Hello hello

Im writing this from Chang Mai! We have had a hectic sort of week! We went to see the bridge over the river kwai as a day trip and loved it! We got to go on the train, got to walk over the bridge and got to the museum! Stephen was in awe he just loved it! Me and gary had a good day but i think it was stephens highlight of the trip so far! We had a long drive back to bangkok where we caught a plane at 10 for Chang Mai! A Lot of traveling in one day but worth it - Chang Mai is gorgeous!

A different world from Bangkok! Our guest house is a bit of a walk to the city which is fine if it wasnt for the lanes of mad traffic that you have to cross to get into the city! They are mad drivers here too! We walked about the day after we arrived just to get to see the city! That night we met jack! Jack and his friend Pat were the boyos who were going to look after us for the next few days! We were going on a trek/hike/mountain climb which we were lead to believe was a walk...Oh no it was full on hiking.

Anyhoo off we went, stopped at a local market to get all the essentials mainly water and toilet roll! There was us three, two scottish girls, an ozy and a canadian doctor called mark who didnt get one injection for his trip (grrrrrr - the cost of the damm things)! Our next stop was to elephant ride! Was cool but cruel at the same time! I fed ours which made me feel lsightly better about trailing it round with three people on its back in this heat! Have a look at the photos! The next part came all too quickly....

It was over 30 degrees and we were in the middle of a jungle climbing a mountain! It was worth it when we stopped at a waterfall though - our whole group took full advantage and we were there for an hour or so just cooling down and taking a dip!

A few hills later and we arrived at our bed for the night ( the photos sahould say it all) We stayed with a hilltribe - poor is the only way to describe it! We washed out of a bucket with freezing cold water, we slept on the floor and the only light we had was the camp fire! Was a great experience and it only confirmed to us that the thai people are lovely! They are always happy and friendly and would go out of their way to help!

Again have a wee look at the photos and you will see what i am talking about!

The next day we had a more pleasent downhill walk. a stop at a water fall and then lunch followed by bamboo rafting! It was all good and well worth the WALK!!!!!

The last few days have been realxing and winding down before we get on the road again.....Roll on Vietnam!!