There’s a cacophony of crickets, frogs and dogs barking that wake me before my friend, Jodi, does. Laying on the bamboo floor in her hut constructed of the same at Elephant Nature Park, I am still. Present in the total darkness as the world softly whispers outside the slats in her walls. Her soft footfallsContinue reading “Midnight in the Garden of Good”
Tag Archives: save elephant foundation
Questions to ask about volunteer vacations
Editor’s Note: I recently contributed to a book about volunteer vacations and how to be responsible when choosing one. Details are at the end of this post. I remember when I first booked my volunteer “vacation” to Thailand. My friends thought I was nuts. “Who takes time off of work to go and work inContinue reading “Questions to ask about volunteer vacations”
20 things I love about Chiang Mai
Today is Sunday, July 13, 2014. Two years ago today, I changed my life. I hopped on a Trans-Pacific flight to Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, to begin anew. To work with my hero, Lek Chailert, and help raise awareness about responsible elephant tourism with Save Elephant Foundation. A lot can happenContinue reading “20 things I love about Chiang Mai”
My To Do list
What’s in a bucket list? Or, on a bucket list? I mean … I’ve never really had a bucket list. I’ve tried to have one, but the amount of experiences in this world I would love to have cannot be contained on one clear, succinct little list. Instead, they flutter about the crevices of myContinue reading “My To Do list”
Lessons learned from seven months as an expat
Today marks seven months of being an expat in Thailand. To say my life has been a blessing these past seven months is not an understatement. From exploring Sri Lanka to blissing out in Bali to rescuing elephants and all of the beautiful moments in between, I have loved nearly every moment. What have I learnedContinue reading “Lessons learned from seven months as an expat”
The rescue of Lucky the Elephant
“Diana! Mindy! Get off of the truck!” We hear Lek yell from the ground below at us, as we sit huddled under a wooden bench in the bed of a truck beginning to fill up with water. We are soaked. And, the elephant standing mere feet from us on the truck, doesn’t look too thrilledContinue reading “The rescue of Lucky the Elephant”
To rescue elephants
It is pitch black when Lek knocks on the door of my room at the guest house. “Ok, we go,” she says softly through the wood. “The elephants are ready.” I’m up. Today — this morning — we are on a mission: to rescue two female elephants from their lives of work and deliver themContinue reading “To rescue elephants”
Daily Wanderlust: Elephant Love
My days at Elephant Nature Park consist of a lot of animal time. When Navann, the park’s new baby, was born on Oct. 28, it thrilled me to no end. I get to spend time with a baby elephant! And, while I don’t get to see him too often, the times I do are pureContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Elephant Love”
Giving thanks
I’m sitting in the kitchen of the house where I grew up. Around me, I can hear the happy chatter of my mom, dad and brother. I hear the jingle of metal from the tag on Barkley, our old and gorgeous springer spaniel’s collar. I look outside at the naked trees against the bright blueContinue reading “Giving thanks”
Daily Wanderlust: Navann, the baby elephant
A few weeks ago, Elephant Nature Park welcomed a new baby boy to the herd — Navann. Of course, there will be a story coming, but for now, enjoy this adorable little guy! If you want more baby, be sure to check out this video of his first “bath.”
D Travels 'Round 