Chiang Mai - Fresh Jungle Air

Following the Big Engagement, we still had one day left in Chiang Mai and the fiancées were craving adventure. We decided to book a trek with Buddy Tours (800 bhat/pp) which would take us into the jungles and riverbeds of the province.

We were lead by a guide named Mr. T.

No. Not that Mr. T.

When he wasn’t leading or enjoying folk music, he practiced for a big slingshot competition he’d entered.

He needs the practice.

Our trek started out, as all good treks do, with us finding ourselves on the backs of elephants.

Luckily, we brought some treats which we shared with the elephants after Mr. Happy had eaten his fill.
Our arms were ill-equipped to feed the hungry beasts. Our bananas kept falling short and landing on our elephant’s head, making him look the fool!

We soon discovered that a bunch of bananas does not stretch far when trying to curb the hunger of a two ton animal. Some elephants don’t know when to say when.


The next part of our trek included us rafting down a river in a bamboo raft a la Huck Finn. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take our cameras along for this portion. But we looked a lot like this:

Next up…lunch!

Enjoying the local cuisine, fiancees?

Following lunch it was time to visit a small Karin village. This is where they tried to lure us to buy woven goods we didn’t need.

More interesting than the textiles, though, were the terrifying animals living inside the village.

We hiked through some rice paddies.

And emerged at a waterfall.

We were sweaty and tired. The temperature on the day was approaching 104 degrees. But, like a true Englishman, Mr. Happy craved nothing more than a nice, piping hot cuppa tea.

Our last adventure for the day was a rubber rafting trip down the river. This was when an unfortunate incident occurred. As Mr. Happy walked over a bridge carrying our boat, the bridge collapsed! Once again we were not able to bring our cameras, but this should give you an idea.

He got away with only some hurt toes. Too much tea, Mr. Happy? We then climbed into our raft for a leisurely drift downriver.

We did it!

Before we knew it we were back in KL.

Loppy Lou and I went out for some quick pampering.

Then it was time for them to pack up.

And ship out.

We miss you Tex and Loppy Lou! Come back soon…honeymoon perhaps???