Get picked up by open backed taxi and pick up others from other hotels before heading to jungle via market where guides bought food and supplies for trek. Lunch in jungle before 3 hr trek to village - slippy terrain as rainy season so a few nasty falls but nothing too serious! Eventually reach village where we will stay for the night - 11 in group for first night and then down to 4 of us for night 2 as most people only doing 1 night in the jungle. Real back...

Manage after many phone calls to get into hostel at 4am - feeling whacked so sleep until past official check-out then check into nicer hostel for one night before 3 day jungle trek - owned by Aussie/Thai. Book trek and hit famous Chiang Mai night bazarr before watching Thai Boxing at crazy indoor bar/stadium - 8 fights inc one English guy who virtually knocks his opponent out with knee to the head before shouting triumphantly 'he's gone'!!

Look around Ko San Road again before hitting Burger King for a 'Thailand planning session' in the shelter of air conditioning. Leave big bag packs in hostel storage and get 13 hr bus to Chiang Mai - as trains are not running for nxt 2 wks due to flooding!

Another schorcher! Explore some of the awesome temples of Bangkok - visit The National Museum and Grand Palace - home to the Emerald Buddha temples - amazing colours, intricate design and gold everywhere. Dinner at same place as yday - drinks on Ko San Road - massive Sang Som whisky bucket each with red bull and coke - comes with 4 straws so not really intended for one person!

Late start after getting up late following over 51 hrs of travel. Explore the infamous Ko San Road, with its mass of tuk tuks, street vendors, music and general chaos. Walk to Golden Mountain temple - big complex up high with great views of city centre. Boiling weather, v humid, temp in mid 30's - swimming pool is a great relief!! Dinner at great resturant - good prices - lovely food and funky tunes. Get taxi to Patpong - red light district - see some c...