Up at the crack of dawn and then off for some trekking. It was a mixed bag of people. There was a middle aged couple that were smokers, not a good thing to do when heading off on a trek. No hats and no sun cream. But they did have a back pack for their ciggies.

The next couple were ABC’s and they had all the gear with them. They had the proper foot wear, clothing and the all important waking stick.When I saw this I thought we would all be fucked trying to keep up with them. But looks can be deceiving. The last pair were a young boy and girl but not together.

Our guide was named Tiger and explained to us that we were in no hurry but instead we were to get through this in one piece. I thought that was good advice while remembering my fall when I walked in Sapa Vietnam earlier in the year. 

It was hot and sunny so I slapped on the factor 50 and the hat and the long sleeves, although in hindsight wearing shorts was a bad move because I have more cuts from the grass than mosquito bites. We got water and lunch to take with us and the smoker’s got a fix. The ABC’S  (Australian born Chinese ) fixed their gloves and were ready. And we’re off. 

As always it starts easy as we walk up the road and then we head down hill through a field that has just been turned. It gets steeper and the ground underfoot is dry and dusty and a few are beginning to slip. I’m 3rd in line and we head on into the dense forest at the bottom. The young couple and myself are powering on and then our guide stops.It looks like we have already left the others. 

The path becomes narrower and more steep and more slippy because of the dust. I’m just making sure my feet go down square and solidly so that I don’t repeat the ankle twisting incident of Sapa.

The ABC’S are falling behind but as we have two guides we carry on. 

We wait at this clearing where they have these huge vines and Tiger jumps on to show us how to use it. To be honest I didn’t bother. 

It’s about 30 mins to the waterfall where we are promised a rest and a swim. 

There are another bunch of tourists plus many local kids using the pool to cool off in. Too cold for me and anyway I didn’t bring my mankini. The ABC’S arrive finally and it seems that the young lady has both knees strapped up because her knees are fucked, this is a technical term that some might not be familiar with. But in short it means she is thick as pig shit. Why  you would go on a 6 hour trek if you know your knees are not good.

We head up a short cliff face to the village to have lunch. I like how theyuse bamboo as handrails throughout this trek and you need it as we leave the waterfall.

Lunch is rice,chicken and a banana but I brought crisps and mandarins also. The pet monkey was cute and also scoffing the guides lunch. 

There were 3 dogs all waiting for us to drop a morsel of food but we were asked not to because they would fight but they curious thing was not one of them would approach the little monkey. They kept their distance and only when the wee monkey moved away did they go to finish what was left. 

So it’s onwards and upwards as we head off after lunch. It’s getting very steep and it’s hot and I’m smelling quite ripe or even rotten but on the plus side I’m not being harassed by mosquitoes.

We soon lose the ABC’S and the smoker’s are beginning to struggle.We have had to wait for them a few times and I guess the cleansing puffs they had at lunch have not helped. And so for the next hour or so or maybe more, myself and the young couple and Tiger have to wait for the smoker’s. The ABC’S are with the other guide. 

We then come to a fork in the road, the ABC’S are going for the white water rafting and it’s downhill for them.The rest of us are looking up at the side of a mountain covered in cabbage,this is where we are headed. Now this is where my legs give the first sign of a complaint and I’m happy that the young guy is also finding it hard.Not sure about the smoker’s but I think they will just be happy to reach the top without a heart attack.

We stop at a cave along the way which is quite small and has plenty of bats. It’s also very cool which is good but then you become aware of your own body smell and it’s not good.

I thought this looked like a man’s face with a big nose
We are on the last leg and we start to head downhill much to the delight of the smoker’s although they are still lagging behind. I discovered today that many of the large banana trees that you see in the forest don’t bare fruit like your typical Cavendish, instead all you will get is seeds.These were some of the biggest banana trees I have ever seen. 

We make it back to the bus and we are all very glad,  none more so than the smoker’s. But to be fair they  did make it,  but what must they be thinking if they think having a cigarette is a good idea when we stop for a rest. As an ex smoker I know how fucking stupid it is. 

Bur if you come to Chiang Mai there are many treks you can go on and some can be up to 4 days but you will have to be fit.I enjoyed it and I’ve woken up next morning tired but ok. It’s a good time of the year because it’s winter and so it’s around 30c most of the time. Summer is too hot. I used my GPS on the phone to track the walk but I don’t think the stats are 100% but the distance is about right so I’m told. 

I walked with MapMyRide+! Distance: 

7.92km, 

http://mapmyride.com/workout/1908791708