2001, Pai, Day 4

What was meant to be an early start turns into a rather late one, as we spend some time deliberatig on whether to undertake the hike to the waterfall that we nearly started yesterday. After a big breakfast gives us both a belly full of energy, we decide to go for it, and begin our walk knowing it will be a long one, but not expecting anything too strenuous.
The walk up the hill to the start of the hike sets the tone for the day, as the midday sun beats down on us as we work our way to the stream. He views, like most places in Pai, are great as you get higher and higher and soon enough we reach the stream which marks the beginning.
Yesterday when we arrived here we saw some people climbing out of the forest to the side of the stream. We were going to head that way but see a few people walking down the stream instead, so we follow them, hoping to keep some people in our sights so we don't get lost. Soon though people have either drifted behind or sped off ahead and we are alone, working our way with soaking shoes across the streams that are shin height and through the small paths among the trees and plants of the forest. There is an extra edge out here when doing jungle treks as there are so many spooky and harmful bugs and snakes that we know are probably somewhere around us that we are constanly on edge, especially when a leaf brushes against your arm or something snaps a twig or squeaks in the distance.
With the help of some very informative dogs we work our way along the path for 2 and a half hours. Luckily, the north isn't as hot as the south, and the sun is sheltered by the trees so it isn't too hot. As we get closer, there is a large, steep hill to climb, before we cross four more streams and finally reach the waterfall. I'm not often a fan of waterfalls, but to finally reach our target after so much trekking and be able to wash and reinvigorate ourselves in the freezing water is lovely. Unfortunately, we have to head back pretty quickly as the Sun sets in about three hours.
We set off back, now with the knowledge of what is ahead of us, but with a rather quicker step due to the descending sun. Again we cross over the 38 streams on the way, which seemed rather fun on the way here but now feel like a bit of an annoyance. With no dogs to guide us, we sometimes worry we are heading the wrong way, but Amy, who seems to have inherited the trekking bug today as she storms through the jungle leading the way like a female Bear Grylls.
The first stream which we crossed around 5 hours ago is a lovely sight, and after emptying the sand that has accumulated in our shoes, we head back. Of course, we end up going the wrong way home, which adds another mile or so to our journey. When we get back and sit on the balcony, the relief is pretty huge, especially in our worn out legs and aching feet. We work out we have walked 14 miles!
All we went to do is relax, but tonight we are meeting Reuben and Olga who seem to turn up in a lot of places where we are. We meet them at the market and enjoy some street food before grabbing a quick drink. It's great to see them and hear what they have been up to and what they are planning (South Korea for Christmas!) before we go back to the room and get some very well earned sleep.Baca lagi