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Published: July 28th 2010
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White water rafting was awesome. We left Sunday morning with a group of 30 others. It was a slow start getting everyone organised and into their safety gear. We made the 1 hour trip to our starting point by way of an openbacked ute and even the fresh air couldn't stop me from feeling the effects of the 600 or so curves. Luckily, I felt much better once I got out of the ute and onto solid ground.
Just as we were about to climb aboard our rafts it started to rain. Nothing was going to put a dampener on our trip so we just paddled harder to keep warm and waited for the sun to come back out. The rain didn't last long and soon enough the sun was beating down making us hot in our safety jackets and helmets. Our team was affectionately named the "International All Stars" due to the various nationalities ( Holland, German/Spanish, Iran, Norway and us). It was a great group and we spent the first few hours getting to know each other's travel stories and backgrounds.
Before lunch things were pretty mild rafting wise but after that we had some pretty wild
times and had to listen to our guide Noon carefully to make sure we didn't smash into the protruding rocks.
The water levels were pretty low which made things more fun. Throughout the trip we got stuck several times and had to move between the front and back of the boat to try and shift the weight accordingly. At one stage on the second day I fell out of the boat. I was rescued quickly and Lisa took good care of me. There was a close call when I nearly got my legs crushed between the raft and the rocks. It was a high adrenalin expereince.
We were allowed to get out of the raft and swim the river alot on the second day. This was blissful as the sun was strong and we were sunburnt by that stage. Unfortunately the communication between guide and guest wasn't always understood and at one stage we went floating down the river when the rocks were too shallow and we suffered bruises as a result. Lisa has an almighty corker on her thigh due to this.
The trip was a great success. We shared so many laughs and met delightful people.
Dinner time
This was a well deserved meal and I promise it was the best food we have eatern in Thailand. The food and accomodation was excellent by trekking standards. The guides limited knowledge of english was a little problematic at times but this didn't stop the fun.
We floated into the Mae Hong Song National Park Headquarters later than expected and had to wait around for transport back to Pai. We wearily rolled back into Pai (later still largely due to our terrible driver who rode the brake the entire way and still isn't up to speed on gear changes) at 8.30pm. Luckily Lisa had arranged for our old GH to hold a room for us. We ate, showered and climbed into bed asap.
Yesterday was a bit of a nothing day as we recovered from sore muscles and overall exhaustion. Today marks 1 week left in SE Asia. This time next week I'll be off to China. This is good and bad as I am sad to leave Lisa but happy to continue my adventures and get home for a few weeks.
Before I go I want to say Happy Birthday to Mia. Hope you have a wonderful day sis. I promise to give you birthday love when I get home. xxxx
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brenda
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Mia's birthday
Hi darling, I can't believe it is one year since we celebrated Mia's birthday in Rome. She reminded me of this fact when I went to her home before school this morning. Next year when it is her birthday, you will be remembering the fact that you were in Pai!!! I wonder where you will be and what you will be doing then??? Am so glad you and Lisa enjoyed the rafting and only have bruises from it.... when Mike and Chris went to Bali with Mike's brother, Rob badly injured his arm and/or shoulder and it wrecked their trip somewhat! I have heaps of marking to do, so I must go. All my love,Mum.