Hey all

Where to begin! Yesterday we returned to Chiang Mai having spent three days in the mountainous districts. On Saturday Nat & I went exploring, we were meant to get round three temples but en-route to the second one we got distracted by a gorgeous looking Oasis Spa Salon. We decided to go in and get further details on massages etc and ended up having this amazing two hour massage!! It was soooo good, infact to quote one of Miss Kershaw's favourite phrases…it was 'sexual'! I swear if it had been a guy massaging me I think I would have jumped him!!! ;-)

On Sunday we checked out of the hotel and began our journey North (in these cute little truck things which can carry 12 people!) to where our trek began! On the way we stopped at an amazing waterfall - Mhok Fha Waterfall, I just stood there in amazement at how absolutely beautiful it was. You've got to see the photos on Truprint, I'll share soon! After lunch and giving the girls a demonstration on how to drip dry (we're still getting to grip with these squat toilets!) we began a two hour trek, our destination being the Karen Village in Baan-Mae-Jog. It was sooo hot, we were all sweating buckets and drinking water like it was going out of fashion!

There are many hill tribe people living in the mountainous districts surrounding Chiang Mai. The hill tribe people are very agricultural, they plant fields, build their own huts/homes, raise animals and hunt for a living.Each tribe has their own unique culture and language. There were pigs, chickens (mum I told everyone about your chicken phobia & how you'd hate it!), dogs, cats, chicks, cockerels, even a monkey!! The people literally live in bamboo huts, there is no electricity and we had to wash in a river! It was a very humbling experience, and makes you realise just how lucky we are.We had spring rolls as a starter for dinner which were lovely, Mike N - if you think I'm messy eating Mexican food you should have seen the state of me after about eight spring rolls! ;-)Afterwards we sat round a fire and chatted before going to sleep, all eleven of us slept in the same room!!

On Monday Morning we began our trek to Pa-Khao-Laam village. This was the most challenging thing I've ever done in my life. Although we were walking mostly downhill it was very steep and when we did have to climb a couple of mountains the pain was unbearable. Those spinning classes clearly weren't working me hard enough! I have never sweat so much in my whole life, and I am still aching all over today!!

Anyway, it was all totally worth it because after 3 hours and 20 minutes of pure hell we arrived at the Huay-Nam-Dang Elephant camp.It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about the moment we walked down the final hill and saw the elephants by the river. It was just the most incredible thing.We were able to get so close to them it was just so surreal. For the past few days our tour guide has been asking us how many legs do elephants have and we're like four you wally! Anyway, we were soon to be proven wrong! As we sat down enjoying our lunch, this elephant walked into the river and before our very eyes his manhood began growing bigger and bigger to the point where it looked like a fifth leg and was literally touching the ground.We were just sat there in complete shock at the pure size of it, (I couldn't resist taking a photo…you know me guys!!) Take a look for yourself but I warn you now just looking at the photo will make your eyes water!!!!;-) After lunch we got to ride on the elephants for 45 minutes.For the first five minutes I sat clinging onto Nat and the tiny piece of rope that was holding us in!! But I soon relaxed and it was the best experience ever.And check it out, did you know, elephants are in fact hairy!?!

After the elephant riding we had just a 15 minute walk to the village and as soon as we arrived we all jumped straight in the river to cool down and freshen up!Now, up until this point we have been quite a sensible group, we've had maybe a couple of beers with dinner but haven't actually got hammered! At the village, we could buy an entire round of 20 beers for 16 quid so needless to say it got quite messy! Well, just 3 beers later and I was feeling it!! This was the group's first experience of Shell being drunk! And how they laughed when they realised that the girl they thought was so sweet and innocent can actually be very crude, loud & naughty after a few drinks!!

Tuesday we were awoken by a cockerel at 5am and it didn't shut up until about 8am when we finally gave in and realized we wouldn't be getting back to sleep! After breakfast we began bamboo rafting down the Mae-Tang River (I'm told Rambo 4 was filmed here!)Bamboo rafting was the best thing ever, we were on the river about three hours and went past elephants and water buffalo. As with the elephant riding, it was a very emotional experience, I was just sat there pinching myself thinking saying is this for real!!Going through rapids we got drenched but it was so much fun!

After lunch in Sob-Kai, we had a two hour drive back to our hotel in Chiang Mai. We literally ran to our rooms and enjoyed a nice warm shower!! In the evening we went out for dinner to a place where you cook your own steaks and celebrated James's 23rd Birthday!

Today we're going to see the most famous temple in Chiang Mai, called Doi Suthep. It's situated on a mountain to the North West of the city & it was founded in 1383! We have to a 12km uphill drive before having to walk up approximately 306 steps! Not sure my legs will be able to cope!It's the footie tonight, and I'm gutted as I'll be on an overnight train back to Bangkok so won't be able to watch the game! I'll keep my fingers crossed though! Come on England!

Love to you all, hope you've enjoyed the longest essay yet! Take care xXx