Back again...

Well, the trip over was uneventful. About 10 hours shorter than last time (thanks to the fact that I've relocated to Calgary, and I had shorter connections). Realized when I got here that I didn't really miss Thai cities. I think my Lonely Planet guidebook just about sums it up when it suggests that tourists avoid crossing the street. Traffic is insane here - pedestrians have absolutely zero right of way; even crossing at crosswalks (which are a rarity), it's sort of like playing Russian Roulette as to whether the cars will stop or not...

I've only been gone 2 months, but in some ways, the park has changed a lot. There are 5 new elephants, bringing the total to 30. We have a new mother & baby (1 month old), a 20 year old elephant who stepped on a landmine in Burma & lost part of her foot, as well as a female 6 year old, and another older girl. It's busy!

Unfortunately, the week before I got back, 4 of Michelle & Karl's dogs died. They think they must have eaten a poisonned rat or something, because they were long, drawn-out deaths, but none of the other dogs were affected.

Anyhow, I'm about to head back up to the park. Just came into the city for the evening to do some work & buy a phone card. Will write more later! :)