Yesterday I finished my 2 day rafting trip down the Pai river in the North of Thailand. It was incredibly beautiful. If you are looking for the next world class, non stop heart pumping rafting adventure, this aint the place for you. But if you are up for just taking it easy going down a river with incredible beauty and spending the night in the jungle with God's more ugly creatures (he did not do his best work on the bugs here - maybe too much time was spent on general beauty)- then I highly recommend it!
We were a group of about 10 backpackers - with yours truly being the only American rep! I decided to do this trip because some girls met in Bangkok were doing it, and it seemed like it would be fun. And that it was. Going down those 1-2 class rapids provided quite a few laughs as we all were ridiculously ignorant on how to actually control the raft. I lost my paddle a few times - but managed to stay in the raft. I did not go without taking a few good gulps of questionable river water though... So I plan on taking it easy the next few days while my stomach and Thailand's worst polluted water battle it out in my gut. Current status: my stomach is holding its own right now.
I spent the night in a bamboo camp in the middle of the jungle. May you be blessed with never seeing these biting creatures that live in these outcast places. I, thank goodness, layered myself with 50% deet and came out ok. You might thinks Deet causes cancer and is a pollutant- HA, who cares if it keeps you free from getting bit! Others - by the looks of their legs -were not so fortunate. We did get mosquito nets - but believe it or not - they are not so effective when they have holes in them.
The area though is so pretty that one would think they are in a fairy tale. The green and the rocks and the mountains look like something right out of the Efteling. Fairies could have flown by and it would not have seemed out of place.
After the trip a few girls and I decided to spend the night in Mae Hong Son. Our first stop in the city - the 7-Eleven (open 24 hours) for some nice western comfort food.
There is not much to do in this town. I think I will check out a few Wats (temples) and then be my way tomorrow. Where too... I dont know yet...
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6 comments:
Sounds like a fun trip. Did you see any elephants working in the forest? In Maylasia Jim and I took such a trip and saw many working for their supper.
Good idea to rest a day or so. Read a book or watch some TV. Remember the 1 day in seven rule.
Have you tried any of those ducks they have hanging in thr front of the resterants. How is the stomah? Just think of this as the warm up of what is to come. This is civilized and hygenic Thailand. Though I think in Laos the goverment checks the dishwashers once a week that the water is at 212 degrees F. Sterilized is their motto.
Have fun you write great, we really look forward to your blow by blow stories.
Love - DAD
I would have liked to have been on the raft trip. Out there with nothing around sure sounds like something I would like to share.
I agree, a good idea to relax for a couple of days and get your thouhgts together about your future plans. Maybe you can get another message or two while you are resting.
The blogs are great. We love all the detail, keep us posted.
Love,
jim
Living in the Efteling.....My cup of tea indeed! I hope you take heaps of pix. Enjoy the natural beauty, it is timeless/priceless.
I love your stories. YES, you got art in your veins.....writing!
Oh, your rafting adventure reminded me of our River Jordan Rafting trip. James kept on looking for rabbits!
Stay safe, have fun and enjoy the moment. Lots of love, your mamamia.
mon! you are writing faster then i can read. doesnt speak much for the public schooling system, huh? anyways, i saw this when i woke up and almost had a heart attack :
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/14/thailand.cave.deaths.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
please ask the southeast for no more natural disasters until my sister comes back. thank you.
Wha'you talkin' about Bird??? Cannot find anything about nat. disasters/CNN on their website (well it is still early here, and...who cares,it's not american news, right!?!)Anyway, are you ok Hannah-B'nannah?
You got me going allright.
Hey Bird, all ok in the Low Lands?
You had me at Efteling! Sounds like a fun trip so far, Hannah :) I hope your stomach calms down. -irene
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