Thailand Hilltribe Trek 1990
The attraction of the Thailand trip was to go trekking in the jungle and staying in bamboo huts on stilts in the villages.
The attraction of the Thailand trip was to go trekking in the jungle and staying in bamboo huts on stilts in the villages.
Typical hut
This one is fairly typical of the huts in which we stayed.
Village
These huts were not in any sort of "Thai Disneyland"
Indeed conditions needed some dedication and adaption.
This was one of the more elaborate sets of washing facilities.
The toilet facilities have already been seen in the last but one picture.
Meals
Apart from getting very dirty and beginning to rot in places, we actually lived very well.
Food was excellent and hygiene was good - no stomach upsets.
Images like this are seen when you get your file developed. It is too dark to see much in the huts.
The idea of fireplaces in bamboo huts was not one I had pictured in advance of the trip.
Village life
For a westerner there was much to see, like this device for pounding grain followed by the separation of chaff.
Children
Children are charming the world over.
Here their toys are not bought in a toy shop.
They grow up fast like this little girl chopping maize with a razor-sharp machete!
Hill country
There is still a lot of forest in the north of Thailand.
For lovers of trekking, it is a great place.
Although you have to endure high temperatures (typically 35°C) and humidity.
You need to be able to handle the local bridges.
Do not expect to see much wildlife - it has all been eaten. Although columns of ants stretching for a hundred metres are common.
Other tribes
Some live in larger and less remote villages. They are usually have more money - see the corrugated iron house panels.
In some villages they may be willing to perform dances for you.
With some tribes on the higher and colder hills, the huts may be substantial timber affairs, built on the ground.
Personally I felt staying in these was a bit like travelling in time. Europe was using huts like these a thousand years ago.
Work carried on at night in the hut.
Grinding maize....
.... and getting the darning done.
Opium
This was the one place where we were sharing space with an opium addict.
He was happy to show us how to prepare an opium pipe, by torchlight.
Giraffe-neck tribes
A visit to a village of giraffe-neck women was a highlight of the trip.
The stiff neck generates a very dignified appearance.
Especially dignified as they sit weaving cloth.
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This is a set of photos only. No diary was kept during 1990.
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