Trekking

Going on a good trek was an important thing for me going into my trip. I wanted the opportunity to interact with alot of hilltribe villagers in an intimate and unique setting. However, the essence of trekking has kind of lost it's allure as of recent years because it is becoming too much of a tourist attraction. Chang Mai is the most popular city for trekking, so I avoided doing it there because I was afraid it was going to be too many foreigners in one spot doing the same thing. So I ventured up to Chang Rai, the "Gateway to the Golden Triangle." The Golden Triangle is part of the northern most part of Thailand, including the lower corners of Burma and Laos, and has been the opium transport capital of the world for hundreds of years. I chose Chang Rai as my spot to trek because of it's plethora of hill tribes located throughout the mountainside. Hill tribes are indigiouness tribes that lead a fairly primitive lifestyle and have maintained the same traditions since way back when. However, many hill tribes now make money from tourists coming to their villages on treks, so they have been able to lead more updated lifestyles. Some villagers have televisions and refrigerators!

With Jong the tour guide leading the way, I ventured off with Tom and Kelly from Scotland on a two day, one night, 20 kilometer trek through the jungle into very remote hill tribe villages. The three of us wanted to be as far away from development as possible, and wanted to stay with a hill tribe that still kept its traditions at heart. The first day was chock full of activities, including a long tail boat ride up the river, an elephant ride, and then a long uphill hike up a mountain and into a Lahu hill tribe village. It was like going back in time. These people do not have electronics, they do not have refrigerators, they do not have lights. A few of the huts use solar energy, but that is as far as it goes. Their homes are made up of bamboo and straw, and scattered throughout the village are dogs, pigs, cows, and chickens, living hand in hand with the Lahus. It was a great experience, we got to eat some delicious curries and soups, we slept in a Lahu hut, I took the most primitive shower I could have ever imagined, and we got to run around and play with the Lahu children, who absolutely love the camera. Furthermore, we were the only foreigners there.

The next morning we woke up bright and early and continued our voyage through the mountains. At times the hike was pretty difficult, there was never a set trail to walk on, and there was alot of jumping from rock to rock. Later in the day we visited an Akha hill tribe village, which was interesting because they were more of an advanced hill tribe. They have accumulated the most money out of the other hilltribes, and as a result have been able to update their lifestyle. They have electricity, they have motor bikes, their huts are a bit more niceley done. So, it was nice, but not as interesting as being with the Lahus. After a nine hour hike that day, our trek came to a close. It was a very unique experiece, something that I'll always remember, and it was a perfect way to end my 5 weeks in the north of Thailand.