I survived the jungle

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Hi all

Well I am alive! This is a miracle due to what I have been through in the past week. Treking in Thailand is hard work and like nothing I have ever experienced before (and not sure if want to again). We had a fantastic week but am now completely knackered and looking forward to getting a decent nights sleep tonight. Anway we set off from the Eco house on Monday morning and spent most of the day travelling there, stopping off at Tesco's (yes Tescos has made it to Thailand) for supplies as where warned that food very basic (not sure how you can get more basic than rice and veg but there you go). Spent an hour in Tesco's trying to decipher what was what as their food does not look like our food and ended up with tons of crisps and biscuits. No normal flavour but ones like Seaweed, Lobster, sweet basil etc. Anyway stopped for lunch half way (rice & veg) and arrived at the campsite in Phutoei National Park about 5pm. The campsite was not too bad for the first night the best thing being there were loos which we were not expecting athough not western loos but Asian (hole in the floor) loos. Great for the leg muscles but thats the only plus. Shared a tent with Karen who I have become good friends with, she is a gobby notherner (must be in the name) and is a good laugh as we share the same sad sense of humour. The tent only just fitted the pair of us in and was supposed to be a 3 man tent so thank god it was only us 2. Managed about 3 hours sleep due to it being bloody uncomfortable as no mattress or pillow just a sleeping bag and loads of noise coming from the jungle. On Tuesday morning they took us in a truck which we had to stand in the back of like a bunch of cattle to the area were we set off from. So we started treking about 10am luckily only having to carry our backpacks with lunch (rice & veg), water and mozzie repellant in as the rest of our stuff was taken on a truck to the campsite. Anyway the first 3 hours of the trek involved walking, crawling, climbing up a mountain which was almost vertical and there were no paths just dense jungle attacking you from above, below and the sides. It was the hardest exercise I have ever done in my life, it was a real struggle getting up the mountain as very slippery and you had to watch what you grabbed onto to pull yourself up as alot of insects and alot of the trees and branches were very sharp. Luckily although not many blokes in the group they had all opted for the treking which was handy as they seem to be more agile on their feet and stonger so helped us all up along with the Thai guides. We made it to the top with a lot of help from the Thai guides who were brilliant and very helpful, pulling us up when we got stuck and generally motivating us on when we thought we could't make it. I have never been so sweaty in my life or so out of breath, it became quite funny as at times we were taking a step up and then sliding back even further, it was either laugh or cry. Once we made it to the top (I am going to mention I was one of the first) we sat down and ate our bag of rice and veg and then had to go back down the other side of the mountain which was even more perilous. Although not as tiring still very step and every step you were having to watch as you were either stepping over something or ducking although the guides did go in front and hacked things out of the way as we went. Once we got to a waterfall we had a chance to rest again and clean ourselves slightly but then were told we had to climb up the side of the waterfall to get to the next campsite! I nearly died of fear as very high, very slippery and all rocks, I really thought I would not make it or someone would fall and injure themselves. In England you would never be able to do this without harnesses, helmets etc. Luckily one of the guides was in front of me along with Sander and Nick as they could see I was petrified and helped me up and we all looked out for each other and somehow made it to the top alive. After more treking we made it to the campsite about 5pm and collapsed in a heap before assembling our tents again for that night. A shower consisted of a hose with freezing water so me and Karen took it in turns hosing each other down which was a sight. The trek was fun and although loads of insects you don't notice as having to concentrate so hard on where your going and not falling over. Only saw a couple of big spiders but think my fear is going as could not care less. The next day they said would be much easier and would be visiting some caves near the campsite in the morning and a waterfall in the afternoon. It had rained loads the night before and the first cave involved walking up a steep hill which was a muddy path with trees and bramble either side . We ended up crawling up on our hands and knees to the guides amusement as they just seem to be able to run up and down the hills no trouble. Once I got to the top though I had a bit of a shock as Hannah started screaming and pointing at my hand, I looked down and it was covered in blood although I could not feel any pain. Everyone grabbed wetwipes and spent ages cleaning the blood with me standing there expecting to see a massive cut or minus a finger and all there was was a small cut on my finger! So luckily another plaster just needed to be added to my fingers (already had 3 fingers plastered). The caves were good but found out once inside that they house some great big spiders so most of us were soon back out of there. Getting back down was fun, Karen was in front of me and managed to slide back down on her backside which was hysterical to watch and it was then my turn. I had a great idea that I would slide down on both feet like a skier (the ski holiday was worth it in the end) and that Joe one of the Thai guides would catch me. All went well until started picking up speed and could not stop, missed Joe and headed straight for Karen who said "don't worry I will catch you". Anyway went straight into Karen, Joe then managed to grab me but Karen was a goner. We found her at the bottom of the next hill on her backside covered from head to foot in mud, she was grateful that I had got her down so quickly though. The rest of the group followed in similar styles on different parts of their anatomy and it became one big mud slide. We were then taken to 2 more caves which were pretty interesting and luckily on flat ground. Afterlunch some of the group went to a waterfall but a load of us stayed behind to relax and de mud and then the evening was spent chilling out and drinking Thai whiskly whilst learing Thai songs (don't expect me to remember them). On Thursday another cattle ride to a lake where we were staying for the night and had the afternoon to sunbath and swim. The lake was huge and surrounded by the jungle so very scenic although did not look too good to swim in as round the edge was a mass of mud, seaweed and plant life, however the middle looked clean and nice. The Thais there had a rowing boat and gave it to us to row out in so we could then swim in the middle. This would have been a sensible idea however Karen and I found a large rubber ring and decided that if we both laid on it we could paddle over the seaweed and make it to the middle. This worked on the way out, however after pratting about for an hour in deep water we were knackered on the way back and managed to flip the ring over just as we were going through the yucky bit, the result being 2 very smelly slimey people who were given priority to use the shower. On the Friday we were taken to a hotel and spent the afternoon by the pool and had a wonderful 2 hour long Thai massage in the evening as felt this was deserved. Now back at the eco house with all my clothes going straight into the wash and looking forward to a long lie in tomorrow. There were only 14 of us that went on the trek as the rest opted for teaching, although they said it was quite boring the teaching was a nightmare so think I made the right choice. Think I have now lost at least half a stone in weight (hooray) so far due to the healthy food and early eating times (dinner is at 5pm) and am quite brown although body is a bit of a mess after the treking with many bruises and cuts. I won't mention the hair as this is still a sore point, but Vay and Kate have straightners so may have a girly day tomorrow and treat myself to looking half decent. Most of the group are in Bangkok for the night tonight however me, Karen and Judith have decided to stay here and recover and will probably go to the swimming pool tomorrow. The week has been great although may take a while to recover both mentally and physically. It is the temple stay this week so we have to get up at 5am on monday to give alms to the monks? ( I have no idea either). We have given up asking Band (our co ordinator) anything because his English is not good and he does not always understand us to never gives us the right answer anyway. Thanks to all that sent me parcels it was much appreciated and I will let you know how I get on at the ophanage when that comes around. Take care all and I will update you again soon.

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Comments

[Sarah Keeley]

Oh me God!
Hey Boo, Jesus girly sounds like your having the time of your life! Some crazy shit youre getting up to, was glad to get your update and take care and i'll see you soon, Love ya, Sarah