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May/Jun 2015
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6
DO IT OUR WAY
bed that look like those of our gluttonous
friends. There are 27 rooms of various
types – one for each rescued elephant.
The neighbours can occasionally be
a bit noisy but when the first thing you
hear upon waking is that of a trumpeting
elephant it merely serves to remind you
of the magical situation in which you
find yourself. Opening the curtains to our
new favourite view was a great way to
start the day before going to bathe. The
ablutions were not ours, however, but
the animals’. Grab yourself a hose and a
scrubbing brush and you can help clean
the elephants ready for the day ahead.
It’s a great way to interact with them
and we’re sure they were grateful.
All of which might put you in the mood
for a refreshing dip and while the lodge
does have its own pool there’s a more
innovative way to get a wake-up call
and that’s to go swimming with the
elephants. Sitting on the back of an
elephant nearly totally submerged in
water while feeding a small piece of
banana to the expectant trunk curled
www.essential-bali.com
towards us is one of the more rewarding
mornings we’ve ever had at ‘work’.
We’d done out bit for the elephants
and now it was their turn to reciprocate
as we embarked on another safari. This
was a longer version of our previous
night-time incursion as we plodded
sedately through the rainforest enjoying
a peaceful perambulation through Bali’s
lush foliage, the only sound that of our
steed breaking up bits of the food he’d
brought with him to eat along the way.
Our journey over ,there was just
enough time to check out the shop
and the Elephant museum, which is
an educational journey concerning
the history of these animals and their
uncertain future, before a final half
hour on the balcony enjoying this most
magical environment.
For one night we got to enjoy this garden
of Eden, gorged on great food, swam
and even enjoyed a massage at the
lodge spa. The elephants get to do that
every day of their lives – half their luck.
We stayed, swam, bathed, rode,
fed, watched and relaxed with the
Elephants at the Elephant Safari
Lodge, 15 kilometres north of Ubud.
We stayed in a Park View room –
accommodation includes entry
to the park, safari ride, bathing
and swimming with elephants and
breakfast at the Mammoths Head
restaurant. Prices vary according to
time of year and time of booking. We
added dinner for 350,000 Rp. Various
packages are available to enjoy
the park without overnight stays. See
website for more details.
www.elephant
safariparklodge.com
+62 (0) 361 721480 (Sales)
+62 (0) 361 898 8888 (Lodge)
info@elephant
safariparklodge.com
5. Swimming trunks:
Lots of play time for
parents and offspring
6. Take a ride: A
great way to explore
the rainforest