So we were woken in the wee small hours, not only by the usual cockerels and the local dogs but a much louder noise – thunder? Mating frogs? No an elephant in the last stages of labour, yes really. We were all up listening, breathing every contraction with her. We decided to go for a walk to see the sunrise and pass her yard. We were welcomed in as she had just been born. 
They were walking her around supporting her with a cloth to keep her upright, we thought seeing the elephant pregnant was something else, but this was just awesome. There was so much care and pride with her and mum. All the villagers appeared quickly offering beer, bananas, breakfast, sand etc. As mum was so tall baby couldn’t reach her to suckle so they built a mountain of sand under mum to climb. By about 10 am she was just trying to suckle.
On the way to kayaking, we stopped at the school where we had been making the pigsty and gave the children some balls. They were so happy. 
We arrived at the river and pulled the kayaks out of the shed. No cameras on the kayak as we didnt trust ourselves!! 
Alison and I paired up and took a zigzag route upstream just to make it a bit more challenging, it was a pleasant float back down to the start. The major problem was the ceremonial ripping of the elephant shorts getting out of the kayak!!
After lunch, we headed back to Surin via the silk factory. Amazing how the 4 women worked the one loom together to make a piece of silk. 
Such a skill that is sadly dying out. Bought a few goodies for people at home, then back on the truck to take us back to Surin.
Our lovely comfy room again… sat on the balcony in bra and shorts enjoying a beer.
We went out for a meal at room 30 altogether, I can quite honestly say that it was a shambles, everyone got meals too spicy, or didn’t get their meal or drink at all. Mine was fantastic though, Tom yam kai – chicken and coconut soup.
When it came to paying, I paid mine first, no problem but had 6 pieces of paper attached for it. After myself, they made a real balls-up of everything, taking at least 20 mins for each other guest. Such a pity as the experience could have been so different.
Rambling With Ruthie 