Chiang Mai Trek

Chiang Mai Pics


Chiang Mai Trekking Pics

The over night bus to CM wasn't the most plesent trip in of my life but I met some people on the bus & made plans to join them on their trek as I hadn't arranged anything myself. It turns out we ended up all going with another place where we were staying. I got my first hot shower in a long time which was nice! We had a look round the temples on the day we arrived, CM is just full of them, especially within the old city walls.

We left for the trek on the following day, a small group of 10. The trek was nearer Pai than CM & as the guide, Brad, said we didn't see any other people/groups trekking which was nice. We arrived for lunch time & there was a lot of kids around, one with a huge stag beatle stuck to him! As expected there was lots of walking in cool looking trekking shoes & old clothes. Also lots of slipping over on the slopes which was funny, no one got hurt so it was OK. We had some good food & a few beers in the evening.

The second day I had a hangover (age, I think). We trekked more up mother, father & baby hills (that that 'baby') & got to the waterfall where we had lunch & a swim. We then headed for the elephant trek which was the highlight for me. We sat on them for an hour & half & was guided through the jungle. I got soaked in the rain so everything in my bag was either soaked with rain or sweat - lovely. The group split up a lot on the walk to the second nights camp & me & someone else were in the middle so not with a guide & got a bit lost right near the end but 'Beckham' (one of the guides) found us on the road near the village.

The final day was a short walk to the bamboo rafts which we got down stream to the pickup point. This was also fun & we mamaged not to capsize the raft. I lost my stick thing but we found another floating downstream. After 3 days I had one of the best showers of my life! The trek was definately a highlight of the trip so far :)

After some deliberation I decided to head to the south islands the following day rather than to Laos, so got an overnight bus back to Bangkok but after more thinking & my visa running out in a week I've decided to near to Cambodia tomorrow instead & go to the south islands on my return to Thialand before going home. A week there now isn't enough to fit in a full moon party & a dive course & I don't want to rush & worry about visa problems in this country.

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