Trip of a Lifetime

Chaing Mai and Doi Inthanon

Hi again people! Just got back from our trek into Doi Inthanon (doi means mountain range). Absolutely amazing. Once again, we have so many pictures and so much to say that we can't possibly fit it all in here. I'll try anyway! We left Bangkok on the night train to Chiang Mai, which was actually a great sleep, and we got here at about 9 am, and we were picked up and taken to our hotel. It's actually pretty nice, compared to the one we had in Bangkok (not that it was bad). We had a private bathroom! So, you're thinking - shower, toilet, sink, mirror. Well, you're absolutely right! The trick is that they managed to fit it all into a room the size of a closet. Technically you could shower, number 2 , and brush your teeth all at once, if you wanted to save time. From there, on to the mountains! Got some incredible pictures which I'll throw on the end of this post. Here's the first picture, it's of our guide, Mr. Dong. He made us call him Ding Dong. http://www.geocities.com/spiker4392/P1011482.JPG He's playing something called a Dehna (spelling?), it was really cool. This picture was taken in the village where we stayed on that first day. That night we slept on the hardest, coldest bed I've ever experienced, and started off again in the morning to a waterfall, where we spent the next night. Here's the waterfall, from the top. http://www.geocities.com/spiker4392/P1011494.JPG Here's a picture of one of our not-so-close friends we spent the night with. http://www.geocities.com/spiker4392/P1011502.JPG Here's the second waterfall we saw, from the inside http://www.geocities.com/spiker4392/P1011503.JPG And from the outside http://www.geocities.com/spiker4392/P1011505.JPG Here's a picture of the whole group of us trekkers, minus Ding Dong, who's taking the picture. From far left - Gay 40 year old German couple, Me and Kailyn, American couple, Swedish couple (Chris and Josephine, we'll be travelling with them to Chiang Rai, where we head into Laos!) http://www.geocities.com/spiker4393/P1011509.JPG Now the coolest part of our trip - riding elephants. Wow. This is something I will never forget. And for anyone who was wondering - how does one go about controlling an animal that weighs many tons, and could throw you around like a rag doll? Answer - you don't! :D http://www.geocities.com/spiker4393/P1011513.JPG http://www.geocities.com/spiker4393/P1011521.JPG Last but not least on our trek, and most relaxing (until we smoked a rock and I almost bailed), was bamboo rafting. http://www.geocities.com/spiker4393/P1011524.JPG And lastly, perhaps my favourite picture, here is proof that MacDonalds transcends all Borders. http://www.geocities.com/spiker4393/P1011526.JPG That is one crazy Ronald McDonald. Our next post may be a few days, even a week away, depending on availability of the internet in Laos. From Chiang Rai, we go to Chiang Kong, then cross the border into Laos, take a boat down the Me Kong River, to Louang Prabang (Here we will likely rent motorscooters and head to the waterfalls just outside of town), then on to Vang Vienne, and finally the capitol of Laos, Vientienne, where I'm sure we'll find some internet. We're having the time of our lives down here and we hope you're all in good health. Keep those emails and posts coming, we love to hear from you. Love you all, talk to you soon!

posted by Spiker @ 11:50 pm