Good news! We survived our trek this weekend! We were picked up at our street (Samlan Road, Soi 7) to join 14 other people in ONE truck, yup just an average sized truck. Anyways, we fit somehow and made it about an hour and a half to an elephant camp. This part of the trek was amazing. Two by two, we all sat on top of an elephant and went walking through the rain forest. We went up hill, down hill, and even into the Mae Tang River. There was a baby elephant that came along and it was so funny. It kept just rolling around in the mud and in the river.
At the travel agency, the lady mentioned that along with elephant riding, white water rafting, bamboo rafting, going to water falls and staying in a hill tribe village, we also would be doing some hiking. And wow, it was very intense . After elephant riding, we hiked completely up hill for 3 hours through the jungle. I can't even begin to describe how intense it was. We were with a group of 13 people, along with 2 leaders. I basically felt like I was running the whole time trying to keep up with the guide. It was hard, but definitely worth it. We were literally in the middle of a mountainous rain forest. There were no buildings, no villages, no roads, no nothing, until we reached the very top of the mountain to find the Lahu Village. There are only about 100 people in this tribe and they speak a different dialect from Thai. We all took showers (frreeeezzingg) and settled inside our hut made out of bamboo scaffolding. Shortly after arriving, a huge storm blew in across the mountains. I took a video of the clouds moving in because they were moving so fast that in about three minutes all we could see were clouds and mist. We slept on very thin mats on the floor but luckily we were each equipped with our own mosquito net (what luxury!)
Today we woke up to the roosters and set off for another 2 hour long hike in the rain! Although this leg of the hike was downhill, it had just rained/was still raining and the muddy clay ground was very slippery. To my friends who know my greatest fear is walking/running down hills, today was a challenge for me. I actually never fell (thanks, Robbie) but after the long hike in the rain, I was covered in mud from head to toe. At the end of the hike, I told Robbie that I was half expecting my mom and dad to be waiting and cheering for me at the finish line. I felt like I'd completed a marathon. This trek was exhausting.
The hike brought us to a white water rafting place which was very fun. The first rapid was huge because of the rain storm last night, which scared me for what was ahead of us. The rafting was a blast, especially because our river guides were hilarious. We finished up with the bamboo rafting which was a bit of a failure with so many people on the raft. We basically were half way under water the whole time, but it was fun nonetheless.
This was a crazy, unforgettable, memorable weekend. We met a whole group of cool people from all over the world and saw some amazing sites. And the best part is that now our dirty-bug-filled house feels like a paradise. We're glad to be back.
Miss you all,
Maggie and Robbie
At the travel agency, the lady mentioned that along with elephant riding, white water rafting, bamboo rafting, going to water falls and staying in a hill tribe village, we also would be doing some hiking. And wow, it was very intense . After elephant riding, we hiked completely up hill for 3 hours through the jungle. I can't even begin to describe how intense it was. We were with a group of 13 people, along with 2 leaders. I basically felt like I was running the whole time trying to keep up with the guide. It was hard, but definitely worth it. We were literally in the middle of a mountainous rain forest. There were no buildings, no villages, no roads, no nothing, until we reached the very top of the mountain to find the Lahu Village. There are only about 100 people in this tribe and they speak a different dialect from Thai. We all took showers (frreeeezzingg) and settled inside our hut made out of bamboo scaffolding. Shortly after arriving, a huge storm blew in across the mountains. I took a video of the clouds moving in because they were moving so fast that in about three minutes all we could see were clouds and mist. We slept on very thin mats on the floor but luckily we were each equipped with our own mosquito net (what luxury!)
Today we woke up to the roosters and set off for another 2 hour long hike in the rain! Although this leg of the hike was downhill, it had just rained/was still raining and the muddy clay ground was very slippery. To my friends who know my greatest fear is walking/running down hills, today was a challenge for me. I actually never fell (thanks, Robbie) but after the long hike in the rain, I was covered in mud from head to toe. At the end of the hike, I told Robbie that I was half expecting my mom and dad to be waiting and cheering for me at the finish line. I felt like I'd completed a marathon. This trek was exhausting.
The hike brought us to a white water rafting place which was very fun. The first rapid was huge because of the rain storm last night, which scared me for what was ahead of us. The rafting was a blast, especially because our river guides were hilarious. We finished up with the bamboo rafting which was a bit of a failure with so many people on the raft. We basically were half way under water the whole time, but it was fun nonetheless.
This was a crazy, unforgettable, memorable weekend. We met a whole group of cool people from all over the world and saw some amazing sites. And the best part is that now our dirty-bug-filled house feels like a paradise. We're glad to be back.
Miss you all,
Maggie and Robbie
