Well...We've had a very interesting couple of days. We arrived in Bangkok early on Thursday morning, aiming to get an overnight train up to Chiang Mai. But when we got there we found out that no trains or buses were running due to floods up North (yes, more rain), so the only viable option was to get another flight (that makes 11 altogether). It actually worked out pretty cheap - about 5 pounds more expensive than the train - but contrary to the view that the more you fly, the less you worry about it, my fear just seems to be getting worse and worse. Maybe something to do with the age, size, quality etc. of the planes we seem to be getting... Oh, and that night, we stayed in the most amazing hotel - we thought it was going to be ulta expensive, but we only ended up paying 10 pounds each, and it was well worth it. We had this huge suite for the four of us: two en-suite bathrooms, tv room, bar area, 3 t.v's, swimming pool etc etc. It was AMAZING. I did take photos to show you all just how cool it was, but I don't think you'll get to see them (see below). As soon as we arrived in Chiang Mai we found a cheap and cheerfull guesthouse (about 1 pound a night each, and it has a swimming pool), and booked up the obligatory two day treck and cooking course. Then we went to a couple of markets, where Lauren and Laura seemed to buy a necklace or bracelet from every stall, and I, shock horror, didn't buy anything. Strange. We left for our treck yesterday morning, all of us pretty excited, although Dani was more than terrified about the prospect of spending a night in a wooden hut, due to her fear of spiders. Unfortunately, the day started badly, and only got worse... ok, so here's a list of things that went wrong: 1) my contact lense split for the millionth time this holiday (Grant and Glass opticians, I expect a full refund!) 2) I jarred my neck somehow, which hurt, a lot. 3) During our first excursion of the day, climbing a limestone waterfall (which was really cool, until...), our guide thought it would be really funny to drop my camera down the waterfall. He managed to rescue it, but I think it's dead. 4) The we went on a 3 hour treck through the forest, which was tough but Adventure Katie loved it (not sure the other girls were so keen though). Loved it until I fell over...twice. And hurt my bad wrist and got cuts everywhere. Good news though - last fall managed to miraculously cure my neck. 5) We rode elephants. Something that I was adament I'd never do after hearing about the conditions they're kept in over here. But I was told that they're treated really well at the place we were going, so I decided to do it. Big mistake. I ended up having a bit of an episode when our guy started whipping the elephant really hard and teasing it and generally being really mean. Plus I really didn't like being that high up. 6) The following day (this morning) started much better. We went on another treck, met some really cute puppies, and we were all really looking forward to our second bamboo raft of the holiday. Hmmmm. All four of us got onto one raft, which immediately sunk far too low into the murky river for our liking. Then, about half way through, our guide mis-judged a rapid, and we got marooned in the middle of the river. The raft was completely jammed and kind of sinking, so the guide asked us to get onto a log. Fine - rather that than sit on a sinking strip of bamboo. After about 10 minutes of us all balancing on this bit of wood (we must have looked ridiculous), the guide managed to free the raft. Unfortunately this made the log sink immediately. Me and Dani managed to leap back onto the raft, but Lauren and Laura got stuck. Then the raft got caught in the rapid and jammed back into the log, and right into Laura's leg. I think we all thought it must be broken because of the impact, and she was, understandably terrified. Meanwhile, our guide had swam off to find his flip flop. Super Katie to the rescue: I managed to find a hole between the log and the raft and squeezed my feet in to push the raft away, whilst Lauren held Laura up to stop her being dragged under the water. It worked. Unfortunately my foot then got stuck and I now have a beautiful bruise on it, and am just starting to regain full movement and the ability to walk. And then it started raining. So I can safely say that we're all glad to be back in Chiang Mai. We just watched the British Grand Prix (and by the way, can people stop telling me how amazing the weather is over there. I can see for myself thank you very much), we've got an all day cooking course tomorrow. And then we head down south to the islands, where the weather is going to be amazing (positive mental attitude) and we're going to relax for the first time in 6 weeks. Hallelujah. p.s. a positive outcome of our two day treck: Lauren realised she was a butterfly in her previous life. A turqouise butterfly princess to be precise. All because 3 butterflies landed on her during the walks. Clearly the altitude is getting to her. p.p.s Laura is also fine. Thought I'd better add that in case anyone gets worried.