An Unusual Love Affair

Ian Balchin has faced many challenges in his life including having Multiple Sclerosis for fifteen years but to travel 600 kilometers through Thailand's virgin jungle on the neck of an elephant was his most audacious so far. Ian Balchin is reunited with Maebunta; a she elephant, her name meant 'Good eye' to undertake this life changing pilgrimage. Many who knew of Ian Balchin's planned adventure believed he had lost his mind but then they hadn't reckoned on his resolve and determination.

An Unusual Love Affair is the story of their epic journey across some of Thailand's most inhospitable landscape and a memorable, touching account of Maebunta's early replacement by Maesanook (meaning 'Joy') and the gradual bonding between her and Ian.

Ian Balchin has faced many challenges in his life including having Multiple Sclerosis for fifteen years but to travel 600 kilometers through Thailand's virgin jungle on the neck of an elephant was his most audacious so far. Ian Balchin is reunited with Maebunta; a she elephant, her name meant 'Good eye' to undertake this life changing pilgrimage. Many who knew of Ian Balchin's planned adventure believed he had lost his mind but then they hadn't reckoned on his resolve and determination.

An Unusual Love Affair is the story of their epic journey across some of Thailand's most inhospitable landscape and a memorable, touching account of Maebunta's early replacement by Maesanook (meaning 'Joy') and the gradual bonding between her and Ian.

Ian Balchin has worked for many global public companies up to 1990, most at senior management level and then at twenty-four years old he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The next two years was spent in and out of hospital before the arrival of his daughter, Jasmine, re-ignited his will to live. Over the following four years he enjoyed sharing in the adventures of parenthood, as well as coping with the daily roller coaster of his MS. 

In 1996 Ian Balchin set-up a specialist travel company together with his older brother and Ian's life-long friend Gus and together, they managed to create one of the leading up-market adventure travel companies in Southeast Asia. In 1997 he was asked to establish a unique elephant safari in northern Thailand and through this, his love for the Asian elephant was established. Capital Media made a documentary of his elephant safari in 1998 which was aired throughout Asia, Europe and North America.

In 2000 his multiple sclerosis entered yet another challenging phase and yet undeterred, he continues to rise to life's challenge. Ian Balchin divides his time between his daughter in England and his passion for life, people and the odd elephant.