Each day as we left the GG hotel we would cross the road to say hi to Dianne in her shop. Often the road was extremely difficult... But we had a saviour, GEDE at the small travel shop right next to the GG. Out he would step and stop traffic for us, He was literally a life saver.
When it was time to book for the elephant ride in TARO naturally we booked thru him... we decided from discussion on the forum to go with bali adventure tours.
We were pick up bright and early for our adventure, with mum paying a discount price for lunch and transport but no ride... I was concerned that my son would get car sick as coming from the Northern territory he has never experienced windy road...
The drive started well, but once we hit the hills the driver got that strange look in his eye and hit the gas... I think we were nearly killed more than once.. I SWEAR the back wheel was in thin air as we rounded one particularly narrow hair pin bend...
All the passengers were deathly quiet as we arrived and kissed the ground in relief...(kidding, but i felt like it)
Taro was lovely, alot of hard work must have gone into the beautiful surrounds...Look up if you go,there are some lovely orchids...
Stepping out onto the elephant was the hardest part, especially for someone who is petrified of hieghts, but i managed... My son hopped on and we were off with Fatima the elephant... Make sure you look to your left as you leave the compound to see the volcano...
Further up the road we all stopped and cameras were exchanged by the drivers so they could take a photo of us on our elephant with our camera... really well done and while most elephants simply smiled... One even played the harmonica for its picture... Then the ride commenced... my elephant constantly stripped the beautiful crotons as it passed but the have to eat a huge amount every day... we got to see bali cattle dogs pigs etc from our lofty perch... and eventually returned to the park to have a dip in the water... YOU DO NOT GET WET... dont panic... And once again your camera is passed to someone on the shore for more amazing pics...
Once you get off your elephant you are posed on their knee... more photos... They will take a pic and put it on a shirt if you want, not my cup of tea but cute...You can then spend quite a while hand feeding the elephants including a baby and a 4 year old... IT WAS GREAT!!!...
Lunch was a buffet, but i could not do it justice as I was worried about the twists and turns to come.
The elephants then did a show,and luckily for us it was OUR elephant Fatima who was one of the 3 performers so we felt very excited...
Sadly it was soon time to go... into our little van and back down the mountain... eyes closed and hang on...
Well it was an expensive day for Bali, but wow what memories and photos we have...