{"id":1454,"date":"2009-07-13T17:54:05","date_gmt":"2009-07-13T09:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mytwogirls.net\/?p=1454"},"modified":"2009-07-14T00:21:34","modified_gmt":"2009-07-13T16:21:34","slug":"kuala-gandah-elephant-sanctuary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mytwogirls.net\/?p=1454","title":{"rendered":"Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, Daddy brought us on an excursion to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary<\/a>, which is located at the Temerloh district. It was ~2hrs drive on Karak Highway (towards Raub and Exit : Lanchang) and small roads (with very good signage to the Santuary), passing small villages and Orang Asli settlements. <\/p>\n

When we arrived ~2:30pm; they had finished distributing the ‘yellow stickers’ (which entitled you a ride on the elephant), and only left with ‘red stickers’ (which is just an ‘entrance ticket’). Entrance is free<\/strong>! Can you beat it? It seems the place is getting funds mainly from foreign tourists’ donation.<\/p>\n

What the girls got to do was got real close to the elephants. However, Zara thought the elephant was dirty, didn’t want to get too close. <\/p>\n

The elephant had just performed a trick (greeting visitors) and being awarded a pack of crysenthimum tea. o.O”
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

After seeing how the elephant took peanuts from my hand, Zaria too tried to feed the elephant.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

Zara afraid of getting herself dirty, stood aside and watch.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

Zaria is very proud she dared to do something her sister was afraid of doing.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

After the feeding, the elephants were led to the river for a bath. Visitors can join in and bath the elephants. The elephants actually got a bit afraid when a big crowd jumped into the river and chased after them; they actually went to the other side of the river, and wanted to climb up to the banks. After a lot of persuation from the handlers, then only they came to the centre. <\/p>\n

Daddy wasn’t properly dressed, so I went into the water together with the girls.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

Splash! Splash! Splash! See the huge crowd?
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

For those with yellow stickers, you can actually take a ride on the elephant in the water.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

The elephant will dive into the water.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

And throw you off their backs!
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

After the elephants climbed back up to land, the girls wanted to swim in the water. Gosh, there’s elephants’ dropping here and there, but they refused to get up, so I have to stay with them. The river was shallow and the water extremely cooling, and there’s no foul smell or anything (but still, I DID see the droppings).<\/p>\n

I just walked away a bit so that Daddy could take a photo of just the girls and Zaria started complaining “Mummy, why you go away? I’m drowing you know.”<\/span> o.O”
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

They were probably in the water for about half an hour before they were willing to leave. Both girls got themselves a lilly leaf (I think that’s what it is).
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

Girls giving the thumbsup for the trip. I think they really like the cool dip in the pool.
\n\"Kuala<\/p>\n

\"Kuala<\/p>\n

\"Kuala<\/p>\n

\"Kuala<\/p>\n

\"Kuala<\/p>\n

In terms of washing facilities, like all Malaysian public restrooms, they are horrendous. There’s however running water, so I just gave the girls a rinse and got them changed outside of the restrooms. I cringed when I changed myself. BUEK!<\/p>\n

On our way back to Karak highway, Daddy stopped by at a road side stall and ordered a durian. (Just in case you are wondering, no that’s not Daddy).
\n\"Lanchang<\/p>\n

Zara had a taste of durian and didn’t quite like it (btw, we not a family of durian eaters).
\n\"Zara<\/p>\n

Zara and myself waited for Daddy at the orchard owner’s shed, whiled Daddy finished off the durian.
\n\"Lanchang<\/p>\n

Zara and the orchard owner.
\n\"Zara<\/p>\n

(Daddy likes to rob the colours from our lives<\/strike> black and whilte photography these days; so everything is boring<\/strike> black and white).<\/p>\n

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