'Elephants in the mist' by Jill Gocher

Elephants? In Bali? What next? High up in the Taro jungles north of Ubud is a total elephant haven where elephants rescued from Sumatra’s depleted jungles can find a piece of peace in very comfortable surroundings.

The day starts with a drive through Ubud, passing verdant rice and countryside surroundings before entering the open jungle. The entrance to the elephant park changes to a garden environment – where an elegant planting of palms and exotic tropical plants create an environment reminiscent of the award winning Singapore Zoo. The pleasing outbuildings include an elephant museum and a very cute elephant shop selling elephant memorabilia all in the best possible taste.

The park has been visited by plenty of luminaries’ including the late crocodile hunter himself – Steve Irwin (who luminaries it “the best elephant park I have ever seen”) and football superhero David Beckham, not to mention action movie star Dolf Lundgren, Claudia Schiffer, Julian Lennon and Jen Claude Van Damme. Whew!
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