Elephant Nature Park | Chiang Mai, Thailand

Another highlight of my trip to Southeast Asia was visiting the Elephant Nature Park.  This is an elephant rescue center in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  On the ride to the center, we watched a video of the mistreatment of Asian elephants.  It had me in tears in the back of the van.  But the work that Sangduen Chailert (Lek), has done warms your heart.  Lek rescues these elephants and they get to live in a natural environment with a river and mountains surrounding it.  And everyone who works or volunteers there loves these sensitive, beautiful giants.  We spent the day visiting, feeding and bathing them in the river.  
Lek has received Time Magazines (2005) Asian Hero of the Year award and the park has received many awards, one being from the Smithsonian.