Today we took the elephants on a three-hour walk to the watering hole. Before starting out on the walk I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to get into the water because Josy had warned that there may be leaches, but after three hours of walking under the hot sun I was ready to jump into the water and cool off.

Back at the camp we fed the elephants and then headed over to the enclosure for a meeting with the local shaman. He talked to us about the history of Surin and the spirit of elephants. He spoke in Thai and Apple translated what he said into English.

An hour or so before dinner, the other volunteers and I filled out evaluation form on our experience. Then we discussed marketing schemes and advertising ideas that would attract and educate people about the project. In the past some of the volunteers had arrived at the project expecting to see the elephants do tricks and ride them and Josy wants to find and advertise to volunteers and tourists who actually want to contribute to the welfare of the elephants, not just their entertainment.  

Total HR: 41