Chiang Mai to Luang Pra Bang, Laos
Trip Start
Jun 15, 2008
1
4
36
Trip End
Jun 15, 2009
Luang Prabang,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Friday, June 27, 2008
This turned out to be an extremely long but enjoyable day. We were taking part in an adventure and Lifestyle(What?) Trek for the day. Our Songthaew ( A jeep with seats along each side, facing each other) picked us up at 8am and we made our way to our first stop on the tour, A visit to a longneck tribe in the jungle. It was very interesting to see these tribes paople, but it felt a little bit too muck like we were watching animals in a zoo for my liking.I said this to caroline but she was too busy feeding them bananas to care (Joke)
After the tribes people we made our way onto a orchid and butterfly farm ( once again we made our way in the songthaew, For what was meant to be a trek we did very little "Trekking" throughout the day) I have one word for this orchid and butterfly farm - SHIT. I have seen prettier moths at home on the outside light. After the Butterfly farm we made our way onto an elephant trek. This was quite fun but a little unnerving as the elephant trainers didnt seem to have complete control over their animals. The trek lasted for about an hour. The French couple, Alason and Laura, who were on the day with us got an elephant who was really hard to control. Myself and Caroline got great enjoyment out of watching their Elephant just take off down a steep embankment to try and find food while The Elephant trainer is screaming at him trying to get him to behave. Aw peoples misfortune is always so funny.
After Lunch we made our way to a water fall.
Trekking to the tribes
It was an hours trek to it, up through a jungle. I was absolutely wrecked when I got there but I have to say it was worth it because it was so refreshing and it was very very beautiful. Caroline just chilled as we all went for a swim.To finish off our day we went white water rafting down the river. This again was great fun as we all had to work in unison rowing and leaning to this side and that to avoid the rocks. After the white water rafting we had a gentle 15 minute Bamboo raft ride down the river. A lovely ending to a great day. We were shattered by the time we got back to our guest house so we had some dinner and an early night.
The next day we were trying to figure out what our next move was, travelwise. We knew we waned to go to Luang Prabang in Laos but we just werent sure how we were getting there. We could go by bus and boat which would take 3 days all together or we could fly, which would take an hour. We went for the easy option and decided to fly. 100 euro for the ticket, not bad. We spent the rest of the day just mooching round Chiang Mai and that evening we went to The Riverside bar and restaurant. We had a fantastic time in this place a few days earlier and our second time there did not dissapoint. It is recommended in the Lonely Planet guide book and I can definitly say it is now recommended by John and Caroline. Of course I decided to try out the local thai whiskey. It was actually very nice. Great night.
Wednesday 25th June
I AM NEVER DRINKING AGAIN.
Wake up with the hangover from hell and half a bottle of thai whiskey beside the bed.
with the Longneck tribes woman
I almost get sick looking at the bottle. With a dodgy head and stomach, myself and caroline just chil for the day getting a few odds and ends tied up. That night, relaxing watchin tv in our room, I make a pratt of myself. Caroline was reading FHM and there was a free sample of moisturiser in it. She throws it on the bed where I pick it up and have a look at it. I open the packet and push the substance out onto my hand and then proceed to rub it into my HAIR. I thought it was hair gel and the heat had melted it. Needless to say it gave Caroline a great laughThursday 26th June
We make our way to the airport with our friendly neighbourhood tuk tuk driver Dom. Dom used to hang around outside our guesthouse with his Tuk Tuk and we ended up using him five or six times during our stay in Chiang mai. Lovely fellow.
I am normally a nervous flyer. Not very Nervous, just a little. But for some reason flying in Asia makes me very nervous. For one thing it is the wet season over here and I do not want to get caught in one of those down pours trying to land. Secondly, when I seen our plane I became very nervous. It was a propeller plane not a jet plane. Should it make a difference, It makes a difference to me. And lastly, just as we are getting on the plane, Caroline informs me that most of the Embassies around the world advise their staff NOT to use Laos Airlines (The airline we are just boarding) because they wont release their safety records. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Thankfully the flight passes without incident (Except for a dodgy landing) and we disembark the plane to 33 degree heat.
