Trekking and Rafting

Day 37 (06/05/08): Hills North West of Chiang Mai, Thailand

I was woken up by Good and the rest of my group, with Good holding a large monitor lizard above me. I woke up, rolled over and said 'Oh, a monitor lizard'. The others were all a bit dis-appointed that I didn't have more of a reaction! A good filling breakfast to start the day, and we were off again on a short trek. The main activity for the day would be rafting; white water rafting in a modern raft, and then bamboo rafting.

After a short walk down a very steep hill, we arrived at the rafting base camp, were we all got kitted out with life-jackets and helmets. There were only two sizes of helmet, small, and very small. I managed to squeeze into one and after a few brief instructions, we were in the river and going for it! The river wasn't particularly wild, about a grade 3. Although there were a few quite fun bits, with the raft splashing down the white water between the rocks, getting us occupants very wet. Other parts were very relaxed, with us just floating down the quite river, admiring the mountains and jungle surrounding us. Several water fights broke out between the two rafts, which I must say our raft clearly dominated. At one point we all jumped out and floated down the river. Back into the rafts for the last small stretch of rapids, and after an hour and a half or so we were finished. The rafting was great fun, and the Europeans and Korean really enjoyed it, having never done anything similar at all.

The bamboo rafts were quite long, made by lashing a number of large bamboo pieces together with a few cross braces. Good called them 'bamboo submarines', and after all of us were sitting on it, it was several inches underwater. Our rafting guide jumped on, and used a bamboo pole to guide us down the very quiet and smooth river for about half an hour or so. It was very relaxed, and a nice way to finish the day. We arrived at a small camp, where we all got changed and had some lunch. An ice-cream vendor appeared (small scooter with side cart, playing the Thai version of the ice-cream jingle), which everyone indulged in. There was also someone selling photos of us rafting, and so for a reasonably cheap price, I got a great action shot of our raft going down some of the rapids.

The songthaew ride back to Chiang Mai was pretty quiet, as everyone was pretty tired after three days of activity. We all chipped in and organised a fairly decent tip for our guides, who we thought had done a fantastic job. We also made plans to meet at a guest house later that night for a few drinks. I checked back into my guest house, and even got the same room as before. I quick shower, and I found Helen again. We met up with her Irish friend, and went out for dinner. After dinner I left the two of them, and proceeded to walk around what seemed the greater part of Chiang Mai looking for the guest house we were meeting at. There are a number of small alleyways and small roads, which are often unmarked on maps, and the guest house I was looking for was down one of them. I asked some local tuk-tuk drivers for directions, and got quite different answers from two of them! Eventually I found my way there, and had a well deserved beer. Good and Pooza were there, along with the other Irish girls from the first day of our trek. Pooza thoroughly beat me in several games of pool, and we all enjoyed several good beers.

When the guest house shut, Good, Pooza and another guide friend of theirs took us to several local Thai pubs and clubs. It was a great evening, drinking and eating and dancing to Thai pop music. At the end of the night the Irish girls tried to teach us all how to do an Irish jig, although none of us managed to do it properly. Although it must have been quite a sight, the middle of a Thai dance club floor, a bunch of Irish girls doing a jig, with three Thai guys, a Korean girl and myself trying to follow along! It was one of those great crazy nights you only get when you are traveling on the other side of the world! I don't remember what time I got home, but I collapsed into bed and didn't stir until the next morning.

(Once again I apologise for the lack of photos with the recent posts. I will try to find another internet cafe from which I can upload a whole lot).