Arrival in Chang Mai!

We made it 16k to a Wat on the hill overlooking the city (These were the stairs we had to walk up to the temple) too bad the pollution/rice burning is so bad right now there isn't much to see.

Today we rented a scooter for the day and battled the traffic in Chang Mai...

The trip concluded with some bamboo rafting,

Brandon did a good job stearing us through some tough rapids...

after running us into a few rocks first that is.

Last day of the trek... the guy behind brandon was our second guide, super nice but didn't speak much english - I think "waterfalls", "hello", and "bit further" were then only things we got out of him after hiking 4 hours the second day... we just followed like good americans. : )

Our accomodations that night. If you can believe it,

this is nicer than where the villagers sleep which

is in bamboo huts on the floor near a fire (to keep mosquitos away)...

Drinking with locals on our second night of treking, much different than the first night but pretty freaking cool... we were the only two and Ping Pong took us to the neighboring village where we sat and took a shot with some old-time Thai people... I'm talking the ones who smoke tabacco out of bannana leaves and make chewing gum with bananna leaf, tree bark, a splash of tabacco, oh and lime stone to top it off... seriously. Needless to say we didn't try that one. Great people and very friendly.

Our treking leader - "Ping Pong",

He not only showed us the sights but also introduced us to

"moonshine" (rice wiskey) mmmmm....

The treking group for night 1... good mix of French, German, English, and American

We played some fun multi-cultural games around the campfire that night.

We passed through a lot of fields, the villagers grow rice (of course), corn, soy beans, basil, mixed with water buffalo, pigs, chickens, and cows...

All up hill the first day - that smile is JUST for the picture...

Brandon's face is more reflective of the reality of this situation.

More waterfalls, but always appreciated... especially when hiking.

Brandon leading the way - sketchy...

We went on a three day trek which started with elephant riding!

We love Chang Mai, people are nicer, nature is more beautiful, there is some culture, and the weather is a bit cooler. Finally what we came to Thailand for....