A last minute getaway
Trip Start
Jan 20, 2011
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28
29
Trip End
May 31, 2012
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Over the week there was plenty to do. There was lots of fun with the Chili cooking class at Eagle House 2 - our professional teacher Mr Visutt was relaxed yet hilarious, visiting the market was interesting and all 9 dishes that we made were filling and delicious. It was funny that our only break during the day was to have a rest from eating at lunchtime.
Other highlights included a 3 day trek into the countryside. We swam under icy cold waterfalls, soaked in outdoor hot springs, trekked across the hills close to Burma, slept in ethnic tribal villages and rafted down the river on bamboo rats. As the new moon began for the beginning of the new chinese year of the dragon, the sky was illuminated with thousands of stars. It was a special moment for the first time in my life to see Orion's huge bow and arrow spreading over the sky.
My best moment was riding on the neck of an elephant. Our elephant gave all his passengers a good sniff with his long trunk and then took huge powerful, yet slow strides. It was a scarey experience as I felt so vulnerable - high up, with nothing to hold onto and the feeling that I was going to fall! His skin felt leathery with long prickly black hairs and he flapped his huge ears against my legs. Exhilarating.
It was refreshing being outdoors and feeling the warmth of the 30C sunshine and a big contrast to the icy cold temperatures in Shanghai. Another day passed quickly with the adrenalin rush of mountain biking 1200m downhill over 25km of off road tracks in Suthep National Park.
Finally the trip ended with the best massage ever. A Thai back and shoulder massage at Green Bamboo. It was my first experience to feel the power of a Thai lady walking up and down my back and using her feet to stretch and pull my muscles. It was excellent.
Thanks to all the friends made, Adam, Lisa, Lars, Betty, Jessie, Anita and Jorgos... you were all inspiring and let's hope to meet again in China.
As the Chinese New Year holiday ends we enter the year of the Dragon - who knows what this year will hold. On New Years Day I also completed my 1st year of moving my life and work to Shanghai. It's an amazing city of endless opportunities and so many changes that they now cease to suprise me. Let's hope the year of the dragon brings good health, love and happiness for everyone living in this crazy city.
Comments
Hi Rachel and John,
This looks like a great trip, good to hear you had so much good fun.
We are looking forward to taste the things you have learned to cock!!
We wish we where there to escape the Dutch gold winter minus 7 degrees. But we are just back from South Africa for a 2 week short holiday.
Take care and lots of greetings Francis and Hans