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Location Date Phuket 1320796800 Chaing Mai 
1318460400 Bangkok 1317769200 Kho Phi Phi -
Location Date Thu, 13 October 2011 1318519827 Fri, 07 October 2011
1317956241
oh my buddah!
what a 3 days the trek has been. Every emotion possible was experienced over the last few days.
Never in our lives have we mentally and physically pushed ourselves as much as we did. Never had we feared our lives as much as we did. Never had we sweated as much as we did. But most of all, never had we experienced the surreal yet amazing lifestyle and culture of the Karen Tribe.
We checked out of hotel at 7.30am to be picked up by Simon (Thai tour guide - also once part of the tribe) Then off we went into the jungle. I don't think we had mentally prepared ourselves for what we were letting ourselves in for but we were still bricking it and in hindsight had every reason too. We were in a group of 6 ladies, later to find out that one of those ladies was actually a man!
Within the first half an hour I had fallen over twice into the water/quicksand. We walked for an hour (in our flip flips lol) in and out of water, jumping over rocks, walking logs (more like tight rope) etc then ate our rice out of a giant Leaf (loved it) in a hut for lunch. After lunch we had to walk another THREE hours, a lot of that being in torrential rain. I say walk but really I mean mountain climbing. Without the rope of course (these Thais don't do Health and Safety well) the last half hour of that climb was INTENSE. I nearly cried, but then Could hear shell and Sarah sobbing in the background so tried to keep us positive. This role was reversed throughout the weekend, with the girls supporting me whilst walking (army crawling) in the torrential rain over a log above the overflowing river.
We stayed with the Karen Tribe on our first night. As we were trekking with a small group we were privileged to eat dinner in there family home. Eating curry and rice with chillies on a stick. For desert we tried some freshly picked lavi by Simon. It wasn't actually as bad as We thought. We got some interesting background info on the tribes and after that we played cards and then had a sing song. It's mad how a pack of cards and music can bring different cultures together. The sleeping was a new experience all together. 6 of us in a hut with individual mosquito nets round us. Considering we were pretty much outside in our huts I have never felt so clostraphobic.
The second day was just as tough, this time we had our walking sandals on (with socks) and climbed up mountains and absailed down, obviously without the ropes though. We stopped at Simons family tribe village (still Karen Tribe) which was beaaauuttiful. We ate noodle soup (mmmm noodle soup) then carried on DOWN to the waterfall. Down was just as scary! We arrived at what would have been an amazing waterfall but unfortunately the torrential rain started again. We had dinner (rice again) and then lit a fire and had a few cans of beer but altogether a pretty mellow but lovely night.
Day 3
We had to walk for about 2-3 hours. Third day Was apparently 'easy' day. Yeah right. We did however have alot of adrenaline as we knew it was home time day. After all that walking we arrived at the bamboo rafting. The tides looked intense and I think shells words were 'this is far too much adventure for one day' but we got on, and off we drifted getting slapped by bushes along the way. The water was actually quite refreshing and like a mini shower. We then stopped for lunch where we had pa-tai. After that we finally got our reward. To ride an elephant. It Was a perfect ending to a traumatic few days. Beautiful setting, beautiful animals, beautiful company. We did feel they were a little neglected but tried to ignore that as they seemed happy and were very friendly animals.
What an amazing experience. Would we do it again?? Absolutely... NOT.
- comments
Ambal Ferguson Well written Clara, interesting. Fenton and I also had the experience talking to someone which we thought was a woman but turns out to be a man! Eat plenty of tropical fruits after a curry and drink plenty of water. Lol
Amber Beale my god i am crying just at the thought of doing this haha! sounds amazing though what an experience. mis you all muchly love ya! xxx
Sarah's mum Visualizing everthing you have gone through and crying, laughing at the thought of you all crawling over a log with a raging river below. You go Tomb Raiders 1,2,and 3. I am sooooooooo jealous as I would love to do this type of adventure. Tell me more of the elephant trek as I just love elephants. This blog is just fab. Love to you all. Helen xxx
Sarah leach-travelling amiga Hey everyone!! Hey mumma, the elephants were AMAZING!! We were on the daddy elephant, who was like the leader, shell was on mummy so she had the privilege of having a 5 month old elephant toddle along side her, I have some great snaps for u! Daddy elephant loved me and Clara and kept putting his trunk up to us when we patted his head! It was such an award at the end of such a tough experience xxx
(auntie ) Maggie WOW !!! Just AWESOME girls. Beautifully written Clar. Awaiting the next exciting instalment. xxx
Lynne Taylor Wow!!! Go girls... Sounds like you're having a ball and this is only the beginning! Loads mor to come. Enjoy every minute hun, loving the blog as everyone has said it is well written. A book in the making!? Take care and keep on sharing. Love Lynne (Psychic First) X
Sarah's mum Just a thought, who did the lady boy in the group come with or did she just tag on at the last moment. Must have loved you girly girlies.............. until you turned into commandos He..he
Donna (indiana jones's sister) Oh Clar, this blog is fabulous! Feel like I'm actually with you (well, with shell n sar, crying at the back!) in the week that you've been in Thailand you've experienced more than most experience in there lifetime. What a trip!! Your quite the writer Clar, keep it up. Love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chrissy x love the blog. x I am so glad u guys are doing it even if there is a tear here and there lol x. can't wait for the next blog, i feel like i am experiancing it with you guys but in comfort haha x
Linda So funny - only you would be doing it in flip flops.....I bet the locals were laughing :O) glad to hear your enjoying yourselves, sounds amazing x :O)
Carmel(Clara's Mum) Now that I've seen you all on Skype in high spirits, and looking none the worse for your Indiana Jones adventures, I can read the blog again and have a giggle. The Trek will probably be one of the 'highlights' for all the wrong reasons. Checked out the slowboat trip to Laos you have planned. Apart from reports of the boats being a bit crowded, that looks like it could be a fantastic experience. Look forward to hearing more stories from the 3 Musketeers
shelley Well thanks again Clara for a fab low down...I have tears in my eyes...serious!!!! As alot of others said..i am with you too! lol,lol Glad you made it through...good idea to wear socks!!!! lol...What an ending...i know...LOVE IT( Sreaming in my head) :o))))))) Love you girlies and so proud xxxxxxxxx
Dona's Dad Charlie I'm still following you, and having some great laughs along the way. please bring the worn out flip flops home, I'd love to see the state of them after that grueling trek. keep up the fantastic righting.love you all xxx
Vicky Goodridge ha ha ha just read this and loved it it sounds like your experience was much the same as mine AMAZING but would never do it again for fear of my own life and sanity lol !!!! glad you survived through and its a great thing to have said you have done im really proud of all of you :-) Keep enjoying i am going to read the next blog now LOVE YOU xxx