With our first weekend here, we wanted to kickstart our exploration of the Kanchanaburi province. Our plan- visit an elephant camp and a national park. Starting the day early, groggy, we got out of bed at 6:30 AM to eat breakfast and leave on the 2 hour journey. We weren't alone as other friends from the Church decided to join us for the day.
First we visited the elephant camp, and contrary to western beliefs, supporting these camps are much needed for these elephants to survive. Many think that the poor treatment of elephants from these camps deem visiting as taboo, however, those camps are in small numbers. Of course do not support camps where elephants are abused for entertainment and tourism. The reason Thailand has so many elephant camps is due to its history of logging. Elephants were domesticated and put to work to help in the logging industry, but this treatment quickly ended. With no place to go, these domesticated elephants could not survive in the wild, thus, elephant camps. We were lucky to visit one such camp where money from tourists are needed to help feed the elephants.
Subsequently, 30 minutes away was a vibrant national park with stepped waterfalls dotted all over the 2 kilometer hike that took you through the breath of the national grounds. We hiked and swam through gorgeous clear water, under waterfalls and huge canopies- housing monkeys and native flowers.
Tired and wet, we stopped at a 7Eleven on our way home to munch on some snacks for the 2 hour journey home. Overall, I'd say a pretty successful day.