July 29, 2017

Today we left our little oasis amongst the trees in order to board the traditional Thai style long boats. We made our way up stream passing setting our eye on the  incredible homes nestled amongst the lush green forrest that surroundednthebriver bank. We travel about 30 minutes up stream absorbing the country side and all that is worth. We proceeded to pull over to the side of the river and step foot upon the the muddy bank in order to walk up to the village that was home to natural hot springs that run at a mere 240 degrees Fahrenheit...ouch. There was a large swimming pool sized spring for bather and private tub all nestled umongst trees that shaded and housed birds that chirped song to one another. At the source of the spring thai ingenuity would have it that they boiled eggs and bamboo shoots. We had just enough time in thisnvillage to get a our best massage yet, under the trees as bird song filled our ears and the warm humid air laid upon our skin. After our massages we boarded our boat and continued along the river that was surround by lush greeneery. Upon arriving in another village we at lunch at a local restaurant as we watched at true Thai storm unfold before us. The sound of rain on a tin roof and thunder surrounded us as we demolished the best damn green curry a girl could get. After lunch we walked over to the Karen village, home to he long necked women. This village was refugees from across the Burma border that practiced the custom of wearing bronze rings around their necks. This was once intended to protect from being bit on the neck by the tigers, but has since become a beauty custom in their culture. Young women begin wearing rings around their necks at about age 3 in which they are still too young to fully comprehend the intention behind the custom. Much of this experience was powerful to see the stark changes in livelyhood of these families that are dependent on the tourism to support their families. It made us want to buy everything in sight. We then stopped at the Akha village that at one point was dependent on opium growth and use, until the king created a project based on agriculture to formulate a source of income for their economy. After walking through the village, we gained insight on whee they allocate their values. We then hopped back into the car and took a quick jant to our hotel that sat on the Maekok river in Ba Tha Thon. To date this little resort nestled in the jungle with spectacular views has to be the best that we have stayed at thus far. Exhausted and weary from our adventures we decided to enjoy the serenity of our hotel.

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