Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is another built up city which isnt really the sort of thing we are looking for so we spent 1 more night there before we started the 'hill-tribe trek'. This is the only reason most of backpackers come to Chaing Mai is to do the trekking in the surrounding mountains and to meet the local tribes living in them.

We did a 2 day/ 1 night trek from Chiang Mai, heading for the mountains near Pai. First of all this involved a stop off at the market on the way which sold everything the locals love, including deep fried cockroaches, beetles and crickets.

Les crickets fris

We got to the site around midday where first we did the elephant trek across the river and up the hill, which was supposed to last for an hour but our elephant mustve been on steroids or something as it was off like a shot and we finished half an hour before everyone else.

Ballade en elephant lors de la randonnee de 2 jours que nous avons fait

We then started the actual trek which was physically one of the hardest things either of us has ever done. Although we passed through some awesome jungles and rivers, that did not excuse the fact that it took us 3.5 hours up the side of a hill and most of the time we had to use our hands to climb aswell due to it being so steep.

Randonnee a pied de 3h, dnas la jungle

We go to the village in the afternoon, where we met the locals and saw where we were going to stay the night. Which it fair to say it was basic but comfortable. We tucked in to one of the best meals we've had cooked by the family we were staying with.

Cabane ou nous avons dormi pendant la randonnee

We were also treated to a traditional 'performance' from the local kids after dinner

On the second day we trekked down the other side of the mountain and passed a few waterfalls on the way which were a good opportunity to rest. Once back at where we started we did the white water rafting for an hour, which was something we'd defintaly like to do again. Although the rapids werent that quick, we still had a good crack. After this we did bamboo rafting which is exactly as it sounds, a load of bamboo tied together to make a raft with us lot sitting in the middle.

On our way to Koh Tao, we passed through Bangkok again to stay there a night to get re-acquainted with the Khoa San road again and of course something that Servane was talking about for a long time before - McDonalds.