I lied when I told people that I didnt have a favourite animal on this trip. I did and see a couple of videos below ( courtesy of Nici). The first ‘short’ is one of my favourites, being hosed down to cool off. The second at the watering tank. Watch until the end to see…

I fly home today. I have had an incredible time here in Laos. I have met some amazing people and animals. All places that I visited were so interesting, and the whole experience was, above all else, educational. Throughout the trip, I have tried to keep a positive outlook, but the truth is, behind the…

400 elephants are in captivity in Laos, mostly in locations where they are being fed and ridden by tourists. The ECC, the Elephant Conservation Centre, is very different to this. Firstly, you are not allowed to touch them or be within 10 meters of them, and secondly, you are quite sure that this is all…

I still feel really tired after last week, and the 36-degree heat and 60% humidity do little to perk you up. The only tonic that can work is being in the company of elephants who lumber around mirroring your slow pace and heavy steps. After a three-and-a-half-hour horrendous drive over pot-holed roads (Blightey, you ain’t…

When I was younger, around 10 years old, I remember visiting an auntie in northern England, where the neighbour kept a pet monkey. I believe it was tied to a post in the front garden. I was fascinated by it, and my 10-year-old self thought nothing of it except how adorable it was. If I…

My third week here was left open and unplanned. Ready to take up suggestions from the locals, other travellers or insights from my own reading ‘on the ground’. So here I am, Monday morning 5.35am ( still on gibbon o’clock time), back in Luang Prabang, lying in a proper bed in a room with AC…

Last night, my colleagues asked me how I rated this volunteering experience compared to others I have participated in. I had to say, ” really up there”, and as I toasted them a farewell over a Laos dinner, I thanked them all for renewing my faith in this form of travel after being the aged…

So today is sadly my last day on the project. I could stay a little longer, but the heat will climb further over the weekend, and I am getting too attached to both the human and non-human animals. I spent the morning with the bears, and the afternoon I went ‘upstairs’ for the last time.…

The most talked-about ‘thing’ in this project is the hot, arduous climb ‘upstairs’ to see the primates (pic below). Ella, in my eyes, the real star volunteer, made this trip three times today. At 5.30am in the dark, with me in tow at 8am and then again at 1pm. Not only is it a stiffling…