Hill Tribe Trek

Saturday, October 08, 2011
Chiang Rai, Thailand
After arriving in the Mirror Art Foundation's base camp outside of Chiang Rai, the team took our last showers and got ready for our epic trek through the Northern Hills. In the early morning we set out with Sura Chai (our guide), and water strapped to various parts of our backpacks. The trek proved amazing; not only were we hiking through jungle, we got to enjoy some SHADE! After about two and a half hours, and various spoken games, we arrived in Sura Chai's home village. I was instantly struck by the buildings in the village.  All were made from bamboo. I soon learned that most buildings in hill tribes are made of bamboo. The team visited the local Hill Tribe (www.hilltribe.org) museum and took a plunge into a huge waterfall, the local attraction. That was our only shower on the trek. Another hour long trek and we collapsed into the Haku village. There were so many children running around. PLAY TIME! Dinner, sleep, breakfast, and too many cups of tea later, we were back on the trail. This time for seven and a half long hours. Thanks to 7-11 we all had snacks to get us through. I opened my Mars Bar at lunch (YUM.) Leeches, or vampire worms as we dubbed them, were our worst enemy and we fought them off with our bamboo walking sticks. A few of us went down in the fight. . . not literally. Some great views and good stories were experienced before we stumbled upon the Lahu village. A smile crept on my face when I realized this was our stopping point. I could feel wings sprouting out of my back as I took off my backpack and soared over the whole world.

Our stay in the Lahu village was the best part of the trip so far . After a good eleven hours of sleep and two cups of coffee we were invited to a sort of picnic with the villagers. They led us through their rice fields while enchanting us with bamboo flutes. We came to a stream at the base of the hill where we had a class on "anything bamboo 101", and our lunch. Bamboo spoons, plates, chopsticks, pots, pans, flutes, cups, and a fire were all made during that one lunch. We were then led back to the village the bush-wacking route; which was thoroughly enjoyable. Along the way we passed a community centre the Youth International 2007 team built! Afternoon was spent reading or venturing off to the the local water tower to get a 360 degree view of the land and the village. There we hung out with the local children and Tim got special attention from a boy who we called Pikachu. At dinner we were served crickets(!) that were really yummy. I would compare them to a peanut. Maybe.

When the sun set the village prepared for a dance party! The YI team helped collect wood for the bonfire and we got the party started . The villagers were in their best attire.  Men wear shiny blue pants and women deck their bodies with bells and colorful cloth. Two of the Lahu people started to play a type of flute, but it is best comparable to a bagpipe. We followed the dance steps as best we could, and got a lot of laughs out of the villagers and each other. Then it was time for us to show them some of our dance moves. The most successful was the macarena. A few of us stayed up late to play with the kids and then to sit around the bonfire telling scary stories about wolves. Before we left the Lahu village we were all given multiple "holy cotton" bracelets, which help bring good luck to travelers.

On the road again, but this time with the prospect of meeting an elephant on our minds. The trek went by fast, and before we knew it we were staring an elephant in the. . . trunk. Magical. That is the only word I can think of that even comes close to describe what these animals are. They have a grace and care about them that I was mesmerized by . When it was time to eat I didn't want to sit down, I just wanted to play with the elephants. The team was itching to mount them. We had to get onto the back of the elephant from a ledge, which was amusing to watch Lauren accomplish. Everyone on the team got a chance to ride, not only in the seat, but also on the neck! I felt like I was Aladdin. You could feel the power of their legs in each step and each time they reached to eat some bamboo. We were all sad to get off, but the elephants all got a chance to bathe in the river and we all piled into a taxi to come back to the guest house.

Showers were taken and dinner was eaten and it was time to head to the night bazaar in the city of Chiang Rai. All 13 of us got our own bike tuk tuk (a taxi that is driven by a bicycle). I was inspired to sing and Liv's driver joined in! We arrived in the centre of Chiang Rai to watch a seven o' clock chiming of a beautiful clock. The lights went out and a hush came over the gathered audience. Aladdin came to my mind again as we watched the magic of colored lights and music take over the square.
 
Bed time for Kate.  Wake up time is six tomorrow, and another travel day. Back to Bangkok! Thanks for reading.

Love, Kate


(Inspired by Kittens)

Comments

Caroline Munro (Friend of reids
2011-10-08

What a wonderful blog. I really enjoyed your description of the sights and sounds of Thailand. What an adventure. Thanks for sharing.

Ray!
2011-10-20

Inspired by kittens.....perfect!!!

2025-02-16

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