Missy & Geoff

Trekking

Pics; Top lady at first hill tribe weaving (black teeth), rafting, kids at first hill tribe, baby elephant, me and Geoff on elephant.
The cyclone that was due to hit passed overnight so we decided to do a one day trek afterall. Early start, got picked up at 8.30 and drove for an hour to elephant farm. We had a french couple with us who could speak english. Got to ride an elephant for an hour, very uncomfortable and a rocky ride. So much fun, you could buy bananas and when the elephant wants one he sticks his trunk back at you, if you don't give him one he blows stinky elephant breath at you! It was cool because Geoff and I were riding a mum elephant and her baby followed us around for the whole hour, very cute. (see pic). After that we visited a hill tribe, shocking living conditions! Very cute kids there, tried to sell us their necklaces they had made. All the ladys were weaving silk, they all had black teeth very gross. Apparently they eat a certain seed to make their teeth go black because they think that black teeth are stronger than white teeth. hmmm... We then went to a waterfall (nothing compared to nz scenery!) and followed by a half hour walk to another tribe. Much cleaner living conditions, laundry day so naked little kids running around. Very cute seeing (probably about 4 years old) kids washing their clothes. We then went to a 'restaurant' for lunch, (stall on side of the road) we were all a bit nervous but we got rice with a fried egg ontop with tofu, cucumber and carrot soup. After lunch we moved on to the last leg of the day; rafting. Our guide was awesome, he's been driving rafts for ten years and has never had a day off. We went 7 km, Geoff was our captain (at the back) and we got totally soaked (hopefully we don't get sick as i'm sure we all swallowed some water). Today was a holiday in Chiang Mai and there were heaps of locals having picnics, swimming and drinking along the banks of the river, all the kids splashed us, was very fun.

posted by Melissa & Geoff @ 3:27 AM