I am ashamed to say that while in Nepal I rode an elephant while on safari (to track and safely photograph rhinoceros).  I did not know then what it took to train an elephant to do such work.  I know now and will never ride an elephant again and would ask the same of anyone reading this blog. Today I visited an elephant sanctuary located in the mountains where these noble and extremely bright creatures live without shackles and only participate in natural behaviors (eating, rolling in the mud, bathing). Elephants eat a lot of food and they particularly like bananas. After breakfast which also includes a more voluminous amount of vegetation the elephants pause for a long drink at the river before indulging in a mud bath. Once they are fully caked in mud it is back to the river for a bath.  They particularly liked using the small waterfall there as a shower.  The family of five that I visited included three generations (baby, mother, grandmother) and all are happy to befriend anyone with a supply of bananas.

After returning from the mountains I enjoyed a simple dinner before doing a little night photography of the temples. A most satisfying day from start to finish.