Yes, that is me astride a [what-I-hope-to-be] lovable, 30-year old female elephant named Sonakali. And yes, I am absolutely, bone-drenchedly soaked.
So, you ask, what happened?
I pulled into Chitwan, Nepal, yesterday, after an eight-hour bus journey from Kathmandu, having teamed up with Cox and Kings UK to do an elephant ride this morning through the Baghmara Community Forest.
What I didn’t know until last night was that after my safari ride, I could then make my way to a nearby river and actually help give the elephants a bath…
Or get one.
I was the first to arrive at the river and an elephant driver named Som invited me onto the back of Sonakali. He cupped his hands at knee-level and helped me hoist myself up–not an easy task when we’re talking about a five-ton beast. Unlike on the elephant ride, there was no seat (or howdah) for me–this time I’d be going bareback, and I couldn’t have been happier about it.
Som led Sonakali and me into the river, where I then proceeded to learn the definition of several Nepali words:
Bhaha = throw or give water
Pichu = bath
Tire = go on your side
This last one was my favorite, for as Som repeated it over and over like an auctioneer, Sonakali would then slowly lower towards the ground and I’d roll off her back and into the water.
Believe it or not, this whole bathing experience is free–all you’re encouraged to do is tip the driver at least 50 Nepali rupees.
I gave him 100, and it was the best 80 pence I’ve ever spent…
So what exactly does an elephant bath look like? (for the traveller, of course.)
Ready…
Aim…
Fire!
Now how about an actual elephant bath?
Want to give (or get) an elephant a bath yourself?
Then get yourself to Chitwan, Nepal–an eight or so hour bus journey from Kathmandu, or a five-hour trip from Sonali on the border with India.
I’m staying at the Chitwan Forest Resort in Sauraha, paying a mere $4 for a bed in a 5-person dorm (which I have to myself, by the way!). Other things to check out in the area besides its elephants are a cultural dance every evening, a traditional village and jungle treks through the nearby national park.
Brilliant post and loving the pictures.. so finally you had your shower!! haha
I loved reading your blogs!. The way you have described the sub-continent is amazing!. 🙂
The sequence of pictures, “Ready.. Aim.. Shoot” is so cute. I just thank god for having met someone like you, though in a strange fashion!. 😀
Will keep following your blogs.
Take Care and All the best!. 🙂
Nirmit, my friend! I’m so glad you found me here 🙂 It was so great meeting you on that crazy train from Delhi…please thank your mum for such a lovely dinner, and thank you for keeping me company all that way! Hope your studies finish out well this year and let me know when you make it to Virginia 🙂 All the best!!
This has to be one of your all time favorite activities on your journeys. What a great way to experience India! Rarely am I jealous, but this did it:)
It absolutely was! Right up there with hiking Grandfather Mountain with you all those years ago 🙂 I loved getting to ride the elephant bareback–felt so much more real than being cooped up in a bamboo basket. Remember–we’ll ride them together in Africa one day!
wow, Candace.
haha I hope that’s a good wow! it wasn’t the cleanest bath i’ve ever had, but definitely the most fun 🙂
Absolutely love your pictures and blog. I am planning a trip to Nepal and India this December and my most important highlight will be bathing the elephants. Although my tour company says you can only observe them bathing and not partake in the experience, I am wondering how hard it is to actually get an opportunity to do it. If I show up at the river bank can I talk/pay my way into climbing on one?