Chiang Mai - Part 2

continuing our New Year's Holiday Adventure.... lots of photos, it was too hard to just choose one!

Chiang Mai is a big adventure town! There are tons of tour and adventure companies offering a huge variety of things to do. We all sat down surrounded with brochures about trekking, elephant riding, waterfalls, zipling, sky diving, shooting range, hot air balloon, cooking class, massage and spa - EVERYTHING! After all the sorting through we found one we wanted to try on Monday - Cliff Top Adventures - repelling down waterfalls, trekking and another waterfall.

Monday
I woke up with a scratchy throat - thanks Josh! We were so excited for our big adventure today! Breakfast was taking longer than usual an when our tour guide arrive we still hadn't eaten. He said not to worry we were the only group today so we could take our time. Our group consisted of Josh and I as well as our two friends from Canada, Alex and Jess and our guides Kwang and Day. After breakfast we loaded in their off-road vehicle (a sign of things to come) and headed a hour and half up into the mountains and jungle. We turned off the highway onto a bumpy dirty road, a road not traveled often. When we arrived at the location we were in the middle of the jungle - this place was a truly hidden spot!! We asked to go to the bathroom and our guide replied "the whole jungle is your bathroom, pick a spot." haha

The 15 meter waterfall we repelled down.

We removed our shoes (repelling down waterfalls barefoot!) and geared up. It was neat because the guides taught us how to use the equipment and let us hook ourselves up (don't worry they double checked). We all practiced on land first. Then we walk barefoot though the jungle a bit to the waterfall. The moment we stepped into the water I was shocked - FREEZING!

First we practiced on a 2 meter waterfall. While repelling it was easy forgot how cold the water was, that was until we had to jump into the freezing cold pool below. The fun and excitement of the whole thing seemed to take away any thoughts of the freezing water.

The practice waterfall was great! We were excited for the next one - a 15 meter waterfall! A little nervous, yet ecstatic.  Our guides were great - they let us go at our own pace, taking as much time as we needed/wanted. Josh went first, then I was next, somehow my fear of heights has diminished over the years. I hooked up, checked and down the waterfall I go. Slow at first finding my footing and remembering not to grip the rope too hard. When we got close to the bottom the guide told us to stop moving our feet and move the rope so we were suspended parallel with the water below. He counted to three and we released the brake and he broke our gentle fall into the water - WOW what a shock! Again it was freezing, it took a sec to catch my breath and calm down! We both made it safely, and skillfully may I add, down. We loved it! When our guide asked if we wanted to do it again our reply was - YES, of course!

Before hiking back up for round two - the guide on top showed us what to do for our second repel. No life-jacket - because (if we wanted) we could stop towards the bottom of the waterfall - removed our ropes and helmet and jump into the pool below. Pumped we climbed up the dryer and less steep side of the waterfall for round two. Alex was first this time, then Josh - they both made it skillfully to the bottom, removed their ropes and helmet and jumped into the freezing pool below.

I think Josh was trying to fly when he jumped as you can see.

                                                                     


















Beth's turn was next! I was so excited to repel down again! This time with more confidence and speed. I believe the termed used by the audience (Josh and the guide) was "just like tomb raider" - now I've never seen that movie but I'm guessing it was with extreme skill and grace! ;)  I enjoyed this experience so much, I wanted to keep repelling, but I had reached the jumping point. I removed my ropes (okay the guide did) and I chucked my helmet into the pool below. I tried to push myself against the rock into the water in attempt to "get used" to the water - it didn't work as I planned! Josh counted to three and I leaped with all my might. Whew - that water is refreshing!

Wow what an experience! I've decided that I really enjoy repelling and I hope to do it again soon!

Weekend Adventurers!

Now back to the car to dry off a little bit and get shoes. Then into the jungle for our hike to our next location - the White Waterfall.

Trekking. Waterfall behind is the one we repelled.

 The hike was enjoyable. The path we follow wasn't well traveled, which was a nice feeling - felt like we were in true untouched nature, and it was gorgeous! Along the way our two guides would tell us about the wildlife native to the area and stop to show us the creatures homes. So glad we didn't see a snake! We emerged from the jungle at the base of the Bua Tong Waterfall.

Gorgeous!

Stay on the path and the snakes won't come.

 This place was unbelievable! Water rushing over white limestone rocks that keep going up forever! Guides told us to remove our shoes and start climbing. This was amazing! When you stepped on the white limestone rocks it was like you had complete traction, absolutely no slipping! The only slippery parts were the green moss clinging to the rocks, which wasn't very much. We had so much fun climbing and playing on this waterfall! The idea of traction while we climbed on this wet waterfall was almost too much to wrap our heads around. This place was AWESOME!

 Loving the waterfalls!

AMAZING!

 On the top of the waterfalls we have some delicious lunch. Then we took a short hike to a waterhole which is believe to be the origin of all the water in Chiang Mai. The water was so crystal clear and a beautiful green blue color!

 Now back to the car to get some dry clothes on for the ride back to our guesthouse. This was our favorite day in Chiang Mai! We enjoyed each part so much - what a great adventure!!

It was New Year's Eve so we rested up for a bit so we could make it to midnight. We all headed out for a late night supper. And of course, another game of hearts to accompany our drinks. After dinner we walked to the Tha Phae Gate where all the action was. It was packed! We weaved our way though, grabbing desserts alone the way - ice cream, mango and sticky rice - YUM! We walked down the street and noticed a sign - Fish Feet Spa - sure why not. So with 20 minutes to midnight we rolled up our pants and dipped our feet into a fish tank. It actually tickled! Felt like soft pins and needles. Our tank had some bigger fish in it, when they started on my feet I shook them off, the sensation was a bit much. This was quite the experience!

 






We heard fireworks going off but we thought there was a few minutes before midnight. Anxious we quickly dried off and ran outside to an amazing site! Fireworks everywhere, lanterns being set off (all night!). There wasn't an actually countdown like we expected, so we had our own. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tuesday
Tuesday we had total relaxation and veg on our schedule because we would have to return to work off the plane tomorrow. Jess and Alex planned on leaving in the late morning. Luckily for us both buses to Mae Sot (where they had to teach the next day) were full. They booked tickets for the next day, broke the bad news to their school coordinator and joined us for our final day. We started by getting foot massages and then grabbed some lunch. Next was swimming in our hostel pool and reading while catching some sun, so relaxing! Later we started our walk to Wat Srisuphan for the meditation course, which I really wanted to do. It was much farther than I remembered from 2 days before, but we made it. Turns out it is first a monk chat then the meditation course. We were a bit uneasy about the monk chat because we didn't know what to say.

We joined a table that had already started. The monk we spoke to was actually from Vietnam. We could ask him questions about monk life and Buddhism. Many of our curious questions were answered and we learned more about Buddhism. It was a very interesting and educational chat. Next was the meditation course in the temple, which I was really  looking forward to. He taught us the purpose and results of meditation, and tricks to do it successfully. We practice the sitting and standing meditation positions during the session. This was a whole new experience for me. There are two levels of meditation, as I understood it, the first level must be achieve before the second level. The first level of meditation is all about clearing your mind, blocking out the internal and external distractions, and focusing on your breathing and a clear mind. This is much more difficult than I was expecting! I had to pull my wandering mind back more than a few times. I can see how this is going to take practice.

Wednesday
We woke early and headed to the airport, our flight was scheduled to leave at 8:20 am, which would allow us to be back in time for the majority of our classes. Interesting story - we originally booked our flight home for the 1st thinking that school would resume the 2nd. Then after a schedule was posted in our office stating no school on the 2nd, school would resume on the 3rd. Awesome - that means one more day in Chiang Mai so we changed our flight home. However, last minute the school changed the schedule, so now school resumes on the 2nd. We were not going to change our flight and pay fees again so we explained the situation, we had an understanding that we'd be at a school as soon as we could after we returned.

Well... our flight was delayed, then delayed again! Apparently the plane needed a part and that part was coming from Bangkok. So we waited, the situation was out of our hands - mai pben rai! Our flight finally left around 12:45-1 pm. Needless to say we did not make it back to our classes. It was out of our hands - I think it was a sign from the universe.

 Chiang Mai is a very neat city and has a great atmosphere, much different than here in Bangkok. We had a great adventurous New Years Holiday! We hope you had an enjoyable holiday as well! Happy 2013!