However Toi, our guide, seemed to be taking things rather slowly, no doubt as the rice whiskey and Bamboo Bong hit home the next morning, and we only left around 11am (hiking in the midday sun = fun times).
Sunbeams
Washing upSo with hungover guide in tow we trudged up several mean uphills. He lagged behind huffing and puffing and needing several rest stops.
After a very leisurely lunch in which he took a lengthy nap we set off again and just before entering the village we would spend our final night we took a swim in a river, washing our hair and having a bit of a bath!
Toi watching on as we bathe (the picture makes him look dodgier than I believe it was)We had passed through the Lisu village we were to stay in when we began our trek and Toi had waxed lyrical about his friend who we would be staying with. However as we entered the village there seemed to be some confusion and we were ushered into a dingy shack/backroom and told this was our lodging for the evening. We are not fussy girls, but it was clear something had gone awry as he asked the owner if we could all crash there ( seemed very last minute). Unlike the other huts it was dirty with one small bed and a fire in the corner.
Toi plonked himself down with the owners and the rice whiskey came out again as we bathed ourselves in insect repellent, gritted our teeth and sat down to play cards.
The men got drunker and drunker and we decided we were just going to get into bed in anycase - as they joked that they would be having a 24-hour party. We each took two sleeping pills, hauled out the earplugs gritted our teeth again at the grimy surroundings and tried to go to sleep as the raucous men swayed in front of the bed, eventually moving the party outside.
Our bed.....
The men at the foot of the bed.....The next morning they all looked very much worse for the wear, and Toi - who had started off so swimmingly seemed embarrassed at the turn of events and ignored us as we headed off with a separate guide to go whitewater rafting!!
We had a wonderful day on the river, with only one or two hair raising rapids. In fact the guides kept throwing us overboard to make the whole experience a little more exciting. Evy fell at one rapid and hit a rock which left a nasty gash in her helmet, while I replayed scenes from the Titanic with Jo.
"I'll never let go, Jack. I promise. "
We stopped to swim at this gorgeous waterfall where our lunch was served as we sat in the spray
Bathing in mud at the Hot SpringsWe also passed the famous Cliff Jump, which - as over eager as I am - I ran up to and jumped off. The guides promised faithfully it was 5m deep, but insisted I wear my life jacket. After Jo, Maxine and I had jumped, the second raft (full of men) all refused to jump. Turns out they had been told it was only 2.5m deep and were not keen on paralysis. I admit my feet did touch the floor, but all turned out ok!!
Me, suspended mid-air
Post Jump!It was a wonderful day and we quickly forgot the dubious evening that threatened to put a damper on an otherwise marvelous trek! At about 6pm we were picked up in a pick-up for a gut-clenching drive back to Pai, as it tore around the corners in a manner that made me uber glad I was looking in the other direction. Guys from the other raft sat smoking cigars and sipping Beer, as the guides (typically one hour or so into the rice whiskey) hung off the edge and passed out on the floor!!
Oh God save us!!!
Running out of space he collapses at our feetMore news to follow. It is getting harder and harder to keep up the pace of the blog as I travel, and we already halfway through Laos! But I am determined to keep it up!!
Oh, here is a picture of the Purple Penis - a device from our Dutch friend meant to make it easier for women who need to pee in less than perfect conditions! I was too nervous and squatted anyhow, but it was a fun novelty and the source of much humor! See - women can even pee standing up these days.....
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