Jungle Fever

Sadly we are now passing our last few hours in Chiang Mai... a small city north east of Bangkok. We have spent the last two days treking through the jungle, riding elephants, living with the resident hill tribes and generally leaving behind modern comforts...electricity, flushing toilets and bricks and mortar there were not.


Day one involved a two hour truck drive to the outskirts of the jungle - eight of us piled in the back with a small thai man hanging on the bumper for luck. It was an hour's uphill hike to the village camp where we were shown our bamboo stilt hut for the night and a 20 minute breather before the four hour slog to the waterfall in the pic above. The water was as cold as it looks (check out James hunching on the end) and ridden with leeches due to it being the end of the wet season (luckily we both managed to avoid being bitten thanks to the 95% deet repellent). The march back (fast pace is an understatement) took us through deep mud, strong creeks and lots of lush greenery. The day was rounded off with a superb thai feast prepared by our excellent guide, host and now friend Noi. There was laughter, drinking, singing and games a plenty before dropping onto the floor and under the mosquito net in the early hours for a solid night's sleep...


A late start kicked off day two, (that and James throwing up the previous night's rum, whisky and beer to a round of applause as he tried to hide behind a tree). An action packed day included elephant riding, white water rafting and more treking. The evening ended in a farewell meal with our fellow travellers preceded by a white knuckle tuk tuk race and more whisky in a tourist free local Thai bar (thanks to Noi).


Chiang Mai has been a world away from Bangkok, friendly people, real Thai culture at its best and food and massages out of this world! Back to Bangkok tonight for a quick stop before heading on to the south eastern island of Ko Chang for some sun, sand and clear blue sea (we hope!).....