ELEPHANT PAINT SCHOOL

Elephants love to paint because they get to do a fun activity with their mahouts. They get huge amounts of attention, positive reinforcement and treats from their mahout -and so of course they are going to enjoy themselves. At http://www.elephantstay.com/ they only use younger elephants that are too young to give rides and it really is amazing to watch how everyone plays together in between and physically and verbally show their love to all of the people they associate with this activety.

Today's "star artist" is AKA PETER (Noppakhao)

Information as always from Elephantstay's own Ewa Narkiewicz and Michelle Reedy.

To see AKA PETER "in action" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRtJQC-x7Mg

THE ROYAL ELEPHANT KRAAL, AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND

The Royal Elephant Kraal in Ayutthaya is home to approximately 90 elephants. One of the unique aspects of situating the elephants at the world heritage listed Royal Elephant Kraal is the link to history.

For hundred of years the Kings of Thailand would attend the Royal Elephant Round-up and choose the elephants that would work and live alongside the Thai people and help build Thailand into the country it is today.

Today the Royal Elephant Kraal re-lives these centuries old traditions through re enactments and the observation of age-old customs and ceremonies. The training techniques adopted at the Kraal are a marriage of traditional and modern methods.

Laithongrien Meepan has studied historical texts written by the Kings of Thailand about elephants. Reviving these rich traditions raises the status of the mahout (owner) and elephant.

It is a unique demonstration of the skills of the mahouts.

I have "stolen" this information from Ewa Narkiewicz. You will find her and Michelle Reedy on www.elephantstay.com

Look also at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtJbtFUSqo8 to see pictures from a normal day at the Kraal. Look out for some cute babies. There are 5 of them less than a year old !

Kingfisher Airlines

I had left it as late as possible to book my flight from Bangkok to London / return. Checking through the options on internet I stumbled over a familiar name; Kingfisher Airlines that I recognized from IPL. Their price on such short notice was well below what the major airlines offer on bookings well in advance. Only "minus" was that I had to change plane in Mumbai. At Suvarnabhumi Airport the staff at the check-in counter were friendly and efficient. Well seated we got an introduction into the airline in a video by the Chairman, Vijay Malliya. He told us of his greatest passion; food and that the customers of Kingfisher Airlines should enjoy nothing but the best. How true that was !! He also told us that he, himself had handpicked every single one of the beautiful hostesses. What did he mean by "handpicked" ??

Then we were told to sit back and enjoy "THE KINGFISHER EXPERIENCE".

Another point was that they had increased the legroom "behind the curtain" (tourist class) after complaints from passengers. Just imagine that !! I complained some years ago about lack of leg-room on a British Airways flight from London to Bangkok. All BA did was to tell me that I had to book a better class (business) if I was looking for leg-room and comfort. I never went back !!!

At the airport in Mumbai time was short and we had to rush through security before boarding the flight to London. It seems like an unneccessary operation, but when we know what acts of terror that has taken place in India, we should just be greatful that security is in operation. Kingfisher provided us with a nice, young woman who guided us through without any delays.

Arriving at London Heathrow, Terminal 4 was a great plus for the ones of the passangers holding european passports. Through immigration in no time.

When the time came to turn the back to britain's cold winds and rain and return to Thailand's +32 and rain we were again meat by the most helpful and efficient staff at the check-in counter.

Well onboard, sitting comfortable in seat 24K, I looked up and saw the most beautiful of all the beautiful women I have ever set my eyes on. Chairman Vijay Malliya must have had a fantastic day at work the day he "handpicked" this one ! WOW !! She even spoke to me and gave me a smile !!! The problem is that she was born (far) too late !!

From the check-in at Suvarnabhumi tilol we returned and left the plane at Suvarnabhumi I most certainly enjoyed "THE KINGFISHER EXPERIENCE".

I am now a "King Club Member" (492229312) and am already looking forward to my next flight with Kingfisher Airlines.