My Adventures in Chiang Mai
Trip Start
Dec 28, 2005
1
4
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Trip End
Sep 01, 2006
Chiang Mai,
Thailand
Friday, January 6, 2006
Arrived late after travelling by moving fridge (otherwise known as an air-con coach). Spent our first day just chilling out - upgraded to a nicer room (still cheap), found sandwiches (yay!) and visited the night bazaar, which was amazing, shopping heaven! Also signed up for a 3 day/2 night trek...
The Trek (WARNING: Got a bit carried away writing this so feel free to skim read!)
Now it's over it feels like it wasn't real. I did so many things I never thought I could do and have never done before - and possibly won't again. Our guide, Jay, was incredible - he was such a gentleman, so kind and helpful
Baby elephants
. He cooked everything for us (including making a natural kitchen in the jungle), carried things for us when we were struggling, told us loads of information about our surroundings (showed us these leaves that make bubbles!?) and was just very lovely. So anyway, we all climbed into a truck (the group were all really good people - got along well) and off we went... First off we climbed a waterfall which seemed to be at a 90 degree angle - was so frightened I was shaking. Caz and I plus the two girls we hooked up with were adamant we weren't able to do it but after watching the guide hop up it (I swear he is super-human) and a few others went up we decided to give it a go. It was surprisingly easy, but still scary when you looked down (no harness - just a load of water coming down on your head) - got soaking wet! Was amazing - possibly my favourite part of the trip - after doing one half we were determined we would do the whole thing even though we didn't have to - amazing! We were so proud of ourselves!!
After that we started our trek... Soooooooo hard! I was the least fit and really struggling, but I did it! We had to go up such hard hills for hours - I was so relieved when we were at the top and I knew we only had to go down - although still pretty tough at times - spesh when there were huge drops on one side
Baby elephants again!
! Gorgeous scenery everywhere - spotted a giant elephant's head poking out of some trees at one point - brilliant!On both evenings we stayed in these wooden houses - tribal villages. on the first night our shower was a stream and on the second we had a hose in a tin shed - mmm. The second night was the best because the locals were celebrating as Saturday is their religious day - they sang and danced for us - then our group stayed around the camp fire talking. Saw shooting stars on both nights - very exciting! Found it quite hard to sleep - worried I'd need the toilet in the middle of the night (squatters)!
The next day we woke up to see elephants outside our door! That morning we went elephant riding - was fantastic. They were huge but so gentle. Again we found ourselves clutching on for our dear lives at 90 degrees when the elephant had to step down hill! After our ride we began another trek through the jungle - easier at first cos through rivers and flatish land but then it got really difficult. Was so physically tiring I really can't believe I made it - plus at times it was so dangerous with huge drops or incredibly steep and slippy parts. Went crashing into a tree at one point - really hurt!! But I survived!
The last day of the trek was more easy going. Walked on generally flat land along a river and then went bamboo rafting. Our "driver" was a bit of a wild one - ended up having a raft war with another raft which ended in our raft going into the riverside with the other raft kind of stuck underneath us and both "drivers" in the river (luckily I was there to help steer - hee hee) - very funny - again, got pretty wet. I swear I have never in my life been so filthy dirty - my clothes are wrecked and my body was caked in mud by the time we got back to our hostel. I've never enjoyed a shower so much!
Comments
Can't wait!
It all sounds so amazing...really cant wait 2 get out there! Want all the details of all the places you've been (esp this Jay character!) so i can get in on the action! Miss u! xxxxx
Sounds familiar..
Yo Helen!
Me and Lau have just read your entry and it sounds EXACTLY like our trek in Chiang Mai - it's so cool!
Are you going through Laos? We'd really recommend it, it's an amazing place. Plus if you do, try and check out a forest roof village where you're 40m up in the rainforest in tree houses, with zip-lines in between them all. We only heard about it after we'd left, but it sounds awesome, if a little scary!! I think it might be the Gibbon Experience - http://www.greendiscoverylaos.com/namtha_trek.htm - at the bottom..
Anyways, if you like, check out our site: http://spaces.msn.com/members/lauraandsteve/
Enjoy your travels & catch up with you back home (booo!)
Pangs x x
Re: Sounds familiar..
Hi! Hopefully going through Laos in August - really want to, just depends on the finances! Your blog is cool - sounds like you had an amazing time - hope you're still having fun back in England. Are you guys living in London now? Reckon everyone from Notts should def make the move there - only place to be next year...
See you back home for a good ole reunion xx
Re: Can't wait!
If you do go to Chiang Mai for the trekking def go with Jay - he is the perfect man - S.K. Guesthouse - do it! xx