If I was ever in doubt about what I packed in my backpack for the trek, I didn’t regret it after the first night camping in the village. It was cold! I slept in my clothes, a fleece pullover, fleece socks, and covered up with a fleece blanket and still I was chilly. It was nice to get up and sit by the fire in the morning!
We set off after breakfast. We had about a five hour hike ahead of us to get to an elephant camp where we would have lunch and then ride the elephants to the second village.
I was last in the line of hikers again, but it was probably because I kept stopping to take pictures. How could I resist?
About a half hour into our walk, I suddenly remembered that I’d left my bathing suit at the guesthouse in the first village. How lucky was I that we ran into these heroes who were willing to interrupt their plans (hunting??) to go and retrieve it for me?
What a spectacular view! The poinsettia was a colorful and seasonal touch 
Five hours (and about 8km) later, we made it to the elephant camp where we had lunch. By then we were all more than happy to let the elephants do the walking!
They are softer than they look!
Elephants seem a lot bigger when it comes to sitting on one!
Since our elephant was in the front, this may be the only picture of my roommate and I with the elephant’s face – all others being taken by other riders but from the rear!
You wouldn’t think an elephant could walk down such a narrow trail, but they can!
I wasn’t ready to get off when we finally did arrive at the second village. Riding an elephant is fun!
Again, our guesthouse was simple and we all shared a room. I took this before the sun went down because it was pitch black at night!
A river near our guesthouse – otherwise known as our bathtub. It was COLD!
Certainly refreshing though!
Not surprisingly, my camera batteries died as we were touring around the village – but I still managed to get a few shots before the camera quit and the sun went down.
I’m so glad I got this shot before the camera gave up. Such a lovely expression.
Never fear though – I had more batteries in my bag!
Tomorrow: bamboo rafting and back to Chiang Mai.
Hiho, Babar!
Don’tcha wonder how different the dreams, worries, joys, stresses, daily routines, goals of these people are from ours?
by Mama Pea January 25th, 2010 at 1:36 pm