15/11/2009

Day 41 - Chiang Mai - White Water Rafting, Elephant Ride, Hilltop Village & Massage

Today was set out to be a great day; we were up early and an hour's drive took us to our White Water Rafting experience. Our guide briefed us on the safety procedures and precautions. Our river journey would be 2hrs and was divided into 3 parts calm, rapids and calm. Our boat contained Mum, Dad, Uncle Scott and Aunty Jess, our leader was very young Mum thinks he was only about 17 years old. We were enjoying the riverside views and the serenity of the valley, until we got stuck!!! Water was washing over the boat and sinking it, we were held against the rocks and tried to follow our leader's instructions between the fits of laughter. The other raft leaders had to come and help free us. We continued on our way downstream through the rapids until we capsized!! Mum and Aunty Jess were lucky cause as soon as they come up from under the boat one of the other boats was there to haul them in. Soon after Uncle Scotty was hauled aboard, but we couldn't find Dad, Mum was a bit worried then I spotted him hanging onto the boat further downstream. We were safe and virtually unscathed except for some small scratches and bruises. We then managed to get our boat stuck again! We had to squish together to fit through the narrow opening between the rocks because we missed the large path. We had so much fun with lots of laughing, when we got off Dad asked if we could go again?? Mum said we definitely got our monies worth.

After lunch we headed towards the elephant camp for our hour ride. Our elephant took us thought he water upstream and along a trail, through a small village and then back to the river. He really liked the water and used his trunk like a snorkel. Next was a 10km mountain bike ride! Mum was not impressed! The bikes were really uncomfortable, Mum stopped at the bottom of the large hill because she was dehydrated. Dad rode all the way to the top he was awesome! At the top of the hill was a Hilltop Tribe Village our guide walked us through the village, it was very primitive.

After dinner Mum and Dad went and had an hour oil massage, they said it was absolutely fantastic and it only cost them 200baht each which is about $7.00 each!! Mum wants to go back and have at least 2 more before we leave Thailand.