Hill Tribe Trek out of Chang Mai
Sep 15, 2000   Thailand
BLOG: Un-related thoughts and activites of the day . . . .

Cute kids.
Cute kids.
Seldom liking tours at all, this one in Chang Mai turned out to be exceptional since we happened to be there for their yearly celebration.
Old posts from my very first travel website and my first backpacking trip (a year in 2000-2001)!

We decided against Laos at the last minute after reading the travel adviosories stating that a group is rumored to be targeting tourists right in the area we were going to visit in the south, and that visiting Laos in general might put your life at risk. So we are happily in Northern Thailand and are going on a 3 day hill tribe trek instead.

The hill tribe trek was incredible! We had a really fun group, the hike was beautiful, and visiting the tribes was like being in a museum display.

The Akha tribe women wear headdresses with large silver beads and a silver board on the back of their head. They never take them off even to was their hair, and as part of their wedding ceremony the women have animal dung put on their head to symbolize how miserable their life will be from then on. We also got a great massage from the women for only $1.25.
There are a ton of fake tribe women in Bangkok but these ladies were legit. Complete with dung on their head.
There are a ton of fake tribe women in Bangkok but these ladies were legit. Complete with dung on their head.
The next day we hiked and rode elephants for an hour or two to the Dara Ang village where we spent that night - we even got to sit on the elephant’s head and drive.
Pretty ride through the jungle.
Pretty ride through the jungle.
Pretty basic accommodations. Good thing we're somewhat used to sleeping on the hard ground.
Pretty basic accommodations. Good thing we're somewhat used to sleeping on the hard ground.
We happened to be there on the night of a once yearly celebration where they stay up all night dancing, singing about when they came over from Burma 18 years ago, and playing music. They welcomed us to be a part of it and we had a wonderful time.
We bought a couple of things like a bracelet made of shells and a funny little hat.
We bought a couple of things like a bracelet made of shells and a funny little hat.
Then the next day after more hiking, we took a bamboo raft down the river and then back to Chang Mai. We all went out to dinner that night after thoroughly enjoying a hot shower.
About as simple as a boat can get. Well, I guess it's a raft.
About as simple as a boat can get. Well, I guess it's a raft.
The next day we pampered ourselves with a massage from the blind masseurs and a manicure and pedicure for me. We also went to one of the local Wats (temples) and chatted with a monk for a couple of hours. Today Steve is taking a Thai cooking course. Yum!

0 Comments

Submit Your Comment
Thank you! Your comment has been received. :) It will be posted as soon as I get a chance to read it first.
Sorry, don't know what happened. Try later :(
Your email will not be shared or spammed in any way. It is only as extra assurance that you are a real person! ;) Leslie's Travel Snacks reserves the right to delete any comment that is abusive, self-promoting, nonconstructive, mean, or otherwise not in the spirit of this website.