Thailand 2005-2006 Home Base and Eldertreks Tour

Roadside Vendors

On the way to Mae Hong Son we stopped at the Lisu tribal village where women and girls eagerly hawked their native crafts- colorful purses and bracelets were irresistible. Sadly, during the October 2005 flooding several homes and 11 villagers were swept away leaving the usually cheerful people understandably subdued.

Rafts in Cave

A sidetrip into the Tham Lod Cave where young women with kerosene lamps escorted us through the huge unspoiled bat cavern culminated when we were transferred into rafts to float out of the dark, guano laden interior onto the sunlit river.

Women on Trek to Hill Tribe Village


Elephant Ride to Hill Tribe Village


Hill Tribe Village Super Store

Eight of us plus Pontus and Don began our trek after lunch. After we detoured through a party being celebrated by giddy locals which Don explained was a kind of fund raiser, we struck out on a riverside path on easy terrain for a mile or so before we made our first river crossing. By the time we got to the 4th crossing Don began scanning up river and he announced that our ride into the tribal village was due to meet us nearby. What a thrill to see the first elephant come lumbering around the corner followed by 3 more and all their mahouts. Boarding the beast was a kick, thanks to lots of help from Pontus, Don and the mahout/guides expertly manuevering each elephant so we could climb onto the primitive houdah from a rock overhanging the riverbank. Ecstatic during the whole ride, Ann couldn’t wipe the grin off her face or stop squealing with delight whenever our guide would turn around and flash his dazzling smile.

Upon arrival in the Karen village an hour later at sunset we were ready to dismount onto a platform which soon was surrounded by Karen villagers and their farm animals. The aforewarned Superstore the Karen women spread before us did not disappoint. Well crafted blankets, scarves and colorful woven accessories were arranged on tarps on the ground by their hopeful creators, each proudly seated among her wares. We ET women purchased from the wonderful array until we ran out of baht and then the Karen women folded their tarps and promised to see us in the morning.

Our group arranged our bedrolls on the immaculate wooden 2nd floor of our Host house. (The ground floor was for cows, pigs and chickens.) We donned all our layers and sat at a long table on the covered porch drinking Chang beers until Mr. Don produced the marvelous dinner he had cooked in a neighboring hut. We gorged on curried chicken with potatoes, cashew chicken, basil pork and a huge pan of stir fried,very fresh vegetables. We eventually all crawled into our bags by 9:30, chilled by night air and dreading climbing down the ladder to dash for visits to the primitive outhouse. The latter visits were accompanied by squaks of tribal chickens protesting us foreigners invading their territory all night!

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