Chiang Mai: Jungle Trek
In the jungle the mighty jungle...
3 days. 2 nights. 1 crazy ass trek group!
4 nutty Irish girls, 1 animal antagonizing Aussie & his laid-back fiance, 1 around-the-world ticket holder from Guernsey, 1 token crazy Dutch girl, a casually cool older Dutch couple, and 1 Russian who never spoke. We all followed our loopy but loyal guides, Jackie Chan & Knop, into the jungle with no idea what was in store for us.
Some people make a beeline for Thailand's famous beaches and miss out on the rugged Northern part of the country, but pencil in some time & postpone the buckets and beach parties for a jungle trek. Out of everything we did in South East Asia it was definately on the Top 3 List, if not #1 for all-around best excursion. You be the judge....
- Hiking through the day completely lost in the moment,... stupified by the sights & sounds surrounding you.
- Taking a break from the hiking & humidity for a frolic in a waterfall. Jumping. Diving. Dunking. Swimming. Bathing.
- Bamboo rafting down the Mae Wang river, through rapids & rice fields.
- Jaw-dropping views gazing out over banana trees, rice paddies, and lush green jungle stretching seemingly forever, herbaceous to the horizon.
- Sleeping in a tiny village deep in the jungle with a local tribe cut off from the world. Staying up singing & drinking all night around a camp fire. (Night #1)
- Learning a different, simple way of life away from technological & economical influences.
- Showering at a waterfall... Herbal Essence commercial-esque.
- Shaking a mango tree to grab an afternoon snack.
- Sharing your living quarters with chickens, goats, water buffalo & boars.
- Sleeping in a little hut perched between rice fields. (Night #2)
- Wading through a river on the back of an elephant.
- Sharing inspirational experiences with a group of like-minded travellers up for a good time.
- Just being miles away from everything & escaping the trials & tribulations of everyday life.
It was definitely the best way to kick off our South East Asia trip. A true introduction to the region.
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