Just returned from a 3 day treck. First thing I did was shower and have the luxury of toilet paper.
Talk about roughing it!!!!!!!!
We started in a van going to a local market where I got a Thai bandana (which today stained my forehead blue). Next we go to a village up north for some local Thai food. I was with a couple from Sydney on their honey moon, and a Dutch couple, in there 50's, who teach.
Next the elephant ride... Nicole and I sat on the chair while her husband Morry sat on the elephant’s neck. According to him you can get ring worm doing that. We trekked for an hour stopping to pay 20 Baht for bananas for the elephant. The Dutch couple follow us behind while the elephants stop to drink.
The other elephant (who must be a teenager) decides to spray the Dutch couple with water from the river... they got covered; only it wasn't water it was mud. They were covered... think the elephant drivers did that deliberately.
Next we hiked, starting from 2pm, the hottest time of day. The Sydney couple went off miles ahead and kept telling the guide to wait (it was his 16th day straight, of doing this trek). Guess who was left behind... the smokers (or ex-smoker).
God help me on the rest of them... we then stopped and swam in a waterfall...XX@XXX freezing!
Got to the tribal village where we drank beer. The guide says we can walk round the village... we sat and drunk more beer.
That was the only way to sleep in the hut that we are all sharing with mossie nets a mattress that was 10mm thin on planks.
Needless to say with the 4.30 morning chorus of cockerels and dogs fighting, the Dutch snoring no one had any sleep. Best meal ever in Thailand though.
Next day we left the Dutch couple (they only did 2 days) and guess what another steep hill a 2 hr trek in uk time, our guides time 1 hr we get to another waterfall and swim...this went on with 2 different tribes another hut, another waterfall and more hills.
The blisters I have will break Guinness book of records.
Finishing off today with a bamboo raft, which is the Thai version of white water, rafting on bamboo. In other words a big race and water fight against any other tourists.
Was great would do again although feel half dead. 2nd days lunch was a bit unique I head extra meat... a caterpillar... hey when in Rome!
Now going off with the honey moon couple for the most expensive Thai meal ever. We all deserve it.
Tomorrow Tourist sights of Chiang Mai!
Love to you all and Darren if you get this what’s your personal email address?