How Does One Ride an Elephant?

Our one rest day from pedaling mile upon mile was something of an adventure in itself. We traveled to the nearby Yak Dom National Park (something like a national park in the USA).  There, we embarked on a two-hour excursion through the teak-wood forest on the backs of elephants.  That's right: instead of riding bicycles, we rode elephants.

As these photos attest, it was a funny, uncomfortable, interesting and thrilling experience all at the same time.  There were four healthy-looking Asian Elephants, the oldest and largest of which was 70 years old.  Each seemed to carry us without even noticing we were there and enjoyed their walk through the woods, stopping occasionally to push over a tree to get at its tender top leaves or reaching high to pull down a leafy branch.  We discovered that you do not so much ride an elephant as you are permitted to by an elephant to be taken along for a ride.

Hard to describe the feeling of being atop one of these largest of land mammals. It's gait sends you lurching in just about every direction, but it's a slow gait, so you just loosen up and go with the flow.  The terrain of the forest in Yak Dom National Park is hilly, so we had the experience of feeling like we were going to topple forward when it headed downhill and the fear of falling off the back when it went uphill.  And when the elephant bent low at the river's edge to drink, we just held on for dear life.

We noted that elephants walk very quietly through the woods.  When we weren't laughing and bantering, you could hardly hear these grand creatures moving among the plants and trees.  In its environment, the size of the elephant seems to be less overwhelming and more functional.  The ride was an unforgettable experience of Vietnam.

Our day also included a visit to a tribal village and waterfalls within Yak Dom park. Our photos reflect the good, relaxing time we had.

We return to pressing on toward our goal on Sunday.  After a morning gathering time, we'll climb back on our bikes and head northeast and into our second week of cycling Vietnam with a heart and hope to invest in the lives of children and supporting projects for our friends here.

Thanks, again, for following our sojourn and for all the support you are giving us.  We appreciate your comments and questions.