Hello and welcome to my third blog of my trip, and possibly the most exciting one so far. This is because we have just embarked on a three day expedition across the jungles of Northern Thailand, about 40miles south of Burma. Here we have experienced so many different things and met so many amazing people!
In our group there were 10people: us 3, an australian couple, 2 dutch girls, a german girl and a swedish couple (Sandra, the swedish girl was gorgeous!). We were all of a similar age of 21-25 and all very easy to talk to. Everyone seemed very interesting in everyone elses backgrounds and cultures- even the traditional fish and chips!
The first day was the "dullest" of the three. After a hearty breakfast, we were were taxied up to the north of Thailand on a 2hour truck journey and had lunch alongside the fist hill tribe. They were the most annoying as they kept on trying to sell us all sorts of crap- from Thai hats to stupid bottle holders. We stayed strong and resisted the charms of these poor ugly Thais!! (a bit harsh!) We trekked for three hours through Thai jungle to our camp, and the only people we passed were 3 hunters, who had been looking for monkeys, wild boar or deer. We did not get shot as our guide was constantly waving a towel infront- imagine if its this technologicalled advanced in iraq! We got to out camp knackered, which was a small hut by the river. We "showered" using a bowl in the river, had traditional pork and vegetables and chatted by a log fire. Us english were the stop-ups, watching the starry sky to at least 10pm!
The second day we awoke late only to find a group of elephants standing outside our hut- unusual for a saturday morning! Post breakfast, we hopped on the back of the beasts and were given a ride up through the forests following the riverside. I was allowed to actally ride on its head and it was the most amazing experience. Whenever I patted it on its spiky head, it flapped its ears as if to say thankyou! Elephants are now my favourite animals- they truly are elefantastic animals! Ours had tusks so it was a bloke-and I think he was the daddy of the group! Once off them, we trekked to a waterfall in the jungle and proceeded to jump around like small kids in the water-again a great experience. Compared to Niagra, it was relatively small, but when standing under it, the water took your breath away! Soon after we had lunch by the river, which was cooked by our guide 'Dang'. It was noodle soup which he cooked in some bamboo pots with banana leaves as lids, over an open fire. The waster was purified using this very advanced water system which catches all the muck and everything. We felt we were kings! After a 3hour trek we finally reached our second and final camp right in the middle of a local village. Similar conditions to before, but we had a shower this time, which was a hose pipe fenced off up to your shoulders- so not very private! And it stunk of chicken poo everywhere, but thankfully we didnt get bird flu. After tea (rice again) we were treated to a rendition of the local singing and dancing by the thai women in their traditional dress. We all had to join in, and then responded with a rendition of Stand by Me, for them! It was going to be Abbas Dancing Queen but the Swedes didnt want to! Overall, the best day on our trip, and was concluded with some local guitar songs by our guide, Dang. Wickedy!
The final day was the most chilled, as we had had an awful night, being awoken by the cokcerils and stupid aclock! Once one started the whole village population of cockerils sounded out a chorus that was horrendous. We all wanted to stone the buggers when awake! We chatted briefly to a Missionary in the village who had been there for about 40years, trying to convert people to christianity. It seems to be working, as the village was becoming more and more christian. It feels asif christianity should be followed across the globe- which I think is wrong! the tribe is traditionally buddhist so why change?! We trecked for a further hour across the agricualtual plains of northern Thailand, until we reached the rafting place. Here we were put on a bamboo raft and 'forced' to sit in the sunshine as we drifter down the river for an hour or two! Picture the scene- mountains in the background, kids playing and jumping into the river, as we gentally drifted down the river. Stressful i know, but on a lazy Sunday afternoon, you dont want to sweep up leaves in the backgarden!!!
Overall the trip was absolutely fantastic. We learnt so much about other people's views and opinions on life that I dont think is too dissimilar to mine. A noticeable one is that Swedes have to have a dream- an aim in life and know where your heading to. I think this was possibly the most different aspect! We will hopefully meet the ozzies in Melbourne when we go there and I think we are travelling with the dutch girls to Laos tomorrow.
All in all the best few days Ive had for a long long time. It was finsihed off with a look around the Chiang Mai local market, the biggest one I have ever seen. There must have been at least 800-1000 different stalls covering the whole of the town centre. Finally, knackered, we staggered to the local Blues Bar to have beers and talk about Dutch football. Classic Sprigens!!!
