Doi Inthanon (51)

Doi Inthanon (51)
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Above is Darren, Susan, Tazeen and I at Doi Inthanon National Park, for more photos of the park click on the flicker badge.

After 3 1/2 weeks in Bangkok and a week travelling with 22+ people a few of us thought two days of nature R&R on our days off was necessary. So after the field study we took a rickety bus 60 k south of Chaing Mai (took 1.5 hours!). Then got a ride up to Doi Inthanon National Park. We got off at the headquarters and found our little cabin for two nights. We had a beer and dinner at the park canteen and toasted to the fresh air, trees, birds and freedom.

Of all funny things is we went up there to get away and it ends up it was the annual bike race up Doi Inthanon (2500+ meters). So there were lots of folks around to get a ride to the top of the mountain. It was pretty fun watching some of the race. Doi Inthanon is the highest point in Thailand and the mountains are considered the foothills of the Himalayas. We visited the King and Queens temple just below the top, took a photo at the "highest point" sign and hiked a few nature trails.

One trail went through four ecosystems and took us out on the savanna with amazing views. We all felt free and cleansed by the air and the views and the lack of people and man made stimulation. I even hugged a tree or two.

After getting a ride back down to the cabin we decided to walk to this nearby waterfall. It was a surprise really as no one at the park said we should see it. We figured it was just a quick picture and a small falls. But it ended up being a 25 meter drop and a beautiful little park with trails. Another surprise was a cute little restaurant that uses all the vegetable grown in the area (there were a lot of green houses near us growing flowers and vegetables). So we enjoyed a great meal before returning in the dark.

We were all sad to have to head back to the city. We enjoyed relaxing and reading and having a slow morning and then headed back down the mountain. We stopped at two more waterfalls and both were just as spectacular (but different) then the others. We even enjoyed a quick dip in the river. We even made it back with enough time for a quick massage (massage here only costs $6 US for an hour! hard not to go for that before our flight).

So it was back to Bangkok and classes. . .but savoring the beauty of Doi Inthanon.