Now after our first blog attempt, chances for completing a blog daily or even weekly have been slow so I am instead going to try wrap-up the last 3/4 weeks or so in one blog. As the photos we are taking are mixed between phone, camera and iPod we will try get them all on soon. So to bring you to speed! Currently writing the first part of this blog in a 'hut' in the middle of khao sok national park. One of the oldest rainforests in the world apparently. It is also the wettest part of Thailand and I am currently sat on a balcony watching the rain pour down! So back to the start of our trip!!

After Bangkok we took a transfer from the package deal we got, up to sukothai. The bus was far better than expected! Air con and we were fed!!! Great start to the package deal we had bought! On arrival to sukothai new town, we were apprehensive about the accommodation but were pleasantly surprised by the sila resort. Friendly staff and we had our own bungalow room which was clean in most parts! We took it easy that night having a wander into the new town market which was far less stressful than Bangkok but also a little disappointing! We were starving though and tried some BBQ only to realise it was intestine, liver an chicken fat!! We did get a spicy sausage with half meat and half rice though which was interesting!! Of course we had a a sit down street meal too which was to a consistently good standard! And cheap!

Food in the north of Thailand has been consistently better and cheaper than the south. More down to the number of street venders and markets. More on that later! Anyhow, we did the most important things that night... Checked the ashes score in the bar with a Chang beer and chilled out planning the next day. The morning saw us up early to catch a 'bus' to sukothai old town. This part used to be the ancient capital of Thailand! We had the morning to explore as we were checking out after to head to Chiang MaI! So the fastest way to see as much as you can? Bicycle! We cycled in humidity with our backpacks on for around2-3 hours but it was well worth it! Beautiful place and our favourite at that point! Even with the sweatiest backs known to man!! We headed back for our transfer to the bus station for our journey to Chiang Mai.

This turned out to be a less peaceful bus journey north as the 6 hour journey was rammed full of people down the aisles! I was going to give my seat up to an old lady ( if she looks old out here she really must be old too!) but didn't as I watched a Thai lad in an army outfit ignore her and he stayed sat down. So if they don't look after there own..! Got to Chiang Mai late that evening looking forward to the following days trek. We were debriefed on some of the items we would need for the trek then told we would not be staying at this hotel ( the one with the live music, pool and restaurant!) but a guesthouse 10 minutes away! On arrival to the 'red brick guesthouse' (Manc name which said a lot about the s***hole!) we believed we were being placed in a prison cell! It was fair to say at this point we were both gutted by the way the accommodation was slowly getting worse especially with the jungle to come! We ventured for the night market that night for food only to wander into the Chiang Mai red light district!!!

The trek The next day though we were full of optimism but also a little nervous. Not knowing what to expect and also apprehension on the group you would be trekking with were a little worrying. Yet the group and trek leader were brilliant! Charlie was our leader from the Karen village. It turned out he was the only member of the trek team who would do the 3 day 2 night trek due to its tough paths and climbs! After initial introductions on the bus ( truck!) we stopped off at a market for 40 minutes. We both tried some sweet potato chips and observed fresh fish having their eyes smashed in for cooking!!! Now if we had known how hard that first days trek would be, we would have bought plenty of more water!!! 14 km walk, the first km in water up the river in flip flops!! With 1 half bottle to share! We were not alone though as everyone had done the same!!! On arrival to the village of 4 Karen families, we were greeted with our room (a giant dorm with sleeping bags on the floor!!) and a cool box full of water, coke and Chang beer. The shower was a hut at the bottom of the acre or so of land we were staying on. It had a shower and a hole in the floor for the toilet! All 12 on the trek shared this!!!

After all showering off and hanging wet, sweaty clothes up on the lines, we settled down for some amazing food and beer! This turned into a bit of a session and in fairness the best night of the trip so far in terms if banter! Drinking games, stories and proper introductions allowed the group to get far closer to each other! We drank that much, we drank all of the Chang supplies!!! Great night!! Even the local whiskey (hong thong) was nailed. Even after the previous nights exploits, everyone woke up in good spirits and no hangovers!

Sam was the first to wake with the Irish girl grainnie (sounds like groin with a y and an e on the end!) ready for the highest climb we would endure on the trek. After boiled egg on toast made by the Karen family, we waded through padi fields and then the highest point we would get to for the whole trip. At this point we had lunch and at that point the heavens opened!! When I say lunch though I mean curry noodle the works!! All overlooking padi fields and the jungle. Only the Karen family were allowed here! And everything planted and grown was not for profit but for self sufficiency! After a nightmare walk down and drenched steap hill we rested at our location next to the waterfall. Here we showered and swam then finished off with a fire. A few steady beers and the best food of the trek by far. Massaman curry! That night wasn't the comfiest though with just our own little hut to sleep in!

The next day though was the touristy day! An easy morning trek followed with elephants and rafting. We actually rafted first in great spirits jumping from each group of 4's bamboo rafts trying to sink the others! Our raft got bullied!!! After rafting was the elephants! As we arrived we were greeted by an elephant pulling at its chain where it was isolated for medical reasons. It did not have a good vibe to it after that. However we still rode them and the down hills scared the hell out of me to Sams amusement! It was an experience but it turned out our elephant was 41 and pregnant and the lad driving her on her head was kicking, hitting and pulling her ears to redirect her!! Everyone felt the same though but it just seemed like a box ticked. After an eventful few days we met up as a group that night and hit a reggae bar in Chiang Mai! A great night and messy night! Do not drink shots of sang som rum! It is petrol!!

The hotel after the trek though felt much nicer and we were in the nice part with the pool and bar so hit the pool the next day. Purely relaxation day! Kept bumping in to the others and met up again that evening for a drink and food. Chiang Mai is a beautiful place and we were both gutted to be leaving so soon. I reckon if we had not done the package we would have spent a week longer in the north. The best part in particular was the food!!!! Pork belly on rice 30b. Around 60p/70p. Unbelievable!! The city itself is also surrounded by a city wall in a giant square with a canal running around it. It is beautiful but with a real Thai vibe to it too with the Thai markets everywhere.

The following day was when we also found a great breakfast stuck in a monsoon rain in the market. Muesli fruit and yoghurt mega portion for £1. Fed both of us! Class!! After this we had 2 sleeper trains in a row! The trip from hell...!!!