Thursday 24 February 2011

Adventures in Chiang Mai

To make the most of our free time, Scott Dooley made arrangements with Chiang Mai Adventures for a day of fun and of course... adventure!  We were picked up by a company guide and headed about an hour out of the city.  We passed rice fields in various stages of planting or growth.  Trade stores and "kai bars" dotted the way, just like PNG with an Asian twist.  The forested hills and patches of banana trees also reminded me of home.  An occasional elephant walking down the road reminded me that I was in another world.  

Olivia Dooley was the youngest member of our group and too small for the first of our adventures, so she and her mom were dropped off for a ride at the elephant farm.

The rest of us unloaded at Zipline Chiangmai.  We were helmeted and harnessed with all sorts safety contraptions.  We were briefed on the appropriate techniques for flying through the air, both right side up and upside down, and then spent a few moments practicing what we had learned.  A short hike took us to the start of the 12 line route.  One by one we zoomed through the air, flying between trees and over a beautiful river.  The longest of the lines was 400 meters.  Now, I am generally afraid of heights.  I admit I was a bit of a tree hugger at the beginning, but soon relaxed and had a incredible time!  I even zipped upside down and have pictures to prove it.  Aaron would be sooo proud!




















After collecting Gail and Olivia, we paused for a brief lunch.  We then piled into the back of a pick-up and rode about 30 minutes to the launch point of our next adventure... white water rafting.  There was another session on rafting techniques and safety.  We were handed helmets, life jackets, and paddles.  Becky and the Bennetts and I geared up and climbed into the first raft.  "Paul" was our guide and comedian for the afternoon.  The first part of the trip was rather mild, like a lazy canoe trip down the Kokosing river.  But we were not to disappointed and soon plummeted over some class 3-4 rapids.  We didn't lose one passenger along the way.  Though Paul did play a trick and flipped us all into the water of one of the calmer sections of the river.  What a blast!













Back in Chaing Mai, part of our group gathered for dinner at Pizza Hut.  What a treat to order pizza, rather than make it from scratch!  After dinner, Jessica and Ethan Myers and I all had our very first Thai massages (one hour for about $5).  It was fun to experience, but one was probably enough to last me until I come back in 4 years.  Ooch!


"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
~ Isaiah 40:31

3 comments:

  1. The picture of you upside down as well as the ones of you in the raft are priceless! :D

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  2. Only thing left to try now is skydiving.

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