Jumbo Trip

Nature at its best

Me and Wan and Logimala (kot)

This weekend may have been one of the most fulfilling weekends in months. I had 2 trips to Pahang, on 2 separate days, with 2 entirely different crowds for 2 entirely different reasons. But both required early starts, but I didn't mind at all, considering how worthwhile both the occasions were.

Saturday...I made 2 new fantabulous friends; Wan and Amir, and spent 2 great hours with 6 adorable (jumbo-like) 'pets'. The fantastic five (us 3 + Nell and Husna) started early in the morning, had breakkie at Genting Sempah (though much to Wan's resistance - he hated the name so much :p) and continued on the 1.5hrs journey to the Elephant Sanctuary Park Kuala Gandah. We arrived at almost 11, quickly registered, and was recommended to go lepak at a nearby Deer Park (3km away), but instead we explored the Kampung Orang Asli nearby (walking distance). The locals performed for us, and some of us even tried sumpit. That was fun. The next few hours till the start of event at 1 was spent aimlessly in front of the camera (Husna...you are such a poser!) The video show was informative, but the real deal started at 2.

We were practically running towards the ele's when we saw them, all lined up for their bath and meal. Punyelah beria nak naik gajah, sampaikan mula-mula we didn't even want to feed the ele's, but who could resist such a grand occasion. The place provided tonnes of fruits for everyone to feed. Comel sangat. Banyak perangai. One didn't want to eat anything else but bananas, one wanted people to feed him directly into the mouth only (manja kan...) but others were just happily accepting all that we feed. Ada papayas, watermelons, bananas, cucumber. Menarik ok...

Next was the ride of the day. I loved the short (very short actually) trip on the back of Logimala (an adult ele from India) with Nell and the trainer. I wished it was longer, but if you thought about it, kesian plak kat gajah-gajah nih, nak layan semua orang yang datang tiap-tiap hari. Throngs of people OK, and mainly from KL. It was fun nevertheless, riding on its bare back. I felt really close to nature then. :) Kinda like Jane..huhu...

The last event really was the event of the day, saved for last. This time, I rode the ele in the river, with Wan, Husna and a Mat Salleh, and at one point, it just free-falls on the side, along with us on its back. Fun yang ultimate OK. I don't think any rides I've been on my whole life could compare. Tenggelam heads-on into the river. huhu. I don't know how to describe the feeling, but I'd definitely drive the 1.5hrs drive back anyday for that 5-minute fun. All rides are limited to one per person, and only the first 120 persons registered gets the chance of doing all these activities. Check this out: http://www.endemicguides.com/Kuala_Gandah.htm Have fun!