Hi everyone!

I'm back in Bangkok after spending 5 days up north in Chiang Mai. It's been a hectic first week and a half away, but it's been eventful and I've enjoyed it loads!!

First things first, I know the question that is on everyone lips.... Have I had a dodgy stomach yet?! The answer is no I haven't, I've been partially constipated but definitely no diarrohea, so, so far so good!!

The first couple of days in Bangkok were a bit strange, having been to India helps, as it reminds me of India but a little less chaotic. Everywhere I went I was asked if I wanted a suit and also if I wanted a tuk tuk..... even if I was just crossing the road to go to the 7 Eleven! I've made friends with a couple of the suit guys after I kept walking past them, and finally told them I'm not working for a year so a suit is useless to me, but if they start making shorts and flip flops I'll definitely visit their shops!!

I got used to eating on my own, it's fine over here as loads of people do it, but I was finding it hard to just go up to people and ask if I could join them. In the end people ended up just speaking to me and since then I've met loads of people from all over the world, most are on holiday and are either returning home or moving on, so it's only been one time meetings.

I did go to a club where it was free to get in and I could wear shorts and flip flops, this has quickly become my favourite club ever!! Being able to live in shorts and flip flops is the best life ever! I've also done a bit of sight seeing, saw the Wat Pho temple and the Royal Palace, and been for random walks in Bangkok away from the backpacker area. I went for a walk in the park one day and was asked if I could be filmed being interviewed answering questions about alcohol, which was ironic as I was slightly hungover! I agreed and I'm pretty sure I'm a minor celebrity!!

I decided to go to Chiang Mai on the Sunday night and was relieved to see loads of backpackers at the station, but I was told the train was full so had to go Monday night. When I got there on Monday there were no backpackers in sight, except 2 guys from Germany who were really friendly. They however were going to a different place.

As I boarded the sleeper carriage I realised it may not be a comfortable journey, due to there onyl being fans, of which most were broken, so I decided to go get a beer from the food carriage. It was here where I met 2 english girls playing cards, and so to stop myself looking like a loner I asked if I could join them. They were really nice and let me play cards with them. They told me where they were staying and the trek they were doing, and with me being so well prepared and having no where to stay and nothing booked I decided to tag along. The train journey took 5 hours longer than expected and I got no sleep, so was on the train for 17 hours!

The weather in Chiang Mai was muggy but wet, like England wet. I got to the guesthouse where I met the girls again and managed to get a room for 4 pounds, which was a bargain. The woman running the place reminded me of a head teacher but she was really nice and remembered my name throughout my stay!! I even managed to book on to the tour the next day.

The trek was amazing! There were 15 of us, and I met people from all over the world, everyone was so nice and friendly and I was lucky to have such a great group. We went to a snake show which I didn't really like, it was too touristy with Europop blasting out while a guy fought with snakes.... He had a finger missing, I'm guessing he got it trapped in a door!!

After we went trekking up a hill in torrential rain to a village, it took a few hours but was worth it for the views! We stayed in a house that had no electricity, so we simply made a fire int he middle of the room and we all sat round and talked while some of the guys played guitar, it was really nice and relaxing.

The next morning I awoke and was taken back by the view from the front of the house, it was beautiful!! We trekked for a few more hours that day, stopping at 2 waterfalls and seeing various tyes of scenery. We spent the night at an elephant camp.

The next morning I awoke to see the elephants being washed and bathed in the river, before we all went on an elephant trek, I got an elephant to myself, it was a cool elephant although he kept wanting food and liked to walk close to the edge of cliffs! After that we went white water rafting which was a great experience, it's just a shame it wasn't long enough. I was so glad I didn't fall out, but got absolutely soaked.

That night we returned to Chiang Mai, and everyone was staying in the same guest house. We decided to go out for food and then drinks. It was a great night, but we all drank too much and didn't get home until 5! Also I only lasted a week and bit before being tempted by McDonalds, but I have to say it was the best Maccies ever!!

I had a bad case of too much drink, too little sleep, as I got up. It was now Saturday (yesterday) and I was getting the train back to Bangkok, as I had been persuaded to go to Ko Phan Nagn for the Full Moon Party on the 25th. The journey back was slightly better in that I got some sleep, but again the train was 5 hours late, something I was getting very used to!!

As I had decided quite late to go to Ko Phan Nagn, the girls I've been travelling with were leaving today, so I got my ticket as soon as I got to Bangkok, this morning, however the train was full so I've gone for a 3rd class seat with a fan, which is the worst class you can get..... It should be an experience...... I like to think of it as real backpacking! I just need to find somewhere to stay once I get there but as of this moment I'm struggling so may just turn up and see what's avaliable, otherwise I may be sleeping on the beach tomorrow night.

I've written loads which should keep you busy for a while! I'll probably report back with my experience of the Full Moon Party some time next week hopefully, and also I'll hopefully have some photos sorted by then! I've taken loads, I've just not managed to upload them yet, but they are definitely worth the wait!

Until then, take care and I'll speak to some of you soon

Sanj