After the bustle of Bangkok and Chang Mai we arrived in Chang Rai to join the staff of the PDA ( a group set up to help control the birth rate of the hill tribes) to take us up to the high country. Staying in basic bamboo huts in villages each night we trekked through jungles of bamboo, pine forest and open plantations of coffee and oranges. With temperaturs in the 80’s and humidity high it was tough going up steep hill trails, the only respite from fresh water streams and waterfalls. The villages themselves area amazing. Lisu and Akha were the 2 we visited, both different but both friendly. Living off the land and some tourism, they earn a living from coffee which replaces the opium crops they used to profit from. At least coffee now is more lucrative and honest. The coffee too is really good! In Akha village I joined 2 travellers to dress with the ladies of the village in traditional costume before participating in some musical entertainment for the rest of the group and some local villagers! The costume was beautiful, with silver coins – indian rupees and others – and colourful balls of fabric, it was heavy too! The final day was al down hill through rice fields and fruit crops, past a chinese village and finally to meet our bus to take us back to the hotel in Chang Mai and a hot shower!
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