Dog tired

As with Malaysia, the heat in Thailand can become overwhelming, so as we did further south we headed up to the hill country. Chiang Mai is Thailands second city, and perhaps more than Bangkok is very traveller friendly, perhaps as much down to its available activities as its scenery and city scape.

After an OK overnight bus journey, we arrived at 4am, and immediately checked in to a hotel for a few hours kip. Chiang Mai was refreshing after Bangkok, it feels much more relaxed, and had a low rise less corporate vibe.

Wat Thra Singh Temple- Chiang Mai

Prayer Flags

The first activity we booked on was the confidently named "Thailands best cookery school", run by the amusingly un PC "Perm". We had a great time learning to make Tofu Pad Thai, Mixed Veg Soup, Green Curry and Chicken and Cashew Nuts.

 The highlight of the day was the chance to set fire to the hot oil in the wok, something one of our fellow students was able to video

As we now only have limited time left for our travels, we are on a bit of a mission to cram activities and destinations into a short time span, so the next day we went straight into a three day jungle trek.

Unlike the Keppler track in NZ, this trek was guided, and included organised accomodation and food. The trek was led by Yai, who managed to combine impressive fitness and cooking with a remarkable intake of the local moonshine and cigarettes. How he managed to avoid coma inducing hangovers I really don't know!

Feeling quite fresh on the first day

In addition to Yai, we were motivated by a local dog, who has adopted a nomadic lifetstyle where he follows along with random groups of hikers, including sleeping outside of the huts at nightime. We named him Dog (#1), and he provided endless entertainment with his almost limitless energy. Each time we walked through a new village, he had to run the gauntlet of local dogs fighting him to protect their territory, but he seemed to come through ok.

Ursh and Dog1 at the bat cave

The accommodation was quite basic, but fortunately all the hikers got on well, and also we were so knackered we slept ok despite thin matresses and cold temperatures. On the second night we were woken early by the plethora of animals that surrounded the hill tribe village where we were staying. I think we all hoped that the cockerell who started the noise at 4am would be on someones menu soon!

"Compact" Accomodation

Pre programmed alarm call for 4, 4:45, 5:30 etc

Anna and Torben for Germany were delighted to hear that "mini pigs" are called Piglets in English

Although the scenery was more rolling hills than sharp mountains, we both felt we had had a good workout, and three days was certainly enough. It was also great fun to be able to swim in the waterfall pools, and also great that we got to meet some excellent fellow hikers, as the group got on really well.

Back L-R: Mike, Ruth, Adrien, Chris, Torben,Yai, Mickhal
Front: Anna, Ursh

Dog 1, ate anything put in front of him, including biscuits, veg and spicy soup