Chiang Mai Jungle Trek

I have just got back from three days in the jungle in northern Thailand! We took the overnight bus from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai then a hour taxi ride up into the hills. After stopping off at a flower plantation and the local market, we arrived at the elephant park where we had lunch and put on our super cool and fashionable sun hats in preparation for the elephant ride. We nicknamed our elephant Carlos (pretty sure he was the biggest one there) and we enjoyed quite a bumpy ride around the park! Carlos decided that he didn't want to follow all the other elephants and take the path up the hill so instead he climbed up what was almost a vertical muddy slope...with us on his back! We even got to sit forward on his neck but I can't help but feel that I was sat on his head for most of it! The best part was that they were non-comercial elephants in as much that they weren't tied up with chains and put on show (like the one at the floating market in Bangkok - not cool at all). Instead they are a small herd, looked after by a local family and rangers and they give tourists a ride once a day. They even play with the rangers by picking them up with their trunk and playing in the water! After that we began the two and a half hour walk up to the hill tribe village where we were staying that night. I don't think I have ever sweated so much in all my life! It was so hot but an awesome work out! After conquering the hills we arrived at the village and we set up camp in the bamboo hut. The shower was...a hose! We we very lucky to have a good group so everyone stayed up and talked for hours (by that time we had got the guitar out!) and our guide Sunni introduced us to the local children who sang (a really long) song in return for a few baht which may seem a very small amount to us but will go an extremely long way for them. The next morning we set off again in search for the much needed waterfall as it seemed to be even hotter than the day before. After venturing through the jungle for about an hour we reached the water and we were all in it within 30 seconds! It was so relaxing to just chill out in the plunge pool (minding the torrent of water of course!) Sunni cooked up lunch again over a bare fire and I can't remember what it was called but the dessert was the best fruit ever. The second part of day 2 took us deep into the jungle and the walk became difficult as we climbed up and down muddy hills, over and under bamboo trees and hopping between boulders in the river. After stopping off at another waterfall (check out the photos on facebook) we reached out camp for the second night. Similar to the first but a lot more remote. Equally big spiders and equally load chickens! The meal in evening was delicious - Thai green curry and pumpkin in a red curry paste. Amazing. That evening Sunni also told us a lot about the history of Chiang Mai and the Old City. If I had more time in Thailand i would definatly stay in Chiang Mai for a bit because it sounds like a really interesting place. Day three was all about the water and after a short walk to begin with we then went white water rafting (with a few near collisions with the rocks!) and bamboo rafting which was so funny...the raft was permanently under water and the guide managed to convince us all to stand up at the same time then he simply pushed it forward and everyone fell over but the girl on the front went flying into the river - I literally could not stop laughing! We then packed up and made our way back to Chiang Mai for the night bus to Bangkok. We now have one more night in Bangkok in quite a fancy hotel (part of an organised tour) and then we make our way down to Krabi on the west coast of southern Thailand (as opposed to the east coast where we we the other week) and then into malaysia arriving in Singapore in two weeks time. This was the only part of the trip we really pre-booked but it is the cheapest, easiest and best way to do a lot in the time we have. Next update will probably be in Singapore...mabye before if internet access allows.

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