Hi guys

I've managed to find an internet cafe and not having to sort out hotels as my main priority can update you on the events of the last couple of days

We went banana picking on Monday but when we got to the plantation, the field had almost been cleared so we only managed half a truck. A decision was made to go pineapple picking again the following day.... and I thought I'd managed to get out of it!

Kevin, the marine biologist from Scotland decided that we needed some 'enrichment' so organised a pub quiz in the evening. We had mixed teams from both the wildlife and elephant volunteers and mixed nationalities too so it was a really good way of actually talking to people on the 'other side' as it were! I knew we were in trouble when we got a Walt Disney question wrong.... What is the name of a Disney film where the main charater does not speak? Answers at the bottom of the blog! Needless to say we lost, joint 3rd place. The winners won the pot of money we had paid to join and they promptly donated it to a fund to buy a new iguana cage so it was all in a good cause. It was a brilliant night and we all had a good time.

We went to collect the elephants from the forest at 6.30am and Somboon, my favourite elephant, came charging and trumpeting out. Everyone else ran for it but I stayed - determined not to be scared, but the I thought better of it and followed the others. She's been really tetchy lately and hates the dogs being around her. She tries to kick them and swings her tail at them. I love her to bits but when she's in a mood she's really unpredictable (no wonder she and I get along so well, so much in common!). After breakfast we had to go pineapple picking which is hot, dirty, dusty and if you don't wear long sleeved shirts, laserates your arms. We ended up picking far more than we could fit in the truck as the farmer wanted the field cleared to build a house. The volunteers were't very happy about it, although the farmer did come out with a huge machete/knife and started cutting up freshly picked pineapple for us to eat., which softened us up a bit. It was the best tasting pineapple I have ever had. We left piles of pineapple plants there and the others had to go back yesterday to load it into the truck again, which of course I missed out on (shame!)

I got up yesterday morning to walk the elephants back for the last time. Saying goodbye to them was very emotional. Pai-Lin, the eldest most gentle elephant has got thinner since I started. She is so old and has no more teeth now and her skin looks 3 times too big for her. I really don't think she will see the rest of the year out and it's really sad to say goodbye to her. I helped wash the baby, trying to stop her dancing which she does whenever she sees her mahout. I managed to pack all my things in about 10 minutes and was ready by the time the truck rolled up to collect the others to take them off to the pineapple field. It was so sad saying goodbye with promises to keep in touch and I was very tearful. I hope we all manage to keep in touch by some way as it will be great to hear how the others are all getting on.

The taxi arrived and Gena, Bec and I all went off to Cha-am. Our hotel is set about 100 yards from the beach. Our rooms were next to each and we were squealing with delight at the sheer luxury. After having no hot water, hard beds and nothing soft to sit on we were in heaven. We went up to the 17th floor where there was a roof top swimming pool, one side overlooks the beach and the other overlooks the mountains. We were all grinning and giggling like school children! I got changed and lay on the sunlounger while the others went off exploring the beach and town. We met for lunch and drinks by the pool and then I went for a walk. The beach was pretty crowed and the Thai people swim with their clothes on so I doubt I'll go sunbathing there. Lots of firecrackers kept going off all day as it is the Chinese New Year but there weren't really any big parties or celebrations, probably due to the fact that the country is still in mourning for the King's sister who died at the beginning of the year and Wednesdays are quite sober (mourning finishes on 11th April).

At 5.30pm we met again on the terrace, all clean and sunburnt and had pina coladas while we watched the sun go down. Absolute heaven!!!! After dinner and another walk, I went to bed, a lovely clean soft bed with crisp clean sheets and a light by the bed!

Today I intend to laze by the pool to get a tan and have another massage. Bec and Gena are leaving to go back to the centre at 7pm. I'm hoping to catch a bus tomorrow morning (there is no strict timetable in Thailand) and go back to Bangkok. I've booked into a different hotel in a better district so would like to go to the Royal Palace or see the Reclining Buddah if I have time. The other girls from the centre are trying to persuade me to have hair extensions put in at Bangkok as they cost about 20 pounds rather than the 400 you would pay back home! I must admit, I'm quite tempted as having my hair chopped off before coming here was a big mistake! Luckily they didn't have many mirrors at the Centre but I certainly haven't looked my best but then I don't think anyone did.

I'm off to do a bit more shopping then lie by the pool being pampered.

Will catch up again soon

Sue ........ and the answer to the Disney question was "Dumbo" and we 3 elephants volunteers on the team we all need shooting!!!!