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Week 9- Thailand (Chiang Mai) Day 4
Today we started our 3 day trek into the jungle, we were all really excited for this. We got up at 8am when our alarms went off and packed our small rucksacks for the next 3 days. We quickly popped over to the bakery for some breakfast as we weren't sure when we would be eating next. We all had a fresh ham sandwich and a pastry (a bit naughty but they tasted incredible). For once the pick up was on time (in fact early) so we ran about getting our last bits ready and bringing our main rucksacks downstairs so they could be put into storage while we are away.
Once on the bus we had a few more people to pick up including a Swiss couple and a lad from Berlin. We then drove for about 30/45 minutes to a local food market. We had the opportunity to buy any food and drink we wanted and our tour guide collected our cooking ingredients for the next few days. We then set off in the truck to the mountains where our tour started. We drove past lots of elephants which was pretty cool, the scenery was incredible. When we reached the first base we had lunch by the river, while watching people white water rafting. We had fried rice with vegetables in it which was actually pretty tasty! We also had pineapple and tried different fruits afterwards.
We then had about a 15 minute walk up a hill to the baby waterfall. This was awesome, we were dying to get in and cool down! There were a few different groups there and all the tour guides were hilarious. You were able to go down the waterfall like a slide (this was soon demonstrated by a fat guide who proceeded to bomb into the water). The pool at the bottom was small but really deep, so we jumped straight in. A lot of the lads were going down the waterfall like a slide but it looked quite scary! After about 20 minutes of debating I decided to give it a go. It was difficult enough climbing up the rocks to get to the top! Once I was up there I suddenly thought I had made the wrong decision but there was no turning back so down I went! Obviously me being B there was a lot of screaming but it actually didn't hurt, one of the boys videoed it on my camera so you can all have a laugh once we are home!
We then had which felt like the most difficult trek ever, it took around 2 hours and was only about 5km but it was SO steep at some points we were literally rock climbing to get up the pathway. I didn't even think I was going to make it, the guide offered to carry my bag but I was determined to do it myself. We were all pouring with sweat and really struggling to get up the mountain. Nonetheless, it was well worth the pain when we got to the top because the view was incredible you could see past Chiang Mai. The village was really cool and they all lived in bamboo huts without any electricity. When we arrived at the base we were staying for the night we were shown to the sleeping room. It was a huge room with matts in the floor with mosquito nets attached to the ceiling, we are definitely roughing it up! We then had a well needed shower, well this was an experience in itself. It was a pipe with cold water- me and Gemma ended up showering together (that's what you call a friendship) but it felt amazing to be clean(ish) again, we at least felt fresher! We then spent some time relaxing as we were all exhausted from the trek! We tried to watch the sunset but there were too many clouds.
Somehow I was roped into helping cooking dinner with the two guides (I was basically the stirrer). I find it fascinating that they cook on an open fire in a bamboo hut, without causing fires! The ladies and young girls had been peeling and chopping vegetables ever since we arrived, some of the girls only seemed about 6! We made chicken red Thai curry, Massaman curry and beef and pumpkin curry with rice, it turned out to be an absolute feast and really yummy. It has been eye opening to see for ourselves how these people go on with their day to day life with such minimal resources and no electricity. As the sun set the guides started covering everywhere with candles which made it look really cute! There were a lot of Thai children running around causing chaos! They loved playing on the iPhones and having their photos taken. Some of them were really cheeky (but sweet). At one point Katy had one on her back while she was trying to pick fruits out of the tree!
After dinner the children did a performance for us which was mostly singing. They were absolutely hilarious but also so adorable. They were all looking in different directions and clapping at different times! There was one little boy at the front that looked like he was about to cry the whole way through and it was obvious it was because he needed a wee haha. After the performance the guides played a few games/tricks with us, these were so ridiculous it was actually quite entertaining. The guide then went through our plan for tomorrow and we all hit our sacks at 9.30pm! Today has been an incredible experience and we can't wait for tomorrow.
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