On morning 2, we met in the hotel lobby packed and ready to board our safari vehicle and head into the mountains. We made a short jaunt to a local open-air market outside the city to taste crazy-looking and delicious tropical fruits (green oranges; star fruit with the neon pink and green scaly exterior and translucent white flesh with black seeds; tasty fruit with long pink hair and pits in the middle) and dried worms that tasted like seasoned potato chips. Then back into the car for a quick drive to the awe-inspiring Mork-Fa falls in the middle of the jungle, where we splashed about in the warm waters and generally stood astounded. The mist tumbled from above and the blue of sky and water contrasted with the white of the falls, gray of rock, and varied greens of the foliage. Before we knew what was happening, Dee -- our young Tarzan of a jungle guide, was scaling rock faces and doing flips off cliffs and through the waterfalls. He led us up a slick rock platform and through the roaring current of the falls to a spot behind the wall of white, through which we could just make out the shapes of the travelers and jungle behind. The winds behind the falls were so intense that small currents of water rushed UP the rock face behind us to create an arch overhead before joining the greater flow on the other side and crashing down into the pool of water below.

After our invigorating swim, we made our way back through the jungle, climbed back aboard the vehicle, and made the short trip to a lovely wood-framed road-side restaurant with excellent local food, and after lunch our trekking adventures began! We followed hillside ridges up and down and through the forest, small packs on our backs, exposed skin bathed in impenetrable insect repellent, and eyes wide to the surroundings. Our guides showed us miraculous little tricks of nature, like how to make leaves explode in our hands, blow bubbles from the stems of soap plants, and create face paint with the charcoal of burned trees (Dee painted a large black handlebar mustache on my face...how pretty). They pointed out the wildlife, climbed trees to gather mango and papaya for us (which was absolutely the most incredible fruit I've ever eaten), and chopped down bamboo chutes to use in home-cooked dinners. Since it's rainy season at the moment, the trails were quite slippery and we all looked interesting with our ponchos and shoes covered in red clay from wiping out (we're not so coordinated), but it was absolutely a blast!

After a couple hours of walking (including breaks, don't worry), we got our first glimpse of the village in which we'd be staying for the night. Rice terraces tumbled down the mountainsides, and wooden homes broke up the sea of green. Cows, chickens, and pigs wandered about the footpaths, and brightly colored clothing hung from balconies like festival flags. And let me tell you, folks: it was breathtaking. We watched and helped the village women prepare the rice just brought in from the fields, and then we made our way to our home for the night. Since three generations of family members live in house that was offered to us, that meant that we were surrounded by grandparents with beautiful smile lines, parents with welcoming arms, and children with the most gorgeous big brown eyes I've ever seen. What an incomparable scenario!

I was invited to help the family and guides prepare dinner, and then the whole group learned to make Thai spring rolls. Dinner was fabulous and followed by a night on the porch that hung just above the top of the jungle's trees. The evening was made complete with games, conversation, and a most beautiful exchange amongst travelers and locals. That night and its openness prove the perfect example of why I travel.

The following day, we had to bid adieu to the family that so kindly hosted us, and upon our departure we were all given the gift of bamboo cups carved by the family's son that very morning! We then trekked further through the rice terraces and jungles, stopping to take in the scenery, rehydrate, and eat the fruit of the trees surrounding. At lunchtime we arrived at an elephant camp along the river, fed ourselves and fed the beautiful elephants, and then took a fantastic ride through the forest on the backs of the gentle beasts! We waded through rivers and maneuvered paths that seemed far too small for our massive transport. Then some of us took the opportunity to ride the necks of the elephants, guiding with our voices and with our legs which were tucked so nicely behind the colossal ears of our new pets. What fun!

Then it was on to our next home, a modern and handsome village on the banks of a winding river. We dropped our bags and ran straight down to the water for an afternoon dip. We jumped off the cliffs into the gentle current, splashed about, and then built sandcastles and sandtemples on the shore. Before we knew it, late afternoon had faded into evening and dinnertime was upon us. I joined Megan and Nikki, the two young Brits, in the home's large kitchen, and we three were soon employed as the taste-testers of various foods and local rice whiskey. Excellent. We sat around on woven mats as spices filled the air and Dee strummed the guitar. Other guides came and went, and soon enough dinner was served. The group ate in a candlelit circle on the floor of the huge porch and watched night fall in the jungle. After yet another delicious meal, we filled the night air with guitar and singing, and we shared stories and wonderful Thai massages (you really must have one...they're especially glorious on the feet). It was only when we realized it was past midnight that we decided to get some sleep before our next day in the hills of Thailand.