Ruby Wax to Rudy Maxa (more multimedia - set your VCR)
Hot on the heels of Ruby Wax's piece managing to combine cold towels, George Clooney and our very own Puang Phet in one sentence (well, almost) and my alleged performance in the back of a New York Taxi (reported now from two sources despite my cast iron alibi) comes news of another chance for our American cousins to see a little of what we do.
Rudy spent a few days with us, mainly concentrating on the Four Seasons side of the hill and a long shooting session down in the baby camp.
Set those VCR's!
________________________
Rudy Maxa's World
Thailand, Golden Triangle
Saturday, August 9
2 p.m. (Analog)
(30 mins) CC LTR
Thailand, Golden Triangle
Saturday, August 9
2 p.m. (Analog)
(30 mins) CC LTR
|
Thailand, Golden Triangle Tea plantations have replaced the opium fields in northern Thailand, but dense jungle still covers much of the area where Thailand borders Burma and Laos. Visit an Akha hill tribe village trying to maintain its traditions in the face of tourism. Meet elephants rescued from life in Bangkok at an elephant orphanage. Join Rudy as he takes mahout lessons and gets soaked steering his elephant into the river that separates Thailand from Burma. Explore the small villages that mark this part of the country and meet a Buddhist monk who uses horses, martial arts, and religion to steer young men away from the temptations of drugs being produced across the border in Burma. The saffron robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid colors of local blossoms, and the brilliant emerald of rice fields make the Golden Triangle a magical corner of the world. |
Posted by John Roberts at Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:55:00 GMT 
Categories: Golden Triangle Elephants, Public Service Broadcast
Categories: Golden Triangle Elephants, Public Service Broadcast
Serene dream: Ruby Wax thinks big in Thailand and Laos
The landscape of Laos is glorious to behold – and its inhabitants radiate inner calm. Ruby Wax travelled there to discover her spiritual side, by way of northern Thailand, a disobedient elephant and a George Clooney lookalike
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Ruby Wax was given riding lessons on a girl elephant called Handful of Diamonds.
After a four-hour drive, I stepped on to a motorised canoe for a trip along a tiny stream through a Heart of Darkness jungle. At a dock we were greeted by more washcloths, so I knew we were at our destination. Sticking out of the side of a mountain was the Four Seasons Tented Elephant Camp, smack in the Golden Triangle. If you were doing a foxtrot and stepped forward you'd be in Burma, sideways you'd be in Laos and backwards you'd end up in Thailand. After you climb a vertical stairway, you arrive in a bamboo forest filled with birds the colour of tropical fish, which tweet at such a deafening decibel you think you're in some kind of bird lunatic asylum.
I was told why it's an elephant camp by the general manager, a dead ringer for George Clooney. I really wanted him to like me so I tried to look concerned. He told me that logging by elephants ended in 1989 by royal decree, so there was a glut of out-of-work elephants. Jobless, many had to go out and "walk the streets" in Bangkok. Some were even given alcohol and got drunk to entertain the crowds. I wanted to say "I've done that", but George would have gone right off me there and then. So what the Four Seasons did is set up a rescue service. Guests can support an individual elephant. Manolo Blahnik, the shoe designer, has created a women's shoe, the proceeds of which go to feed an elephant at the hotel called Melinda. I tried to see Melinda but she wouldn't come out of her villa.
Each morning, you mount one of these mammals and ride him or her for the day. I was given lessons on a girl elephant called Handful of Diamonds. "Map lung!" apparently means "lower your head", and sure enough, Handful of Diamonds' giant head bent down, so I clambered up her face. If you shouted "Bai" she went straight ahead; "Ben" meant turn. So there I was, shouting my instructions, and suddenly Handful of Diamonds decided to ignore me and head for the river, where she submerged like a submarine. When she came up I was spread-eagled on her behind.
Finally, at sunset, I dismounted with my legs in the splits position and withdrew to my suite, which was a white tent, fully air-conditioned and jutting out of the mountainside. Very five-star Indiana Jones. Like the Pis experience, I fell in love with my elephant and am heartbroken to know right now someone else is climbing up her forehead. Elephants are so fickle.
Reply to this
Oh my god. Ruby Wax spread-eagled on Handful of Diamonds behind.
Has Handful of Diamonds recovered?
Reply to this
Christian Louboutin is very successful in the area of Louboutin Shoes
. The Christian Louboutin Pumps
which are designed by him are so special. Looking at the gorgeous Christian Louboutin Boots
, I smiled. Since then, Christian Louboutin Sandals
became a best friend of mine.
Reply to this