Despite what we said we unfortunately made the mistake of starting our trek on 5 hours sleep and hungover!! Believe us we wont make that mistake again!! We were picked up from our guest house 9.30am sharp, then did the rounds to pick up the other trekkers and went on our way. We were driven 1 hour in the blazing sun, guzelling water and eating crisps (bear in mind the hangover) and Alaine had a quick cat nap. 1st destination was a food market where we were supossed to learn of the local cuisine and ingredients, but we were mobbed by toothless grannies wearing tribal clothes trying to sell us wooden frogs. So instead we ran into the local shop and stocked up on crisps, water and coke. An hour later we arrived at the bottom of a mountain where we were refuelled with lunch - fried rice. After letting that settle, we began our trek through some of the toughest terrain imaginable. We were told our destination was the lahu hill tribal village which was at the top of the 1600ft mountain we were climbing. We could never have imagined how tough it was...or how much of a fitness test it was going to be. Anyone thinking of doing a hill trek, pls bear this mind...as there's no going back! 2 hours later...the end was in sight and we finally saw the village and for the first time in 2 hours we sat down and had a rest. We arrived to the village where we were greeted by a family - who were going to look after us that night. We had our own bamboo hut for all the trekkers to sleep and eat in...no electricity, no hot water...sometimes not even cold!! Bee - our guide took us for a wander around the village before tea, where we saw many interesting sights!! Boys as young as 4 smoking their version of roll up cigarettes and who could forget the infamous "Dr.O" aka Dr. Opium...who demonstrated how to smoke opium. He was pretty chilled out...

After a nights sleep, we were woken by the kids wandering around our bamboo hut, we were fed breakfast and started on our next journey to a waterfall. Downhill but still as tough, as we were going cross country this time, through the jungle. After that we then walked another hour across rivers to the elephant camp - where Mark got to ride his first elephant. The experience was not as he'd hoped because as soon as got on our elephant, a fight broke out between him and another...people were running away as the elephant started lifting their foot legs and making funky elephant noises - all we could do was hold on and I had to try to convince Mark to stay on the elephant - which he did...and we bought some bananas to bribe him into being good. 

We fed again and then it was time to put on our life jackets and try some white water rafting - which despite sharing a boat with 2 israeli's who did not paddle once, Mark and I managed to keep the boat from capsizing against the rocks. It was a great experience and strongly suggest this to any thrill seekers...next was bamboo rafting which the Israeli couple tried to sink...but we managed to keep afloat only to a have a close encounter with some crocs!! After that adventure it was time to get dry and go home...but the tour overall was an experience that we'll never forget. Definately recommend it!

We got back to civilisation, enjoyed the luxury of a warm shower and headed out to the bar we have frequented since arriving...free pool and internet and beer at 65bt per pint (90p) plus wicked chicken salads...so Alaine is happy!! So quele surprise another hangover is the order of the day! Plus we are aching so much we can barely walk. Alaine manage to hobble over to the massage place over the road and enjoyed an hour long massage for around 2 GBP. Now we're  off for another chicken salad...Mark to beat me at pool again...and then a 24 hour trip down to ko tao...via bus, train and boat...tune in soon for island update...we cant wait to hit the beach!

Also we have photos on here now....and keep the messages coming!!

xxxxx