In the North of Thailand, Chiang Mai is far less over the top as Bangkok. It’s much more quaint and quite. Amber found us the most charming guest house in a great spot within the old city walls. Upon arriving we decided we were ready for another massage. There was a buy one get one at one of the places nearby. “Cheap” is all we thought. Basically Amber and I ended up with a couple’s message. Hysterical! It was in a random little house, the steam “room” ended up being a wood box covered with canvas. We almost died of laughter when they left us in there for what felt like eternity. We were so nervous to find out what the rest of the services entailed. But it actually ended up being one of the best body scrubs and massages I have ever received. These girls were good! So good, I fell asleep. In most cases, you get what you pay for. In this case, I think it was a pretty fair deal…
Even though we pretty much had enough of the markets in Bangkok, we decided to give them a go here anyhow. We were quite impressed with the Sunday market, which was perfectly located right outside our guest house. It was much cleaner, more relaxed, as if at a festival. There were kids dancing and playing their instruments in the streets for donations for their school. There were so many more options than what we saw in Bangkok (i.e handmade crafts, etc.) Definitely worth it, even for just a nice Sunday evening stroll.
The following morning we were picked up bright and early for what was going to be a 12 hour day (we didn’t know this at the time) on our Jungle Trek in Chiang Mai. 8 of us were thrown in the back of an open truck (army style) and we were on our way. Amber and I quickly made friends with Mark and Afton from San Fran. Every now and again it’s comforting to be surrounded by people from our own country who can speak our language and who are just as in awe of these experiences as we are. Our first stop was Karen Long Neck Village. A ceremonial tradition where the girls and women wear brass braces around their necks. I got to try one on for size - man was it heavy! The village was so cute with little huts where women were weaving and taking care of their infants. The kids were smiling and playing with us – little hams posing for the camera. One little boy was running around with a pet rooster, flipping it around in his arms, chasing it and grabbing its tail. He was such a doll, cracking himself up the whole time, putting on a show for us; and the rooster was almost as big as him! We moseyed about, took pictures, walked through the rice paddy fields, listened to some guitar (or banjo) playing, and played with the wooden bow and arrows. A great way to start to the day!
Our next stop was a beautiful orchid farm and then we were off to elephant trekking. Amber and I ended up having the daddy of all elephants. He was the biggest and we could tell he was in charge because the others would get out of his way when he came through. He basically just did whatever he wanted to – sorta lazy too. Probably didn’t help that his trainer (or whatever you would call him) was just sitting on the top of his head reading a book while we road. We fed him bananas and boy was he greedy. He just kept sticking his trunk back to us begging for more and if we didn’t respond, we got a bunch of hot elephant air (sometimes with a little snot) blown in our face. Big Stinker! The best was the cutest baby elephant following around the elephant Mark & Afton were riding. I got some really good pics of it – especially the ones from behind, which are priceless. We also had the pleasure of seeing one of the elephants taking care of business (thankfully we were all high enough on our own elephants that we weren’t “exposed” to it). Our elephant kept stopping and sniffing for bananas in the trees and finally found some. With some effort, he ripped them out and scarfed up the whole bunch in one bite. He thought he found some more over a cliff and went for them. At that point, Amber and I basically saw our lives flash before our eyes. Headline “Two American Girls Found in Thailand Crushed By a Fat, Greedy Elephant.” We really did start to panic and had to finally yell at the trainer to make the elephant knock it off.
The next part of our day was a hike to a waterfall. It was an hour long hike each way, but the trail was pretty fun and it helped that our tour guide, Woody, was a big goofball. He kept hiding from us and scaring us, jumping out of his little secret hiding spots (he could walk that trail blindfold – he doesn’t even remember the last time he had a day off work). Yikes! The waterfall was small, but very pretty and relaxing. We cracked open a few Beer Chiang (Chiang means elephant, and it’s one of Thailand’s most popular), hung out, talked, and played some slingshots. I’m no good… There was another tour group at the waterfall and come to find out, two of the people will be famous in a few weeks in their home country. They were just out traveling before the show starts. Unfortunately, I’m sworn to secrecy on what it is, but I can confirm if they were from the US, let’s just say it would be a pretty big deal. As I said, my word is my word. Plus, the two were so nice and I may have another new place to visit... :)
Even though we all agreed it was the day that never ended, the last part of our trip rafting down the river was the best. Unfortunately, we don’t have any pictures to show for it because we were advised we would be getting 100% wet. Boy they were right. Amber, Mark, Afton and I got paired up and thank goodness because the other boat did not seem to be having nearly as much fun. Our boat guide, ironically named “Pest”, kept splashing us and trying to knock us off the boat. The white water rafting was probably a Stage .5 at best, but after a few beers, falling over laughing so hard, soaking wet, and slap happy because we were all just exhausted from the day, a .5 was probably all we could have handled anyway. We ended up coming to a little “village” where there was a long pier of bamboo huts. Basically it was like a forest preserve on the water for the Thai people. There were loads of families, the parents hanging out talking, cooking food and drinking Beer Chiang. The kids and even some adults swimming in their clothes, laughing and having the best time. We hopped off our raft to join them for a beer. I actually stubbed my toe and pretty much fell out of the boat and cracked my shin on some rocks and bamboo and nearly fainted because all I could see was white (thinking it was my bone) and how the heck was I going to get medical care in Thailand! After a few minutes and a Beer Chiang later, I was feeling alright. Now I just have a nice 3 inch souvenir that will be on my leg to remind me of that fun day forever. Add it to the rest of them. No scars, no stories to tell, I guess. Maybe that should be by new motto…
It was amazing to see how the people up in the villages of Chiang Mai lived in their huts up in the forests, raising their families, hunting their food and fishing with nets, very little water or electricity, making a living by selling tour groups water and beer every day. It totally made me realize even more how much we take for granted. We have all these gadgets and machines and things to do the work for us, yet these people are living, they are getting by, and they seem to be just as happy. They appreciate more and it’s obvious through the smiles on their faces, the kindness in their voices and gestures, and their laughter. Great day with great people and new friends.
The following night we ended up meeting up with Mark & Afton, playing some Uno for shots (not much goes on at night in the little town of Chiang Mai) and having a few more good laughs. They convinced us to go to Kho Phi Phi, as that is where they were headed next. Not only did we agree, but we booked the same hotel as them. Stalkers, right? All it really meant was one thing – Trouble!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment