The Real Jungle Trekking....

We were up today at 5am to meet downstairs at 5.30am to head of on our jungle trek. As usual we were first to arrive and by the time the others stuffed around it was nearly 6am before we headed off. First stop was a local market on the way for some breaky and then off for about an hour and a half drive to the the elephants. We had to walk into the jungle to get to them and we were quickly put on and were ambling off in no time. Our elephant was the oldie of the 4 at 64. He was so beautiful and was very gentle and careful whilst manouvering through the very steep and narrow track. There were times when we thought he would not fit or would slip but he didn't miss a beat. After about half an hour or so we reached the river where they had a well earned roll in the water. We got to go in with them and give them a splash down which was super cool and we would have liked to have spent more time there....but alas the trekking was calling. We drove for about another hour and a half on a very rough and rugged 4WD road and then we just stopped in the middle of nowhere and were told to hop out. We changed into walking shoes and were given our backpacks, a knife and a slingshot and with our guide Jackie Chan and his off sider Nung, off into the wilderness we go. Tanya and I spent most of the day at the back of the line with Nung, who we quickly nicknamed Grasshopper (from Karate Kid) which after explaining to him, he thought was funny. His English was not great and we had a great time teaching him words and what they meant, he was so eager to learn and said he would get us to write them all down in his book when we got to the village. It wasn't long before we were in pretty thick jungle and walking up some incredibly steep mountains. All along the way Jackie Chan was stopping and showing us plants that are used for medicines, finding little bugs and insects and just giving us so much information about the jungle that it was amazing. We stopped on top of what I thought was about as high as we would go (ha...was I wrong) and had lunch. We made bowls out of banana leaves and had some beautiful fried rice put into them. It was really windy and cold up there and we were wondering why the hell we didn't bring a jumper. With lunch eaten we headed off again and up we went....and up and up....bloody hell I thought my calves would explode and I would have a heart attack.....I don't think I have ever exerted myself like this in my life. Unless you have been trekking in a jungle it will be hard for you to imagine just how hard it is...and these mountains were bloody steep...even Tanya said it was tough. I did have a walking stick which made it a bit easier and did get into trouble when Tanya slipped crossing a creek and got her shoes wet, because I didn't offer it to her...lol. As gruelling as it was we were seeing some stunning scenery and so many interesting plants and animals that it was worth the pain. Although after 5 hours (15 kilometres) I said that I had never wanted to be anywhere in my life more than that village right now....lol. When we finally could see it we felt better even though it still looked a long way. So when we finally reached it, we were very happy and our shoes were off in an instant. The village is a very small one and only has about a dozen people in it and even less houses but lots of chickens, half a dozen pigs and a cow. No one speaks English and they don't have electricity. We wanted authentic...and boy did we get it. We quickly made our beds up, had a cold splash in the shower/toilet shack and joined in making chopsticks and butter knives. It was so much fun and not that hard once you got the hang of it. Jackie Chan also made us really cool bamboo cups....he is amazing with what he can make and how quick he can make it. I guess when you grow up in the jungle you do this sort of stuff every day. It was now time to help prepare dinner. We headed into the Kitchen house which is one big room with an open fire pit where they do all their cooking, and helped cut up vegies. Jackie Chan did all the cooking, watched by the village elders who are 86 & 90, squatting in the corner on the hard floor. We all sat around on the floor too and after a day of trekking I can tell you that is the last place I wanted to be. We were served up our dinner which was pork red curry, mixed vegies, fried morning glory and rice. It was all really nice but when Jackie Chan cooked the giant beetle he found, I said I was full...lol...of course Tanya had some and thought it was nice. After dinner it was rat trap setting time, so we donned our headlamps and headed back into the jungle to put the traps out. Good lord I thought the walking was done for the day....but off we went again but thankfully it was not too far. We all put our traps in various locations and headed back to the hut. Tanya was eagerly awaiting the coconut sticky rice that we put into bamboo earlier and was cooking on the fire but I was way to tired and headed off to bed as I knew I would not sleep too great on the floor with a blanket as a pillow...lol. Tanya stayed up and got to try the rice which of course she loved. Alvo xo