Jenyfer Matthews

After our second overnight in the village, we took a little time after breakfast to pack our belongings in plastic bags, in preparation for the bamboo raft portion of our trip. I admit it: the muscles in my legs were screaming in pain having hiked up and down steep trails for five hours the day before so I was looking forward to a nice relaxing boat ride.

Little did I know!

(As usual, click any image to enlarge)

Preparing to set sail!

Yes – you see correctly: everyone is standing up! I was really nervous when I saw that because my backpack was more or less waterproofed with plastic bags, but my camera was still hanging around my neck! Our guide assured us it was safe, but having been swimming there the afternoon before, I knew just how deep and swift the current was near that bridge. What were the odds that five tourists standing on a bamboo raft for the first time in their lives *weren’t* going to capsize?

Judging by the group of villagers up on the bridge to see us off, they must have thought so too!

I suppose we could have seated ourselves if we had wished, but the air temperature wasn’t so warm and the raft not entirely buoyant – we were often ankle deep as we floated along. So I simply planted my feet for balance and kept a grip on the luggage rack for support. I was too intent on remaining upright to notice any discomfort in my leg muscles!

The scenery was beautiful and I soon began to relax. I wasn’t so much worried about getting wet myself, but I didn’t want my new camera to get dunked – but hey, that’s what travel insurance is for (right??)

I love the contrast between the location of this traditional home – Nowhere, Thailand – and the enormous satellite dish!

Who needs all the slats anyway??

Land ho! This was our rest stop, a place to stretch our (aching) legs and have a snack before we set off on the second half of our journey.

I had a quick granola bar and then amused myself taking pictures – of course!

This old guy was just relaxing in the shade, enjoying the spectacle of the tourist trade.

Before we set off again our guide instructed us to put our cameras away in a dry, secure place. The river had been fairly shallow and calm so far (only knee deep most of the way) but the next half had some rapids and there was more potential for getting wet, etc. Though I was mildly disappointed not to be able to capture that scenery with my camera, I happily complied. Better to keep my camera safe and I could use both hands to hold on!

In the end, we had to get off the raft once because we were hung up on a large rock under the water. The water wasn’t deep, but it was murky and there were many jagged, slimy rocks on the bottom that made walking treacherous. I was just as happy at that moment not to have my camera hanging around my neck since I was concentrating on not falling and fracturing my skull!

Another hour of rafting brought us to our destination – and lunch. Funny how standing on a raft for a little more than two hours can work up your appetite! After lunch, we loaded our bags and ourselves into a truck and took off back to our hotel in Chiang Mai – where we all promptly used up the hotel’s hot water by taking long, thorough showers!

Here I am, wearing the t-shirt I bought for my husband because it was one of the few things I had that was still clean! Now that I’m home, it’s still mine because it’s too small for him. (Subconscious? )

We had one last group meal in Chiang Mai that night, all of us in high spirits for having “survived” the experience in the jungle. The entire scenario was totally contrived – a manufactured adventure – and yet I think we all experienced quite a sense of achievement all the same.

Tomorrow: a bit more of Chiang Mai and back to Bangkok.

(I’m almost done, I swear!)

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