It's been a while between posts because we've been on a trek for four days and got bake to Chiang Mai last night. The trek was so much better than we anticipated, and we are really glad we decided to go on a longer one. The first day we went elephant riding, and then to a cave which smelt funny and was very humid and full of tiny little bats. We then continued on to a drop off point in the hills and walked all afternoon to a Karen village. (I can't remember its name) The village had about 200 inhabitants and we (a group of 10) slept on bamboo mats in a hut overlooking the village and the surrounding valley. Our guide was a Karen, so was very helpful in explaining their customs and was also able to translate for us.
We were only going to stay in this village for one night but the villagers invited us to their new years celebrations the following day, so instead we walked to another village, and then on to a school. This was quite fun, we taught the Karen children some English (most of which involved "Heads and Shoulders, Knees and Toes) but they were very shy. Jackie got to practise her teachings skills.
After this we returned to the Karen village and were invited into the house of the village Holy Man, who we drank whisky with. (A rare privilege which our guide said he had never had). The Holy Man holds the highest position in the village, and also acts as a kind of doctor, using local herbs to heal. He is also able to detect the effects on black magic on a person, and to reverse its effects. He asked where we came from, and when we asked him if he knew where these places were, he said no. He had no concept of the world outside the hill tribes within which he lived. Younger villagers however showed outside influence, with motorbikes, televisions, and posters of Thai pop idols.
The next morning we participated in the village's new years celebrations. This involved every household (about 40) cooking a dish, and then visiting every other house in the village and eating and drinking whisky. We only visited five houses, and were feeling quite full and trying to limit our whisky intake for the walk ahead. The whisky the villagers drink is made locally be each village from pickled rice. The women make it - the men drink it.
After stuffing ourselves we walked for six hours to a bamboo rafting camp, and took a well earned swim in the river - though it was freezing cold, we forced ourselves to enjoy it. Bamboo rafting the next day was rather fun. It involved steering about ten bamboo logs tied together through a succession of rapids - four parts calm and one part terror. More than once we had to get off the raft to dislodge in from rocks, and then there was the everpresent danger of feet getting caught between the bamboo.
From here we drove to the highest point in Thailand so the two stupas (a type of temple) dedicated to the king and queen, and then it was back to Chiang Mai for a well earned rest on a soft bed.
5 comments:
g'day brett and jackie,
thankyou for the email. as you expected, the liturgy for epiphany down here was really something special. some great music in this years liturgy. hey, yesterday was the 7th of january, which coinsidently means one month to my birthday, which then means just over a month till you guys return. thankyou for the photos you have been posting, they are great. you two look like your enjoying yourselves muchly. things are going pretty well here at the moment. i did enjoy my new years for the record. i spent it with zac and his mates in portarlington, which was interesting but still good. on the 23rd of jan it will be 2 months which considering my track record is really good. he is still pretty shy but we are getting there. hmmm. so, wat else can i tell you. i'm saving money. haven't decided exactly what for yet, got a few ideas but nothin deffinate. anyways, enough about me. how are your funds going, lol. you really do sound like your enjoying yourself.
we all miss you very much, and are looking foreward to your return, but of course not before you have well and truely experienced the...experience!?! lol
love you both very much
Olivia
xoxoxo
yay!!!!! elephant!!!! did you ask them for an elephant egg to bring home for me so I can have a little elephant all of my own?
wow this trek sounds awesome! could you ask the holy man many questions? did he check you over for ailments or signs of black magic. did the kids think you looked funny?
jacks! check your email! happy happy uni news!
Sounds like I have to put a garden gnome on alert to attack the postie as they drop of the mail, just to make sure it gets to me. "Operation Concrete Storm" is in effect. Good Luck.
Hey jackie
How did you go on the dip ed front? Hope you guys are still having fun and I hope to hear from you on your blog soon as i check it often.
Hey Brett and Jackie, Glad to hear that both of you are safe as we were a bit worried. And thanks for telling luke to contact dad. Anyways, it looks like your having a great time and keep on sending the photos. Weve just come back from our road trip around victoria, however im sure it doesnt compare to being in thailand, but we still had a great time. Mum did well most of the time, except she got a bit too stressed at times and lost the plot, but, hey, thats mum for ya. So, better let you get back to your adventures. Bye for now, mum,dad, matt and Jo.
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