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Up early again thanks to the farmyard animals, we pack, breakfast and thank our hosts and wave goodbye as we head off for the long journey back to Mae Hong Son. Pordee has warned us that this is the longest and hardest part of the three day trek. I'm feeling a little nervous as Pordee is not wearing his flip-flops but rubber lace up shoes; his version of hiking boots.
After a good hours trek Pordee explains that the cooing we are hearing is gibbons calling to one another. This is so surreal - like something out of a David Attenborough documentary.
Sometime later we stop for another break and Pordee takes my rucksack explaining that the path from now on is slippery with loose stones and rocks, and that we will need all our strength and concentration to descend the mountain. He also advises us to change our sturdy walking sandals to hiking boots. We do as he says, me holding on to Pordee's hand for dear life. As we walk along unbelievably narrow dirt paths with sheer drops of 300 ft our eyes don't leave the path as it is so slippery we need to watch our every step. David and Yunn although more than competent find this part of the journey challenging to say the least.
At no time did Preecha explain that the trek included rock climbing, and therefore it came as somewhat of a shock when we reached our final challenge - hanging on to a huge rock, face-on, with a 10 ft sheer drop into a rocky shallow river. Clinging on to the rock face with Pordee holding my arm I wonder what the hell I'm doing hear. 'I can't do it!, I can't do it!' I say as Pordee coaxes me on. I'm not sure if I heard correctly but I'm sure the gibbons were laughing. Finally I make it across with great relief. David, the zodiac sign of the goat gets across with relative ease while Yunn crosses precariously side on.
Now on lower level we follow the shallow river climbing over rocks and stones getting closer and closer to our destination - the starting point of the trek. The last leg is a 20 minute walk through paddy fields. We arrive exhausted.
Waiting for our motorbike taxis back to our guesthouses we reminisce with wonder at the past three days, what we have seen, the lovely people we have met and the achievement of trekking on such difficult terrain.
Hearing the motorbike taxis approach we say our thanks to Pordee and our goodbyes and head back to our guesthouses.
We can't recommend Pordee our guide enough and if anyone is interested in trekking in the Mae Hong Son and Pai area contact him on this number: 0811684667.
Today is David's birthday and I had plans to get Pordee, Yunn and if possible our hosts to surprise David by singing 'Happy Birthday' over breakfast. However, due to being completely out of our normality I forgot. It was only late morning while trekking that I suddenly remembered and shouted out 'IT'S DAVID'S BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!!, to which David said 'OH YES IT IS!', and Pordee and Yunn responded with the appropriate salutation.
After a good hours trek Pordee explains that the cooing we are hearing is gibbons calling to one another. This is so surreal - like something out of a David Attenborough documentary.
Sometime later we stop for another break and Pordee takes my rucksack explaining that the path from now on is slippery with loose stones and rocks, and that we will need all our strength and concentration to descend the mountain. He also advises us to change our sturdy walking sandals to hiking boots. We do as he says, me holding on to Pordee's hand for dear life. As we walk along unbelievably narrow dirt paths with sheer drops of 300 ft our eyes don't leave the path as it is so slippery we need to watch our every step. David and Yunn although more than competent find this part of the journey challenging to say the least.
At no time did Preecha explain that the trek included rock climbing, and therefore it came as somewhat of a shock when we reached our final challenge - hanging on to a huge rock, face-on, with a 10 ft sheer drop into a rocky shallow river. Clinging on to the rock face with Pordee holding my arm I wonder what the hell I'm doing hear. 'I can't do it!, I can't do it!' I say as Pordee coaxes me on. I'm not sure if I heard correctly but I'm sure the gibbons were laughing. Finally I make it across with great relief. David, the zodiac sign of the goat gets across with relative ease while Yunn crosses precariously side on.
Now on lower level we follow the shallow river climbing over rocks and stones getting closer and closer to our destination - the starting point of the trek. The last leg is a 20 minute walk through paddy fields. We arrive exhausted.
Waiting for our motorbike taxis back to our guesthouses we reminisce with wonder at the past three days, what we have seen, the lovely people we have met and the achievement of trekking on such difficult terrain.
Hearing the motorbike taxis approach we say our thanks to Pordee and our goodbyes and head back to our guesthouses.
We can't recommend Pordee our guide enough and if anyone is interested in trekking in the Mae Hong Son and Pai area contact him on this number: 0811684667.
Today is David's birthday and I had plans to get Pordee, Yunn and if possible our hosts to surprise David by singing 'Happy Birthday' over breakfast. However, due to being completely out of our normality I forgot. It was only late morning while trekking that I suddenly remembered and shouted out 'IT'S DAVID'S BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!!, to which David said 'OH YES IT IS!', and Pordee and Yunn responded with the appropriate salutation.
- comments
Alex and Kirstin Happy Birthday David, hope you have a great day. Never mind the Gibbons laughing, we were too at this blog! Well done on your trek sounds a real challenge, but these challenges that we face make us stronger, and boy what an experience. In fact our gutters need cleaning out but we don't have a ladder long enough, perhaps Suzanne could...........
Alex and Kirstin Just played the video, Tilly was doing the tilting head thing at the computer! It just looks fab you guys, hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. -2 here this morning.
Carys Harrison WOW... Just wow! Really impressed that you have had time to write a blog!
karenhym I bet you can hardly believe you've done the trek?!?! Congratulations to your both and Happy Birthday to David.
Alex and Kirstin WOW just wow
Suzanne Ruff, ruff - glad Tilly enjoyed the gibbons calling too. xxxxxxx
david142 You said it Karen. David says thank you for the birthday wishes. XXXXXX----Original message----
david142 Thanks for the birthday wishes. Yes the trek was out of this world and for me (Suzanne), definitely a challenge.I ust might give the gutter cleaning a miss. However, I can recommend .........---Original message----
david142 It's been a little tricky fitting it in but airport lounges and train stations are a godsend.xxxxx----Original message----