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Riding an elephant alone!
There were two elephants -- Ganesh and Jayanth -- at the camp. They had just returned from the forest after a morning walk and their first round of breakfast and were again getting ready for a second round at the camp!
The mahout asked us if we were interested in riding an elephant. I was a bit hesitant as there was nothing to hold on to. We had to sit on elephant back with just a rope to cling on to.
Suhas however stepped forward and climbed on the elephant's back with ease, as if he was mounting a horse!
The mahout ordered the elephant to walk. Suhas had a wonderful time and felt like a king, he said!
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The mahout spoke to the elephant in a language I didn't understand. Later I learnt he uses a different language for every command -- English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada words but all mixed up which to us sound like a totally new elephant language!
I too decided to take the elephant ride. It was a difficult climb for me and once on top I could sense the magnitude to the situation. Riding on such a huge and strong mammoth animal was not an easy task.
The ride cannot be compared to the elephant rides at the other wildlife sanctuaries where some four to five people sit in a wooden box.
Here I was the only one on top of the elephant with just a rope around its neck to cling on to.
God only knows what would have happened if the pachyderm had decided not listen to the mahout while I was atop!
Text and photograph: Anil S
Also read: My date with leopards and tuskers
Share YOUR travel stories and pix!Have you been to the Kaundinya wildlife sanctuary/ Horsley Hills? What was your favourite sight there? Where did you have the best meal? Do you have a hotel to recommend? Do post details on the message board below so other readers can benefit from your advice. Remember to add information on what was special about the restaurant, hotel or sight you visited, along with relevant telephone numbers and addresses.
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