The first time I visited Taro Elephant Safari Park I was travelling solo. I was intrigued with the idea of riding an elephant. So I went for the whole package experience - ride, meet and feed, lunch, transport. It was a few years ago now, so I don't remember the cost at the time. I do remember that it was well worth the money.
I went on the earliest tour, to avoid the crowds. I was collected from my hotel - Tegal Sari in Ubud and 15 or so minutes later was walking through the front entrance of the park. They were in the process of building a hotel on the property.
So I was led to a sunken arena where the elephants are led for boarding. Let me tell you folks that there is no elegant way to mount an elephant. Oh dear - that sounds rude! Let me rephrase. There is no elegance involved in getting yourself onto the seat tied to the back of the elephant. Is that better? In fact, I found myself reluctant to take that first step onto the elephant's neck/back. After a few hesitations, I finally stepped/fell into the seat.
The sway of the elephant as it walked along was more exaggerated from my perch on his back. I found I was a bit of a nervous Nellie sitting so high and had a bit of a death grip going on with the sides of the seat. I was not reassured by the presence of the elephant handler sitting on his neck. He was tiny and wouldn't be enough to break my fall, and not without the loss of his life. Sensing my unease, or just naturally garrulous, the tiny Balinese handler recounted the story of his elephant (Daisy), and I was soon distracted enough to allow the blood to circulate again to my fingers.
We trekked along a narrow well-worn path through the forest and I gradually relaxed more as I got into the the rhythm of Daisy's stride. We passed a small run-down rattan hut which the handler called 'chicken hotel' laughing heartily at his own joke.
A short time later, a chicken darted out of the undergrowth across the path and Daisy let out the equivalent of en elephant scream and took off into the bushes at some speed. I was nearly unseated in the process and let out a small scream myself. After a terrifying minute or two (felt alot longer) the handler managed to gain control with the use of a small hammer he continuously tapped on her cranium. I'm not sure if the practice wasn't a tad cruel, but my relief at the cessation of the stampede outweighed my fleeting concern. It took the rest of the trek before my heart rate returned to near normal, but I continued on a state of alert - ready to spot any further wayard chickens. We passed a gigantic spider web with an equally giant spider insitu. I would have liked to take a photo but there was no way in hell I was letting even one hand go from the seat now!
Our trek ended with a walk into the lagoon, where Daisy sucked up some water and blew it out in a fountain over her back narrowly missing me, before we made our way back to the boarding corral. Funnily enough I had no hesitation in leaping off Daisy's back onto terra firma. Shortly after I was permitted to feed Daisy some plant shoots, though not fast enough for her liking - her food seeking trunk snuffling at my hands constantly. It was good to get up close and personal, from ground level. I also got to meet the youngest elephant at the park - Baby, and give her a pat too. Very cute.
Lunch at the park (you knew I'd mention food!) was a buffet, included in my package, ex drinks. The food was very nice, the restaurant situated beside the lagoon, so diners could watch other trekkers get squirted by their elephants as they returned.
A couple of years later I went on 'safari' again, this time with my cousin and her three kids. They went two by two and I took up the rear. Phew! It's not pleasant bringing up the rear of a one of these magnificent beasts. They're farts are lethal - and noisy, to the delight of the kids. We all enjoyed our day immensely, despite the fact that I scored Daisy again. The kids laughed themselves silly when they heard, having knowledge of my previous encounter. And yes, I did hang on pretty tight and kept an eye out for chickens!
It wasn't until last year that I came to fully appreciate what they are doing at the park. I watched a documentary on the ABC called Operation Jumbo, documenting the rescue of 10 starving Sumatran elephants and the logistical nightmare of repatriating them back to Bali by road and ferry. It was very interesting and well worth watching if you happen to see it at the dvd shop.
