Chiang Mai Trekking

When I signed up for the 3 day trek I didn't really know what to expect but it is fair to say having made it back in one piece I am far from disappointed. It was an amazing experience - one of the highlights so far for sure.

My group consisted of the two guys from Newcastle I had made the journey from Bangkok with, a fellow Paddy from Tipp, a French couple, an Italian couple and myself. After making it to the mountain region where we would set off from on our first day guide our tour guide 'Wee' cooked up some lunch for us and we set off.

The first day was the toughest for sure - hiking up the mountain some 1200 meters in scorching heat. I was sweating in parts of my body I didn't know I could sweat! It took us a few hours to make it to tribe base but once we got there, there was a general sense of accomplishment! I was never so glad to see a shower in all my life, even if it was a tap with freezing cold water coming out of it and overlooking a pig sty! The views from our hut were something else - it really was amazing and so far removed from everywhere.

After a cold beer (which was sold by the lady who owned the hut we were staying in) we wandered about the village and checked out where some monks were living and the local school. Kids were just running wild in bare feet playing with each other without a care in the world.

It didn't take long for the sun to go down and without any lecky we all sat around by candlelight and lapped up the best green curry I have possibly ever had, that again was cooked up by Wee over an open fire. Just as we were about to head to bed (which was one big shared room with matresses on the ground and mossy nets hanging over our heads) a guy walks into where we were sitting and we were informed by Wee that he was selling opium for anyone that wished to try it.....some did of course and others didn't...not mentioning any names!!

The second day of the trip was a lot less hard work as we were working our way downhill to our camp base for the second night. We also got to stop off and swim at two waterfalls which made it all the more fun. Even though it was well trodden tracks that we were hiking on, it really didn't feel like there were many others around and you had the general feeling that you were totally removed from everything - it is very well organised and you really see how they live and we are just passing through.

Our base for the second night was a similar hut right at the rivers edge with rapids making deafening noise outside - little sleep was had by anyone that night. After washing up and again having another slap up meal served up by Wee we sat around drinking beer and playing cards - Shithead to be exact - was a good way to pass the time!

After brekkie on our last day then we were treated to an elephant ride which was a great experience - the setting definitely made it. Then we moved onto white water rafting which set off from outside our hut - it was a laugh a minute. After that we stopped off further down the river for a calm float along the river on bamboo rafts. An easy day compared to the previous two! Then after one final meal cooked up by Wee it was time to go home and be dropped back to our guest houses.........needless to say we were all very weary when we finally got 'home'!

As much as I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the trip, I was never so glad to see a shower and a proper bed in all my life. You see I consider myself to be a part time back packer....after a few days of roughing it I like my home comforts! I felt I really had earned my massage that I went for yesterday and again today!!

Since the trek finished I have been hanging about Chiang Mai which is a lovely city and so different to anywhere else I have been in Thailand. The best and cheapest way to get about is to stop the red taxis that come by every few seconds. You tell the driver where you are going (it is best to have someone write it for you in Thai though as the drivers English is limited) & hop in the back...it make take a while to get there though as the driver stops to pick up anyone else along the way. 

There are a lots of nice bars and restaurants to kill time in, shops to browse and people are so friendly. I haven't been pushing myself to see any of the sights while here though....taking a break from the extreme tourist stuff until my next stop which is Luang Prabang in Laos - I leave tomorrow morning and am doing a slow boat ride there so will get there in 3 days....more to come then!!