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Published: March 1st 2008
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On Monday evening we got on a bus bound for Chiang Mai in the North of Thailand to do some trekking in the rainforest. We didn't know quite what to expect really, mosiquitos, spiders and elephants. We had no idea. We arrived in Chiang Mai at about 6am on tuesday, caught up on a few hours sleep in the guesthouse and went to explore Chaing Mai on Tuesday, before the trekking began on Wednesday. We wondered through the city in the unbearable heat and found a bar, owned by an American called Tim. We bought some beers and played pool to escape the heat of the day. He was a dead nice guy who had come over from California to retire and set up a bar to pass the time. He had also started the Bear Valley resort in California, which was pretty cool.
After some food, we explored the famous Chiang Mai Bazaar night market where anything could be bought. I bought a nice (blue and white) Thailand football shirt. We then headed to bed as it could be a long day tomorrow. We started at 9am.
Up at about 8, shower and breakfast and we met our
guide Rocky! He was a Thai guide and had been trekking for 6 years, spoke 4 languages and loved Thai boxing. He was our little star and had the best laugh going. we hopped in the back of a pickup and set off an hour and a half into the jungle. When we arrived the first thing we did was elephant riding. This was ok, but actually I thought quite cruel on the animals. There are however stunning creatures and fantastic to see up close. We also fed them with bananas which was very entertaining as we got covered in elephant snot. Afterwards we ate and started the trek proper.
The heat was intense and walking in the mid afternoon sun was not the best time to be walking, but we were all heavily stocked up on fluids and took regular breaks. The first day of trekking wasn't that challenging and we walked for about 3 hours before coming to a waterfall in the river. Time to test the waterproof camera. We all took a swim in the water and it was so refreshing. It was fantastic. A great Gap Year experience. Swimming in a Thai Jungle Waterfall.
A short walk later and we arrived at our accomadation which was a small villiage hosted by a hill tribe. The huts were basic, but clean and they no TV and only 3 hours of solar power a day. What thay did have however was a football pitch, where we were challenged to a game by the local boys. Given the numbers were uneven and I was wearing my Thai shirt, I had to play for locals in the game. It was a close knit affair, aside from the fact Nick seemed to think he was plying for Thailand when he scored 2 own goals. Going into the final and very dipomatic next goal wins stage, I had 2 goals to my name and was looking for my hat trick in true Geoff Hurst fashion. The ball spilled from the area sat up perfectly and smack, top left hand corner. The locals were very impressed with my input and I was gloating that I had beaten everyone else.
That night we saw the most beautiful night sky ever. It was the clearest time I've ever seen the night, due to our remoteness from the outside world. We stood gazing
up at the sky for well over an hour silently thinking to ourselves and reflecting on a fantastic day and year we were having.
After rising to a cockrel metres outside our hut crowing at dawn we began the middle leg of the trek, and what we feared was the longest. Setting of after a breakfast of pancakes at about 11.30 the sun was at full strength. It was hard going but the journey was shorter than expected, after about 90 minutes travel we stopped for lunch at a lagoon and had a swim. The noodles for lunch were wrapped in a banana leaf which felt quite cool and Rocky and his friend Chad carved us chopsticks from bamboo shots nearby with a knife. True trekking style. We had another swim and after another 10 minutes of so we arrived at our camp for the night, alot sooner than expected. It was even more remote than before. at the base at a small fall there was no electricity whatsoever and not even a toilet. We settled in once again and then marveled at the beautiful surroundings. For dinner that night was a new experience.
BBQ Pork. Except this
wasn 't the pork you found clean and wrapped on the shelf of a supermarket. Our pig was alive. I'm not a against eating meat. But it certainly rubs it in when you see your food killed in front of you, stripped, gutted, chopped and finally roasted over an open fire. It was all an experience, and whilst not enjoybale definaltely interesting. The pork was very nice though. We went to bed pretty early that night as there was no lights except torch and candle by which to see.
Yesterday then we arose and walking again. Leaving the camp for the last time before heading back to civilisation. The longest trek yet, at about 4 hours saw us arrive at another lagoon, so another swim was in order. An hour later we reached a small town where we ate lunch, and prepared ourselves for the final task of the trek. Rafting. 6 thick bamboo shoots made one raft, whcih was steered by one person standing at the front and one at the back. It was great as we all got try steering down the river, which was at some points pretty fast flowing. Halfway down the river there was
a group of school children on some kind of camp, all the boys had football shirts on, and were very happy to see me wearing my Thai shirt. Whist most children had Man United or Liverpool shirts, I am proud to comfirm I have found a Thai supporter of Ipswich Town FC, who was wearing the TXU Energy shirt of a few years ago with great pride. I only wish I took a picture because no-one else believed me.
We arrived back in Chinag Mai after a great journey back which involved standing on the tail of a pickup and trying to dry our clothes in the wind. Even after they were dry we still stood on the back giving high fives to passing bikes and feeling the air rush against our faces. Our bus was at 6pm and we just arrived back in Bangkok a few hours ago, at 6am, we are waiting for our room top be cleaned.
To get out of the cities for a short time was fantastic and we have all experienced new things in the last few days, not all of them pleasant, but certainly worthwhile. We now havew one night in
Bangkok before going to Khanchanburi and Tiger Temple and then we head South to the Thai islands!
J x
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Emma
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Wow!!
heya James, your trip sounds fantastic - waterfalls look very appealing but i'm not sure about the pork you had for tea!! It sounds like a real experience tho - we're happily stay with one of my uncles friends at the mo so glad to finally do some washing. The thailand islands are amazing - especially the phi phi islands - you'll have a great time. Hope to see you in Cairns lots of love emma xx