Chiang Mai Mountain Trekking

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Jan 2013
 
My sister was picked up sharp on time for her sky adventure.  My mountain trekking tour pick up came late, more than half an hour.  The driver came with a motor bike.  Morning was chilly but another experience other than the red car or tuk-tuk. It brought me to somewhere I had never been to in the last few days.
 
Still some waiting.  Trucks of tourists unloaded.  But our tour consisted of 6 people only.  Plus the guide JJ, we headed to the mountain Doi Inthanon, if I remember the name right.  We first stopped at a market which was not on the itinerary.  Welcome us was a pig head.  After 20 minutes, we proceeded further. 

Before I continue to write about the trip, I should introduce our guide, JJ Jungle.  He knows everything in the forest.  He showed us all the tricks and told us a lot of the plantation.  The most fabulous was the ways to enjoy the waterfall and fun.  He is very humorous.  You will never find the trip bored.  If you look for a guide, try to find him.
Though in January, it was a day full of sun and hot.  Trek was up and down, very exhausted.  But the scenery was gorgeous.  Our first stop, more than half hour walk was a waterfall where tourists coming constantly.  JJ showed the way to slide from a rock into the water, the most exciting reverse hop into the water.  So much fun!  The water was icy but you would get use soon.
 
After eating prepared packed lunch, we further up the mountain and reached a bat cave.  Tons of bats inside with noise.  We swing like monkey in the jungle. Of course, trick from JJ.  After strenuous walks and timeless hard breathing, we came to a village.  Villagers still used fire to clear up the forest. 
We stopped at a store.  Apart from serving beer it's also the hub of the village.  Villagers shop here. Dogs greeted us.  Perhaps, the villagers were too shy.
Thereafter, the walk became much easier.  Closer to the evening the nicer it was.  But the light was no longer perfect for taking photos.  The hill side at 'winter' was not great for rice at this time.  Instead corn was planted. 



 
The trip ended at an elephant farm where two of the trip mates spent the night.  The next day would be living with and caring about the elephants.
 

 

 
 




Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

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