Chiang Mai Expedition
Just got back from my last trip up to northern Thailand, where we take the Grade 8 kids to do some rafting and a little bit of trekking. I don't do that much apart from fill my face with the local food and tell kids that they'll have to do stuff for themselves during the week, what with their maids not being there.
Raft training: "If you fall out of your raft, it might be a bit like this. But you'll be in water, not sat on the grass."
You would not believe how many of these 14 year old Dustbin lids cannot even use a lighter to start a fuel stove. Rob told me one morning that I'd have to let the kids practise and I thought he was joking. No joke. They're 14 years old and not one of them is smoking yet! What a disgrace. My mum started smoking when she was 9 years old. These kids have so much to learn...
We do an afternoon of walking and the kids have to do some orienteering, but then we camp for the next few nights while we raft down the river.
Showing a lad how to use these things to make bread turn in to toast.
A local lady, working hard on her way to the kitchen.
We stop in a local 'Karan' village the next night, right on the river. It's a right treat to get woken up at 4 in the morning by a cock-a-doodle-do animal. Sometimes it might even be a pig fighting with a dog.
Kids screaming
Elephants at the last put-in on the final day.
It's true what they say about elephants. I came across this same one three weeks earlier and it still remembered my name. Absolutely amazing.
The kids all have a raft and a Thai guide with them. I tend to take one of the kayaks so that I can keep my distance from the kids.
Most of them manage to stay in their rafts...
...although a few fall out and end up taking a bit of a rough swim.
"So, can I ask you where you were when my child was drowning in a rapid?"
"I was down the river paddling my kayak."
Third camp. The start of the Dirty Dancing 'Lift' rendition during a talent show. Rob's playing Patrick Swayze's character, while I'm playing Baby. Rob's just told the audience that "nobody puts Baby in a corner."
The famous 'Lift'. Notice the ease with which Rob lifts me high above his head.
Just like the original in many ways.
Raft training: "If you fall out of your raft, it might be a bit like this. But you'll be in water, not sat on the grass."
You would not believe how many of these 14 year old Dustbin lids cannot even use a lighter to start a fuel stove. Rob told me one morning that I'd have to let the kids practise and I thought he was joking. No joke. They're 14 years old and not one of them is smoking yet! What a disgrace. My mum started smoking when she was 9 years old. These kids have so much to learn...
We do an afternoon of walking and the kids have to do some orienteering, but then we camp for the next few nights while we raft down the river.
Showing a lad how to use these things to make bread turn in to toast.
A local lady, working hard on her way to the kitchen.
We stop in a local 'Karan' village the next night, right on the river. It's a right treat to get woken up at 4 in the morning by a cock-a-doodle-do animal. Sometimes it might even be a pig fighting with a dog.
Kids screaming
Elephants at the last put-in on the final day.
It's true what they say about elephants. I came across this same one three weeks earlier and it still remembered my name. Absolutely amazing.
The kids all have a raft and a Thai guide with them. I tend to take one of the kayaks so that I can keep my distance from the kids.
Most of them manage to stay in their rafts...
...although a few fall out and end up taking a bit of a rough swim.
"So, can I ask you where you were when my child was drowning in a rapid?"
"I was down the river paddling my kayak."
Third camp. The start of the Dirty Dancing 'Lift' rendition during a talent show. Rob's playing Patrick Swayze's character, while I'm playing Baby. Rob's just told the audience that "nobody puts Baby in a corner."
The famous 'Lift'. Notice the ease with which Rob lifts me high above his head.
Just like the original in many ways.
posted by Gareth at 11:31 PM
2 Comments:
Gareth, why are you wearing leggings?
Love Tid x
I think you are referring to Jennifer Grey as Frances 'Baby' Houseman and the phrase is 'Nobody puts baby in the corner'....I dont mind a bit of banter, but make sure the facts are correct!!!
Thanks- Tomo esq.
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