After a quick banana shake we set off to begin our early morning start to a day long tour of Northern Chiang Mai booked through 5 star tours (which we can highly recommend as our agent, Map, is very friendly and courteous).
Our minibus filled with Australians who were hungover, and a token Canadian who had been living in Korea for 2 years. Our first stop was the Orchid and Butterfly farm about an hour drive outside of Chiang Mai. There isn't too much to shout about here.
From here it was time to go venturing deep into Chiang Dao cave to see numerous buddha images strewn throughout the cave once used as a hideout for the Burmese invaders. We went as far as we could into cave before needing a torch as it was pitch black.
After finishing lunch we were off to visit the hill-tribes. A 2 hour drive later we entered the village and were introduced to a few members of the long-neck tribe when we could ask a few questions like the obvious 'does it hurt?' which they say it does not. They take the rings off to add a new one with more coils.
Such a charming people and very welcoming, we felt lots of guilt for exploiting these very friendly villagers. But then again it wasn't a 'true' village as all we walked through were shops to sell their hand-made wares, which we bought plenty of and saw how they were made. It was more of a refugee camp as the long-necks aren't a Thai tribe, so they are living off the Thai government and the money their tribe makes from tourists. So a few photos later, we set off back for the 3 hour drive to Chiang Mai.
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