Story / 09 Oct 2016 / 0 COMMENTS

A Shortcut through the Jungle

Running out of gas and feeling rather hungry I drove past a small roadside shop and gas station in the middle of the mountains somewhere between Chiang Dao and Pai.

With my bike filled up on petrol I started a conversation with the people sitting in front of the shop, who were having lunch together.

They must have observed that I was hungry and invited me to join in and share their homegrown sticky rice. I couldn’t say no and within minutes was served Instant noodles with eggs and vegetables.

“I hope this food isn’t too simple for you” one of the girls said to me.

“No, not at all!” I replied.

“We (Karen people) eat very simple foods up here in the mountains, not like those in the cities.”

“I like any food” I replied.

“So what food do you normally eat in Bangkok?” One of them asked.

“I like having street food and curry, but if I feel like having something more special, I have some western food like Pizza.”

“Oh we don’t have Pizzas here in the mountains, but I really want to try one” the girl replied.

The conversation continued on and I was told about the the different tribes and ways of life in the mountains until I had to make a move.

“Where are you heading next?” One of them asked.

“I’m not sure yet. But where does this road go?”

“You’re funny, this road goes on through the mountains to Pai, but I don’t think you should try going there in this season with your bike.”

Thirty minutes later after driving through a river I understood what she meant by her last sentence.

After getting stuck in mud, pushing the bike up steep slopes and losing the phone signal, the situation felt like a proper adventure.

There were occasional settlements and farms but the majority of the drive led me through thick jungles, fields and hills with the occasional breathtaking view across the landscape of Northern Thailand.

As the road got steeper and the air cooler I emerged onto a freshly paved road leading up to an official viewpoint. Here I could see all the way back to the mountain tops of Chiang Dao National Park at the edge of the horizon and between it and where I was standing a large expanse of forests and hills.

Whilst breathing in the fresh air and looking down I spotted a village or two and wondered what the Karen family was doing right now.

Still 50km to go I left the viewpoint and continued my journey towards Pai.