Early start and before I knew it we were wipping up the country side in the back of a van. The trek group was large, about 12 people; I knew I was never going to remember all their names – “mate” and “hun” were going to become frequent words in the vocab! A good mix of people, mostly young and nearly all German or from Holland.
We began walking straight after our lunch from a kebab box. No digestion time like in Chiang Rai! We waked for about 2 hours, on various terrain, but mostly muddy and wet with hills and the occassionaly downwards slope! We paused at a river while our guide, Tarzan, whipped us up some bamboo walking sticks.
An hour and 30 later we arrived at the waterfall. It was beautiful, wider rather than tall, but a swim was definitely the next move! While in the water my toes were definitely nibbled by something – I only hoped it was fish and not snakes!
2 hours later, of seriously steep hiking, we reached our camp. A modest location with 2 bamboo huts – one with 12 beds laid out, the kitchen and guides’ living area… oh and of course the bathroom down the slippery slope!
A great evening filled with food, beer, laughs and stories I turned into bed at midnight sufficiently having bonded with Jungle Boy, Tarzan and Mr Illegal – the 3 locals, and my fellow treckers.
The group split in the morning, 2 day trekkers (including myself) headed off first following a satisfying breakfast of toast and boiled eggs. We left the 3 day trekkers behind, they had a full day of hiking and another night in the Jungle… whereas I would be in a warm shower by 6pm… and I’m not going to lie that thought was pleasing. The rain didn’t cease in the jungle, the terrain was tough and slippery – I was caked in mud again before I knew it.
After sampling some star fruit off a tree and 3.5 hours of hard trekking later the group decided we would not bamboo raft. We had been told of so many deaths that occur, and as it hadn’t stopped raining the river was fierce. Our guide said that he couldn’t have told us not to raft, but in his heart he didn’t want us to. I was more than pleased. A tasty lunch of Pad Thai and Banana crips later we shot off for the Elephant riding.
Many of you know how I was a little more than apprehensive of this, and it was never in my original plan to partake – I can’t say I particularly enjoyed the ride, but it was certainly an experience! I hung on for dear life as we went up and down very steep muddy hills…. Baby elephant following all the way.
Before I knew it I was back at the hotel booking my bus to Sukothai for the next morning. God I was knackered. But, with the Fo Mo (fear of missing out) I darted off to the local market and night market, picked myself up some tasty snacks and some even tastier souvenirs before heading to bed… exhausted.