It seems he had a wrap around his head. If that was obscuring his eyes it was probably a good idea. But elephants are like people, some are cool and some could mean a bad day. I remember once when a huge bull came too close to our 4x4, got it's tusk caught in the safety frame around the passengers in the back (for the tarp cover). He played the frame like a triangle and nearly gave a girl a heart attack as she was very close to becoming a kebab
It is amazing how the elephant was going one way and the guy sitting point blocked his was by putting out his left arm, tense moment....
The elephant had a good stare at him. Something curious looking but not a threat will perturb them, they really can think a lot like us. Elephant probably thought, ok, sheesh whatever, I was going somewhere.