Hey everyone I hope you are all well. I thought I had better do another update as the old mind isn't too great and if i left it too long I think I may forget things.

The last time I wrote on here, I think I mentioned the heat and sunny weather, well as I left the internet cafe that day it had changed to monsoon weather, it was absolutely pouring. The majority of people were shelterng from it, but I was a lone figure walking down the street relishing it, it was so refreshing. However I do think it was lucky I was leaving Bangkok that day as I fear that I had begun to get a bit of a name for myself as the english girl who's lift doesn't quite go all the way up to the top floor!

I was on my way to Chiang Mai, on the overnight train. I was very excited about this journey and I wasn't disappointed, Anglia Rail could learn a thing or two from them. It was actually the best nights sleep I had since leaving my bed behind at home. A wonderful memory I have is on the Sunday morning at about 9am, I went between 2 of the carriages opened the door and just sat on the step and as we whizzed by I enjoyed the warm wind, bright sunny skies, mountainous landscape and seeing the farmers working on the land. Truly the best way to start a Sunday. It's nice to see that they haven't been bitten by the health and safety bug over here, I don't think I'd have got away with that back home. One area which would have been nice to see some health and safety however were the toilet facilities. The previous evening they were just about bearable, they did put my salsa fit classes to the test though, by the morning they were horrendous. I really can't describe how disgusting they were, so I did what any self respecting young english lady would do, I went back to my seat and willed with all my might for the train to reach its destination.

Once I got to the hotel in Chiang Mai (I must say they did some very clever photography work on their brochure, it wasn't as nice in reality), I had a much needed shower and decided to hit the Sunday markets. I am not really a shopping/market person, but a number of people had mentioned these markets to me so I figured they must be worthwhile, and besides I had another 2 days after the trek in Chiang Mai to look around. How I wish I'd never gone, I was really in a bad place both mentally and physically for a while. There were a number of food stalls at this market, for some reason the smell of the food turns my stomach, it was the same in Bangkok. I walked past a fish stall, I have trouble with the one on Diss marketplace, but imagine in this heat. I aim to be the type of person not to offend people, however on this occassion it was unavoidable, as I feel that empty wretching by some poor womans stall is not really complimentary behaviour. I then went into an indoor market thinking it would be nice and cool in there - silly Lydia, very wrong, I had just entered the largest indoor food market I had ever seen. Once more there were raw fish stalls, cooked fish stalls then I arrived at the meat section, there was a whole pigs head and the remainder of its skin next to it. I spotted the garlic stand and stood by that for a while enjoying the aroma, spotted the nearest exit and legged it, swearing that I would never eat again. I did get a bit peckish a couple of hours later and had the most deliscious squid salad! A number of people here wear those face masks, which I had presumed were for the pollution, now I realise it is due to the sheer intensity of the smell.

The trekking trip was amazing!! There were 8 of us in total. Nuala and Noel from Ireland, Richard from Sydney, VJ from Leeds, Alexanda from Czech and a couple from Hong Kong who were on their honeymoon. I felt quite privilaged that they had chosen to spend their honeymoon with me, little did they expect to find themselves sleeping on a mattress next to me in camp, no wonder the lady woke up screaming in the night due to a bad dream.

Our tour guide was Mr T, what a character he was, a bit of an old devil me thinks, especially with the ladies, Nuala got very nervous when he explained that he hadn't had an Irish girlfriend before. We got picked up from the hotel and how excited I was to be leaving the city and markets behind me to experience some of rural Thailand. We stopped off on the way at guess where..... yes, a market. I was seriously beginning to question the logistics of this trip. I smiled obligeingly and walked around the market, mustering as much enthusiasm as possible. All was ok though as we soon got back in the truck and the countryside began to appear. I was sat next to Nuala in the van, she was having trouble with her hair as it was so windy. It is important to unleash the morning hair that is within, it is extremely liberating. I am no longer a flirty thirty, instead I am a big haired, red sweaty faced, money belt wearing international explorer. I feel that I have taken to it like a duck to water, I could give Christopher Columbus a run for his money, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if I came home with the discovery of a new country under my belt.

We were to drive for an hour on the super highway and an hour on the bumpy roads. The scenery was getting more and more beautiful, and I was feeling happier and happier. We reaced our destination where we were to then set off on foot. I really did surprise myself with the shock realisation that I am not actually at my peak of physical fitness, I fear that may have passed some 15 years ago, fortunately there were no olympians in the group so I held my own. The face cloth however took some battering, I think I would have been drier if I stood under a shower.We walked up and up the mountain, Mr T every so often pointing things out to us, he really is very knowledgeable. It wasn't too much hard walking but really was very hot. After approx 1 hour walking we arrived at a waterfall where we were to have a swim. The boys just stripped off to their pants, whilst the 3 girls coyly got into our bikinis with towels wrapped around us. We really shouldn't have bothered, for as soon as myself and Nuala stepped under the waterfall it sent both our bikini bottoms going south, giving the rest of the group an ideal opportunity to go blind! It was wonferful and so refreshing in the water after being so hot. We stayed there for a bit before walking again along the river. Once again it wasn't too hard walking and due to us being under the trees it wasn't too hot. We crossed bamboo made paths, and crossed log bridges, I felt like I was out of that scene in dirty dancing, but there was no time for dancing, or for being dirty. We arrived at our camp where we were to stay the night, all in a row on a long mattress, we were going to bond on this trip. After a lovely meal (particularly enjoyed the pumpkin and chicken) we settled down to an evening of beer drinking and listening to Mr T's stories and his singing. We only went to bed once the beer had run out, which in hindsight was probably a very good thing.

The following day we were supposed to be riding the elephants, however we were informed that one of them was poorly, so we were going to do some more trekking through the jungle instead. It was this day that Mr T left us and passed us into the very capable hands of Mr M (we never new his name, but he reminded us all of Mr M from the katate kid, so that was his name, admittedly he never answered to it.) We walked for approx 3 hours, it was so humid, we were all drenched, drinking plenty of water was a necessity, and the beers the previous night seemed not quite such a good idea. Our camp for this night was at the home of a family near one of the villages, they were extremely welcoming. There was a young girl there probably about 5, she took a shine to us, Nuala especially, it was quite funny though that she ripped her off before leaving, she was selling hand made keyrings, she charged the boys 20 baht and Nuala 40 baht - ha! After once again a lovely meal the previous nights antics began to take its toll and the majority of the group went to bed. I decided to get a Thai massage, I think it is the best 4.50 I have ever spent. she massaged my feet, legs, hands, arms, back, neck and face, heaven. At one point she did quite a funky move where I was practically lying on top of her whilst she massaged my face, I was really hoping that none of my group woke up at that point as I feel that they may have had a few questions the next day. After the massage I was out like a light.

The third day of the tour was the best. In the morning we got up and walked to the nearby village and had a look around. It is amazing how self sufficient they are. There is a garden where they grow their own medicine, they rear their own animals and grow the fruit and veg, they appear so content. They are in the process of building a new temple in the village, this project has currently been going for 10 years and is not yet near completion, all their money goes towards this.

We then went to the elephant camp and rode the elephants, it was really enjoyable, we brought a bunch of bananas to feed them on the way. My elephant cottoned onto the fact that I had these and kept stopping and would not start again until I gave him another one, as you can imagine it got quite tricky when I ran out. Although I really enjoyed it you can't help thinking how bored thee elephants look, and its so unnatural for them.

We then drove to the river for the white water rafting. It was so so funny. Nuala had kept saying she was scared of this as she couldn't swim, however I realised just how scared she was when we arrived there and saw her face. Fair play she did it though, she explained that she didn't want to row as she wouldn't be able to hold on properly. Myself and Noel were at the front paddling, Nuala was in the middle nearly crying and holding on for dear life, and the guide was at the back, needless to say we weren't really getting very far so he stopped for reserves and got another man to help us. Halfway down, due to the intensity of Nuala's grip, the rope broke, it was hysterical, all I could hear behind me ws screamimg and 'my ropes broke, I can't hold on', I was crying I was laughing so much. Needless to say we made it safely the rest of the course and were rewarded with a nice cold beer.

We then headed back to Chiang Mai. On the way back we stopped at a factory where paper is made from the elephant dung, it really was quite interesting. Once back to the hotel we arranged to meet a couple of hours later where a night of beer and mojito's was on the cards - very enjoyable!

Today is my last day in Chiang Mai, I am getting picked up from the hotel at 4pm, ready to once again embark on my overnight train adventure. I spend the day in Bangkok tomorrow, before travelling overnight to the south and the island of Ko Tao, where my diving course awaits me. After that I have 2 weeks on the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan, where I will go to the full moon party and practise my beached whale impression, me thinks I have a small slice of heaven coming my way.

It is amazing how much I have seen and experienced in just over a week, I am absolutely loving it and don't know why I left it so long.

To those of you who are still awake after reading this - well done!!

I hope everyone is well back in blighty, and I send lots of love to you all. I promise there will be some photos soon.

Speak soon. xxxx