Down in the jungle...there is something truly beautiful.

I hauled myself up the steep wall of mud and leaves with the help of a knobbly stick, I raised my eyes to the sky, which was impossible to see due to the lush green foliage encasing the jungle. A single bead of sweat crept down my forehead towards my eyebrow. A sharp slap on the arm brought me back to earth “Mosquito!” exclaimed Woody, the trek leader, taking a swig of home brew; “More Beer, More Power.” I glanced down at my grubby forearm to see the remainders of a winged creature. I noticed that the other members of the trek were several steps ahead of me, all of whom were kitted out perfectly in anti-sweat gear, hiking boots and hats to absorb their perspiration. My own trekking ensemble consisted of my trustworthy vans along with a t-shirt that I should have washed beforehand as it smelt slightly fusty. My bottom half covered with a pair of exceptionally high waisted black cargo pants that I had haggled for at the Chiang Mai night bazaar the evening before.

We stopped for a break beside a mesmerising waterfall which had a shallow pool beneath it. As the other members of the trek peeled off their attire I made a dash for the waters edge, removing my shoes and socks. I stood with my hot swollen feet in the icy liquid- the drop in temperature on my sweat drenched body was a relief. I stood surveying the thundering waterfall crashing into the pool; creating a riot of ripples. I drank in my surroundings, until I lost my balance and slipped on the slimy green rocks, fully clothed into the water. I gasped enthusiastically in shock as I scrabbled to stand upright again before the others noticed my clumsiness.

The remainder of that day was a damp and soggy affair, I could almost see the steam evaporating from my sticky body. As the sun went down we climbed higher still. We were almost at our village homestay when a rush of angry rain burst out of the sky, fighting its way down through the leaves, branches and vines to the muddy ground below us. I charged on as my feet slid awkwardly underneath me, my hands grappling for stability on the smooth bark around me. I eventually caught up with my fellow trekkers; we had made it to our home for the night.

As my head hit my sleep-mat my muscles pulsed. I wondered what the hell I was doing here. I listened to the insects creaking and the fire crackling beneath our elevated huts, the pigs snuffled and the dogs sighed in their sleep. The next morning I woke with the sun. As I peered out at my surroundings I realised why I had done this; rolling mounds of rich green vegetation as far as the eye could see, topped with a misty white haze, the orange sun creeping into the day ahead. A beautiful scene imprinted on my brain for life.