Thursday, April 21, 2011

i love 'i-small all-smile'

Little Lek, is the always happy photographer at Thai lands beautiful Elephant Nature Park and the creator behind 'i-small all-smile'. Lek and her trusty side kick Mai (the parks videographer) become a part of your stay, capturing the precious and not so attractive moments of the week which are put onto a dvd for you to buy before you leave.
But Little Lek went the extra mile and put together a photo disc wrapped up in this gorgeous hand made paper parcel... just for me! Gift tag with special message, tied with string and all.



This post is just a little thanks to Lek for being so kind and making the Park all the more fun with all the more smiles.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Back from the land of the Thai...

... with exciting news. I received an email whilst in Surin with the surprising news that Koko Black (a fancy Melbourne based chocolate shop) had selected my entry as a top 20 finalist in their Easter Drawing Competition. The gorgeous works are currently on display in their shop front in Royal Arcade in Melbourne or on the website where you can vote in the peoples choice and go into the running to receive $100 worth of Koko Black chocolate! Very excited about the awards night on April 7th (Not expecting to win) but to meet Elise Hurst for the second time. She is truly inspirational for all artists and illustrators out there.

On another subject, spending a month in Thailand has been the most incredible experience of my life.

On the very first week in a group of 8, with our lovely guides Dino, Chai and Chom we set of on a trip called "Journey to Freedom". Staying at 3 remote Karen Hill tribe Villages in Mae Chaem, we witnessed the intricate weaving by the village woman, taught english at a small village school and trekked (not too mention on a newly broken little toe) through spectacular jungle alongside 2 fully grown elephants and then alongside a mother and her twin baby girls. Walking under waterfalls, seeing a viper and dining on lunch in surroundings far nicer than any 5 star restaurant i can imagine.

Then came a 2 week volunteer stay at the spectacular Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. To keep it short, the Thai people, mahouts and fellow volunteers were such a fun and friendly group, there's always the cuddlier comfort of the loveable cats and dogs, the food was an overwhelming banquet at every meal and last but not least, of course the gentle elephants that have suffered so much are living out the rest of their lives in piece and the safe hands of the parks founder, Lek Chailert (an inspirationally strong little thai woman).

It was sad to leave the park but a week on the Surin Project (linked with Elephant Nature Park) was a real eye-opener. One week was not nearly long enough to learn about the troubles facing the world's elephant population and there is plenty more work to be done on the project. So if you're thinking of travelling take a look at this productive and interactive project because it truly deserves all the support in the world. The mahouts with their elephants aboard the project are such a kind hearted group, welcoming you to their village and renting their homes as accommodation. We walked the elephants off the chains twice a day taking them to a source of water to bath, collected food for the eles cutting sugar cane with a machete and constructed a bamboo poo box. Pum cooks up a feast of fruity pancakes and other delicious things each morning whilst putting a smile on your face and Alex will answer or attempt to answer all the questions you can throw at him.
Kudos to Alex and Pum, this project is changing the world for the better in ways you can't possibly imagine. They are supporting the Thai community as a whole, the elephants futures are looking brighter and i wish them all the best.