I'm Leavin' on a Jet Plane
But I do know when I'll be back again and that will be in about two weeks. I've just finished packing, arranging, unpacking and then packing again. I always have too many sweaters with, a real necessity in smouldering 32 Celsius (90 degree Fahrenheit) weather. I guess one could say that I'm not a very logical packer.
We haven't really figured out how we're going to be spending our time yet, once we arrive in picturesque Phuket, Thailand but decided we'll just play it by ear. I want to do something meaningful, besides the standard tourist traps like lying on the beach 24/7 or shopping.
More than anything, I really wanted to visit the Elephant Nature Park - that I tell everyone to visit but haven't even been to myself, yet. The Elephant Nature Park is a rescue centre for elephants, located in Mai province and provides a sanctuary for elephants, where they can roam free.
Unfortunately, for us the park is located way up in the northern part of Thailand and we'll be in the southern end. I talked to one of the girls who works there and she said we'd have to fly, as apparently there isn't a train from Phuket. The park provides a variety of volunteer programs designed for us humans to serve the elephant and not vice versa. The one that excites me the most is the package that includes overnight accommodations in a hut, amongst the elephants, where you can hear the elephants snoring outside and wake up to these beautiful creatures wandering about.
Anyhow, I think that is a trip in itself and there are other ways to help, like buying a medical kit from their online store or even adapting an elephant. I want to visit the park more than anything and will, perhaps reach that goal next year. It's just another thing on "the to do list" before I kick the bucket, not that I'm planning on doing that soon, but you know, it's always good to plan ahead. Speaking of must do things before the good times are over, good luck to all of those lucky folks who'll be seeing Willie Nelson live in concert tonight. I wish I could be there.
