Trekkies and hilltribes

While in Pai we opted for a 2-day trek to get uncomfortable and see the local Lahu hilltribe. When we arrived at 9am (almost) ready for our trekWe lucked out and had a small group of just the guide, Ingo and I. We were sold on the guide from the start when we saw his modest business and spoke with his friendly wife, but Sam Sok topped it off with a great personality to match. It felt like we were in for something special away from the usual tourist tracks.

We started off hiking out of a Karen mountian village so that we could compare the living styles of each in the end. Within th efirst ten minutes we were hiking through a streambed for a trail, and trying to get past a stubborn cow.

The terrain and foliage quickly changed as we trekked up the steep slopes. We saw the effects of clearcutting and teakwood and bamboo removal.



The landscape was so beautiful but I couldnt help but wonder what the rainy season looked like...ahh another time
This time of year is especially hard on the tribes' animals which struggle to find enough food on the drying rice crops. Fortunetely theres still plenty of spots for fresh water, I was ready to make like a water buffalo and cool down at some points





It was difficult to tell how old our guide was, he was in stellar shape, and I would guess mid fifties only after adding ten plus years to my first guess. Ingo and I gsve him a run for the money though, it was funny the reasons he would find to take a pause on the trail: "Look at that Teak tree!" As we stopped and stared at yet another one. Here he stopped to collect some (extra) tinselwood for our dinner fire:


After 15km and 6 hours later, we finally reached the village.

We were introduced to our digs for the night, and immedietly made a run for victory drinks, where we also had the chance to fire off a homemade rifle:



Did I mention our guide also was a former cook at his own restaurant? Preparing dinner in house:


Villagers building a new house for one of the evergrowing families (people don't have much to do there):

Village life was interesting, but very simple as expected. We didn't take many photos of the people there because we didn't want to be any more intrusive. Of course we were very welcome though, as tourists are one of the main sources of income for them. Opium has long been another source, but since the government crackdown years ago, most have moved on to selling their handmade wares and massages. I opted for the massage which felt like I was being lightly kneaded like bread, far off from the tough twisty Thai style I had enjoyed before.

The guide had some insightful points on the all too simple lifestyle the Lahus are accustomed too. He felt that they were lazy and weren't open to innovation like alternative farming techniques that he tried to teach them. They instead make some quick money on tourists and spend it at the store which is a longshot from their village. The government has stepped in with some water piping and solar panels, but the hilltribe kids are still seperated from the rest at school. Foreigners are also not allowed to spend time at the villages to help without a guide. In the end I felt like it was a good experience though, and an important lifestyle to be aware of since there are so many of these communities in Thailand.

Wrapping it up the only way we know how: