We got up early this morning to trek 4-5 hours to the Elephant camp. Our path took us up to the top of a mountain from which we could see all the lush rainforest below, and we crossed streams and rivers over bridges made from bamboo bound together. The elephant camp was our lunch stop, then we climbed onto the massive creatures sitting on little wooden platforms. The elephant skins were so rough and hairy, though their eyelashes were beautiful up close, so long. Our elephant was just 14 but he was the tallest (we towered over everyone!) and was called Boochoo. Our driver preferred to jump off to check out the snakes in the river below so we rode solo, and both got the opportunity to sit right at the front on the elephants head! It was a little unsteady at first but surprisingly comfortable after a whole hour. We trekked along and in the river to the rafting camp, a village called Pon Ngan, part of the Lahu tribe. We spent the evening here sat having beer by the river, watching the porters build the raft and catch fish. Our bamboo huts with grass roofs were right at the top of the village so it was a trek of it's own getting back late at night! The other half of our group were at the bottom so after dark we came down to join them around the fire. We were also entertained by the gorgeous village children, who danced and sang. We also had a Thai massage each by the village women, quite an experience as they are a little unconvential! They cracked all our bones into place, it was half enforced yoga half massage but afterwards we felt incredible and not sore at all after our trek! We can't wait to have another when we're back in Bangkok!