Hello!!

Sorry its been so long, we have been living with a tribe for the last three days (they havnt discovered the internet yet). Wow it was great. We are in the north of Thailand at the moment, Chang Mai to be precise. We got here on the overnight train, which was an experience itself, drinking brandy with a random thai man who seemed to get very drunk very quickly...watching him fall into random beds in the carriage. Before setting off for the visit to the tribe we had a day exploring Chang Mai...more temples....but there was an especially nice one at the top of the hill, but other than that a temples a temple!

We set off early the next day, travelling around 2 hours by a sort of pick up truck with a roof (type of vehicle we are now use too), before we got to the start of the trek we had a ride on some elephants, really good fun, during the elephant trek we went through the river so they could have a drink and a wash. The elephants were greedy and kept on wanting bananas, telling us they were hungry by putting their trunk in our face....Nice.

The walk began after a pic nic style lunch at the bottom of the mountain....sadly they must have forgotten the champagne, but water and noodles was still good. The trek was fantastic, we went through rice fields, alot of jungle walking and getting over rivers using bamboo canes. Within the first half hour of the trek we walked over a snake, which apparently would kill you if it was to bite you within 1 hour, and as we were more than an hour from a hospital it didnt make me feel fully confident with the trek!

The walk was really good but the heat was rediculous, we sweated and sweated so much, as soon as we strated the sweat would be pumping from our skin. We were very wet. We walked for around 4 hours, with a couple of stops to have some much appreciated water melon, and then finally arrived at the huts where we stayed for the first night. The huts didnt have any showers, so we had to go to the stream to wash....yes i know you must be suprised (i did try and look for a power shower), but after the walk the stream was brilliant (oh and to top it off the loo was a hole in the ground). The hut was next to the tribal village, they were all really nice. The huts were all made out of bamboo, proved difficult when walking inside them as Ryan realised. We were all getting changed into our swimmig shorts when Ryans leg went through the bamboo floor....very funny.

The food was really good, they just cooked for us using a fire and a big wok. After a few drinks of their rice whisky (tastes like a watered down version of normal whisky and its clear) we went to bed. Lets just say it wasnt the best nights sleep we had ever had. In the morning we set off early to get to the next village, the walk was around 4 hours again, walking up mountains and over streams. The huts were very similar to the ones that we had just stayed in, again no shower. Here we had the chance to chill out in the afternoon and walk around the village, giving the opportunity to see how the peope lived. Their lives seem very simple, but they are all happy. In the evening it poured down, everything was damp, but such a good experience. After a slightly better sleep we left the camp and headed back towards civilisation, but first of all we visited the village school (literally just a hut, very similar to the type of schools you see on comic relief). We got to watch the kids sing and dance, of course we also belted out a few numbers....such hits as Old mcdonald and heads shoulders knees and toes. Before leaving the school we gave gifts to the children (we had bought them before leaving the city) things like chocolate mils, trousers and toys. They were so grateful.

During the walk back (you dont even want to imagine what we smelt like, a cross between stream water, sweat and mold) we had to cross some rivers and brooks using bamboo bridges. Ryan was getting across one bridge, i then stepped on and it snapped. He managed to cling on to the hand rail and pull himself across, very funny.

Before heading back we went water rafting on bamboo canes, it was so much fun. We were going over rapids, tipping up and generally getting very wet! It was a great feeling arriving back at the hotel, i did miss my little luxuries....shower and a toilet. In the evening we walked around Chang Mai market and watched a thai boxing match. It was so much fun, there were 7 fights from kids to adults. The ladys fight was really good, they were so tough, and for one of the fights they stook four lads in the ring blindfolded and let them fight (very funny) to finish the night off we had a few drinks in a few random bars.

This morning we got up early and went to a Thai cooking school. W cooked spicy soup, red curry, noodles and spring rolls. It was great fun. This afternoon we have been relaxing at a pool and catching up on some sleep.

Tonight we are going to a few more bars, but not going to drink too much as we are leaving early on a bus heading for the golden triangle for a couple of days.

Will update the blog as soon as we can,

Love Bryn and Ryan