Well we are just about now becoming used to the heat after being here for 4 days, which should prepare us for the rest of the journey. We have experienced some great things and some not so great, we visited the Tiger Kingdom after speaking to an Austrailian couple who lead us to believe that it was ok and the conditions of the Tigers were fine, that they do alot for the conservation project of the species. However whilst the physical condition of the Tigers was indeed fine the enclosures they were kept in were small and cramped and the tourist put above the Tigers...... The handler we had, wanted to move the sleepy Tiger to another spot of the enclosure so that we could get a better shot as we were facing into the sun, despite us telling him not to move the Tiger and that it was ok he still did making the Tiger aggy!!!! This then ended our experience and left us with a hollow feeling inside.

Now for the good! The next day we enjoyed a fantastic day with the Asian Thai Elephants meeting them and feeding them, even getting to wash them in the river. The Elephant Nature Park really is doing a good job in rescuing Asian Elephants that have been left over from logging as it is now illegal in Thailand and Elephants that have been rescued from owners who are using them to beg off tourists in the cities not to mention ones that have been bought in from Burma that have stood on land mines. They have 36 in all with 4 males and the rest females ranging from 24 months to 80 years old. It was a fantastic day and we learnt alot about the project and the Asian Elephant, a real feel good factor after the dissapointing day before.

The food is great up here and have spent most nights at John's Place the food is excellent and just a hop skip and a jump from The Blues Pub on Moon Muang Rd to the left as you go through the Thapae Gate. Both really chilled out places with John's Place offering really cheap and good in comparison to other places Thai food, 58bht for a curry with good views upstairs. Oh and the place we are staying at what a find....... thanks to all on Trip Advisor who mentioned Top Garden Boutique Hotel excellent at only 500bht a night and really great hosts Victor & Thuanda.

Heading back to the Airport in half an hour and returning back to Bangkok then its a quick overnight stop by the airport and an early start to catch the flight to Hanoi on the 10th........ Good Morning Vietam!!! as they say!!!