Note: I have a backlog of pictures to upload, but the internet is just too slow to get them all up.
My earplugs were powerless against the rooster’s crow, so I was up a few times once they got going at about 4am. Lay around under the mosquito net, which created a nice earthly glow around the cabin, before finally getting up.
Breakfast was what Good called red mango (but was really watermelon), an egg, and some toast and jam. When we were all finished, the local children, who watched us eat most of the time swarmed the leftovers. Pretty cute. Or sad, I’m not sure which.
The walk down the hill was a lot easier, obviously. We came across a group of Japanese tourists who were resting, and told me I looked like Jesus, then asked if I believed in him (“I hope that you do.”). As we continued down the hill we could hear them singing Christian hymns from higher up the mountain. At the base of the mountain was a nice waterfall, where we stopped to wade (too shallow to swim) and to stand under the waterfall. From there we walked a bit further, stopping to use a slingshot en route, and then eventually reaching the river. At the river, we got a quick lesson on white water rafting, and got on a boat. I was with Volker, Bill, and Moon, with our rafting guide, Jack (“as in Sparrow”). It’s essentially the dry season, so there wasn’t much to the rafting – pretty shallow, and not so rapid. We got out and floated for a bit, and got stuck more often than not. Probably much better in the rainy season.
Following the lousy rafting was some lousy bamboo rafting, or as Good put it, “bamboo submarine”, as we were half submerged most of the time. At the end of the rafting we had some much desired lunch. Pad thai. Took some group photos, and passed on the rafting and elephant ride photos they tried to sell us. Or at least I passed on them. It was Wiki’s birthday, so Good fashioned a birthday cake out of some watermelon (sorry, red mango) for her.
The way home we were bombarded with water from the kids by the side of the road. I sat at the front of the truck and called out their positions, as we had water of our own to retaliate with. Once again, I think I managed to remain the most dry, but still got pretty soaked.
Back at the guesthouse, Pennie, Wiki and myself did some laundry, and I booked a cooking course for the next day. After some gentle prodding I managed to convince Pennie and Wiki to join me. We’ll be doing one that Amy and Freyja recommended.
Headed to the night market for food, and to celebrate Wiki’s birthday. Wiki was getting a massage, so Pennie and I waited for her, but eventually ended up getting one ourselves. I had planned on having a number of massages in Thailand, but this was the first, and probably the last. I may get a foot massage before I leave for home, but I’m not too sure. The massage place smelled of tiger balm, which was pretty nice.