believed you.  Boy, how a few busy months can change and new adventures happen right before our very own eyes.

It was an awesome opportunity to travel to India earlier this year.  Jake and I not only got to see elephants up close our both of our Boat Safari and Jeep Safari, we got to touch one, take a ride on an elephant, and give an elephant a bath!  How COOL IS THAT?!!!

The kids and Matt going for a ride on the elephant.

Taking the elephant to the water for her bath.  Bathing an elephant is a new experience for all of us.

Whose ready to help give the elephant a bath?

How often do you see a sitting elephant?

The workers are getting the elephant to sit then lay down in the water so we can help give her a bath.

Splashing water on the elephant to rinse her off.  She seemed to really enjoy the bath.  I bet it felt great to have the cool water splashed on her after giving everyone a ride.

This was the best part of the bath!  The workers asked to see if anyone wanted to get up on the elephant one last time at the end of her bath.  Of course the kids volunteered! Right after they got onto the elephant she reached her trunk down into the water and flung it up over her head spraying them with water.  The first time it took all of us by surprise, but before long everyone was wanting a turn.  This picture of Erica and Michael getting sprayed by the elephant

Rachel & David getting sprayed by the elephant

It was so neat being able to touch, ride, and interact with an elephant up close.  The elephant was big, gentle, and well behaved.  I wonder what it would be like to have a “pet” elephant (I know the girls would love it)!   Thanks Matt and Jen for showing us amazing place and sharing this experience with us.   Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to take the girls for a ride on  an elephant someday.

The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!