Brunch with Battutah
The ride - Koh Phangan, Thailand
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 5 February 2008 in Sport & Recreation and Portfolio.
John and Toni, the British couple were still recovering from an all-night Full Moon party when they went on the elephant trek. The elephant is a forty-year-old male called Kamkel driven by mahout, Vishien.
I was in front on another elephant so it was a little difficult to take a decent picture. There was a lot of swaying and jarring as the elephant loped along. The metal seat was lightly padded so it was a little hard on the backside.
On the level, it was fine. Going up required gripping the seat. But coming down a hill was a little scary because you felt like you were going to slip forward off the bench. I'd heard elephants had poor eyesight so I kept wondering if mine would stumble especially going downhill. But it didn't. Riding an elephant is an exciting but uncomfortable experience.
Koh Phangan is a notorious party island where you can go to Full Moon, Half Moon, Quarter Moon and even Black Moon parties. People come from all over the world for these. Along one stretch of Hadrin Beach, 10 sound systems each thump out a different type of music from Techno to Punk. The dancing is all-night and frenetic. The island is also famous as the home of a certain toad whose skin secretes a bufotoxin as a defence from predators. People have been known to smoke the toxin or skin for an hallucinogenic effect. Definitely not recommended!
givethemhell from Germany
Your photo is interesting, an elephant ride, but almost nothing to be seen of the animal.
I saw elephants working, when I visited the north of Thailand with my late mother in the Seventies. I believe they are very intelligent and sensitive animals.
Regarding moon parties - I have a post about Black Moon Night on my blog today. But I do not party, I prefer to watch the moon quietly, all by myself.
5 Feb 2008 6:09am
@givethemhell: I understand. I prefer the quiet as well. Thanks for your excellent comment.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Phenomenal photo Michael, the entire compo is masterful, from the lady's hairdo to the chauffeur's stance to the elephant texture, it's all amazing, congrats! I just wonder though how the elephant feels about going around carrying such loads, it can't be good...
5 Feb 2008 6:14am
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. I think this load is rather light for a huge elephant. They are trained to work and they can lift logs much heavier than this with their trunk. In the past, they were even used for war and carried a load of soldiers. That I think is cruel. I got the sense there that the animals were well treated.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
I look at the young lady's face and then at the conductor's.....two worlds apart!!! I definitely like the lady's hairstyle!Interesting information in the about!Thank you!
5 Feb 2008 6:33am
@Japanalia: How right you are. The lady is partying. The mahout (driver) is working. Thanks for the insight, Gabriela.
eddy from Tehran, Iran
very good, I 'd like to see the elephant's head in the frame also
5 Feb 2008 7:01am
@eddy: Thank you, Eddy. The focus here was on the people.
@Helma: Thank you, Helma.
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
Japanalia is right, such a contrast between the facial expressions... really worlds apart!
5 Feb 2008 9:01am
@ManuelaR: I agree fully. He's a working man. She's having fun. Thank you, Manuela.
Steven from Montreal, Canada
I really like the expressions and the composition. The dimple and the tatooed feet add to how cool this shot is. A picture does tell a thousand words (probably more) in this case. Well done!
5 Feb 2008 10:05am
@Steven: That's a great comment. Thanks, Steven. Glad you noticed the dimple and feet.
dpm from malé, Maldives
I took the elephant ride somewhere in India a few years back its one hell of a ride, like you said it remarkably sways, I had to hold on to my seat most of the time than enjoy the view. I guess that is what the ride is all about.
5 Feb 2008 10:27am
@dpm: Yes, it's a very rough ride. The idea is interesting but the actual experience is uncomfortable. Thank you, dpm.
Mandy from South Africa
cool shot Michael - I rode on an elephant last easter and I have to agree with you it is very bumpy and somewhat nerve wracking as I was constantly worried the elephant would decide to make a bolt for freedom with me sitting happily on its back!! hahaha
5 Feb 2008 10:32am
@Mandy: Yes. Once you're up there, you're in the animal's power. Too high up to want to jump. Thanks, Mandy.
martie from Okinawa, Japan
Nice one Michael! I never gave the logistics of elephant ridding much though - but it sounds like an art form in itself. Really nice picture.
5 Feb 2008 10:54am
@martie: I think it is a lifetime of training to become a mahout or handler like Vishien in the photo. Thanks, Martie.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
This is fascinating, Michael - I love the shot and your caption tells even more.
Riding an elephant must be similar in some ways to riding a camel (which we've done) - a little 'hairy' getting up and down with a bumpy ride, but fun.
5 Feb 2008 12:33pm
@Judy: Thanks, Judy. That's a great comment. Sounds like elephant riding and camel riding are similar. I've chased a camel away in Oman when it started eating our belongings at a beach campsite. But I've never ridden one.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
Interesting photo with three different emotions expressed on the faces. John definitely does have that look that he may have done a little too much partying the night before and I'm sure the ride didn't help his unsettling stomach. I also noted Toni's interesting body art. Great capture anf I'm glad your elephant was seeing 20/20 that day. :-)
5 Feb 2008 1:25pm
@Steven: Thanks for the great comment, Steven. Toni is a tattooist by trade.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
The girl's expression and her tattooed feet are interesting sidebars to this overall composition. Sounds like an island of pure hedonism.
5 Feb 2008 1:32pm
@Viewfinder: You summed up the island pretty well although there are unspoiled parts of it that the revelers never go to. Thanks, VF.
Babul Bhatt from Bombay, India
This is an interesting holiday shot. Elephants can sometimes go crazy! I noticed the dimple and she looks cute with her hair and tattoos.
I would love to go see noisy places for a short while tho'. Hope you had fun there...
5 Feb 2008 1:59pm
@Babul Bhatt: Thanks, Babul. It was a great place.
@Earnest: Thanks, Earnest. I appreciate that.
paola veneziani photography from Brescia, Italy
wow ho sempre sognato di andare su un elefante!! dev'essere fantastico!
5 Feb 2008 3:00pm
@paola veneziani photography: Spero che otteniate il vostro sogno. Grazie, Paola.
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
I've been to Thailand many times but not to these islands. Must go someday!
5 Feb 2008 3:04pm
@Craiger: Sounds like a great plan. Thank you, Craiger.
Oswegan from Lake Oswego, United States
Great shot. They look quite out of place on an elephant.
5 Feb 2008 3:16pm
@Oswegan: Interesting observation. Thanks for the comment.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
It's a fascinating image, Michael. Stories within stories, contrasts of cultures, the beauty of youth (grumble grumble)... but I'd really like to know what the mahout is thinking, who really has the best seat.
5 Feb 2008 3:22pm
@amy: Great comment. Thanks, Amy. The mahout was very friendly and I suspect he was just happy that he had steady work. I think he looks like a man you would definitely trust to drive you around on an elephant. But I guess it is just work for him.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
i think this is a fantastic shot because it captured so many details,considering you were on a elephant yourself,i would be holding on to whatever support or side arm of the sedan for dear life,LOL.The girl is very pretty,i think.And pardon my ignorance,what is the difference between full,half,quarter moon parties?
5 Feb 2008 3:47pm
@tyan: Thanks, Tyan. They are parties that happen according to the phases of the moon, a tradition on that island. There's a party when the moon is completely round, i.e. full; when it is half round i.e. half etc. all the way to black when there is no moon. It is really just an excuse to have a party almost all the time. The full moon is the biggest party where you get as many as 10,000 people from all over the world coming to dance on the beach. It was difficult to get a shot in reasonable focus because my elephant was moving all over the place as was theirs. At one point, the mahout cautioned me to turn round and hang on, rather than try to take pictures. Going downhill you really did have to hang on.
Jen from Alpharetta, United States
Very interesting...the image is great, nice framing and composition, wonderful details...the commentary is fasinating!
5 Feb 2008 4:24pm
@Jen: Thanks, Jen. I'm glad you found it interesting.
Wolfgang Prigge from Canada
Very nice, especially the expressions of the three! Dobrý vec^er (I think it's alost evening in Slovakia...)
5 Feb 2008 4:40pm
@Wolfgang Prigge: Thanks, Wolfgang. You are right. It is almost evening. I think it is about a 6 hour time difference.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
It is quite sharp and nicely composed when you consider there are two swaying elephants.
5 Feb 2008 6:29pm
@Michael Rawluk: Thanks, Michael. I also have a lot of shots that are unusable. A camera with anti-shake would have come in handy.
@alla: Thanks, Alla.
Henri from paris, France
Un éléphant à mauvaise vue, mais il est très intelligent! L'un compense l'autre ;-)
5 Feb 2008 6:57pm
@Henri: Merci, Henri. Je suis d'accord avec vous.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Very nice shot full of contrasts. I like the colour tones.
5 Feb 2008 8:50pm
@standley: Thank you, Standley.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Argh, I'm always late at commenting! As the others said: that are worlds apart, and I wonder how much these young party people will pick up from this tropical country that is so different from their home. Very interesting shot!
5 Feb 2008 10:37pm
@MadScientist: I think they will pick up very little of the local culture. However a lot of the young party people probably don't even go on an elephant ride. Thank you, MS.
Frankie from Boxmeer, Netherlands
Three faces with a different expressions. Well captured.
5 Feb 2008 11:50pm
@Frankie: Thank you, Frankie. I appreciate your comment.
Photographs by M.E. from Encino, United States
this is a photo in contrast - the colors, the subject's facial expression and skin tones (no offense meant)! really awesome and interesting.
6 Feb 2008 1:58am
@Photographs by M.E.: Yes, I agree with your assessment. Thank you, M.E.
Ken McCoy from Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL, United States
Their expressions really capture an atmosphere I have witnessed traveling in Mexico - and here at home in Florida: for the locals, all the tourists' fun is just a job, and the tourists are simultaneously fascinated and alarmed :)
6 Feb 2008 2:42am
@Ken McCoy: Your interpretation is accurate, I would say. The mahout is simply doing his job. Thank you, Ken.
Teresa Durães from Portugal
the turist and the man guiding the elephant. The turist bot enjoying or it seems. They look to other place and the man is doing his job. Great colors, the worlds distint.
6 Feb 2008 10:06am
@Teresa Durães: Thank you, Teresa.
@Paco Penas: Yes. It is like that. Thank you.
Brites from Lisboa, Portugal
Very good scene. Love the pose of this lovely girl!
14 Feb 2008 11:38pm
@Brites: Thank you, Brites
