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Published: August 8th 2007
Rice Farm
One day, all this will be yours...Last time we left you on and knife edge, cliffhanger as to where we would go next.
After a roll of the dice, we decided that we'd spend more time in Thailand, rather than go Hong Kong. Since were now Bangkok veterans, we headed straight for a tour office to book up a Trekking (thats right Trekking) tour of the Northern highlands around Chiang Mai. One unpleasent, over-night bus journey later, we arrived in Chiang Mai. Sadly, I'd contracted some kind of "Jungle Fever" on the bus journey and so we had to put off the trekking for a day. This time, I have no Spiders or conspiracies to blame!!
Finally got started on our tour the next day, and boarded our Pimped up Jeep (think America meets the Dingles!) to the Mountains. Part one of the Iteninery was an Elephant Trek through the Jungle. This Elephant ride turned out to be much better than our disaster in Vietnam, although we did get lumbered with the only Elephant that had a case of the trots!! On reflection, this was probably more unpleasant for the people behind us, who had to endure a chorus of flatulance!! On the bright side,
Elephant Hugging!
Lucy said Hugging the Elephant was slightly better than hugging me!! I was able to sneek out several of my own farts without them being noticed!!
After the Elephant ride, we got the chance to start trekking under our own steam. Similar to our adventure in Cat Ba (See Vietnam), this turned out to be a leg aching, sweaty affair. It didn't help that I was still feeling ropey - but I managed see it through ok. The trek took us through jungle and rice fields, finally arriving at a Hillside tribe village for our first luxurious nights sleep. The Guide advised us to get a long nights sleep, in preperation for "many, many trekking" the next day!!
Woke up full of the joys of spring, ready for serious days trekking action. Ok,ok - Truth is we woke up feeling like crap, full of dread at the 6 hour trek ahead of us. Similar to the previous day, the trek took us up and down hills, through jungles and past countless photo opportunities. It was pretty hard going; but great fun. Some the the obstacles we encountered were totally rediculous. Think Crystal maze meets Indiana Jones and your someway towards imagining the fun we had! It didn't help that
Waterfall Romance
My perfect Mermaid! the guide kept telling us, "One more Hour" -then an hour later, "one more hour". We were suitably sweaty and dirty by the end. Remember the mud bath we had in Vietnam? Well, we were only marginally less muddy than that!! The "adventure" ended at a beautiful little waterfall, where we were to spend the night. Normally, we would have looked at the accomodation with horror but, we were so exhausted, we would have slept anywhere. Before dinner, We took a nice cold power shower under the waterfall. After dinner, we pretty much collapsed into bed and slept like babies.
The final Morning was yet another trek, followed by a Bamboo rafting ride. Once we got over the intial fear, this turned out to be amazing fun. The fear factor was helped, when, at one point, the raft driver (do i say driver!!?) stepped off and the water only came up to his knees. Before this, we were convinced that we might drown!! After a wet and bumpy hour, we arrived back to our Jeep and headed back to Chiang Mai City. Inspite of the tired legs, we had a really, really good time on the trip. Took another
Chiang Mai Trek- Day One
She was smiling now, little did she know what was in store for her... overnight bus back to Bangkok; contracted no tropical diseases this time!!
Writing now from Bangkok (Again), where we're just stopping over until our flight to Southern Thailand (beaches -yay!) tomorrow.
So, its ta ta for now.
Dan and Lucy
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dad
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wimps ahoy
waterfall reminded us of cranny falls minus the rafts ! you would be arrested if you tried to shower under our waterfall , have tried it . am thinking of rafting down the river into the village tomorrow morning , i hasten to add , before the locals are up and about ! thinking of treking up the hills , but can't find an elephant anywhere. you are not the only ones who are intrepid travellers , we once spent the whole day in carnfunnock country park so there ! love and miss you both, keep safe.