it has been a long week. Starting with the trek that we went on. We got up at 7am so we were ready to meet our tour guide, Bat. We were on the tour with a family of four and a couple. As we got into the back of the open sided taxi the conversation was flowing, it was all set to be a brilliant couple of days. We were in the taxi for what seemed like foreverorever and of course me being me got travel sick. Although this feeling was brought to a sudden stop when the taxi fell of the road. Yes you heard right! We all climbed out of the taxi to have a look arthritis situation. The taxi driver had taken the turning wrong and the wheels had fallen of thr narrow stops of concrete. The men of the group got sticking to help move the taxi. It was very surreal to watch but eventually the taxi was moving again.

We arrived at the top of the hill a couple of minutes after which everyone was relieved about. This was the start of our walk. The walk lasted about three hours, it went through the jungle and on the way we got to ask Bat about himself, the tribe we were going to see and he is explained some of the things that we saw along the way. The village was called Maijock and is a small hill tribe village of about 280 Karen people. They speak Karen rather than Thai, anyone over the age of about 45 was unable to speak Thai at all as they had never left the village and didn't need to learn. Those under this age were taught Thai in school but English was something they had to pick up on their own. Bat introduced us to his family and showed us just how self sufficiant the people were, from growing there own veg, killing the animals to making the rice.

We were shown to our hut, i felt privillaged to be allowed to stay in this small community. Bats friends and family came round to cook for us. I of course got stuck in and was shown how to cook Karen style! The local drink is rice whiskey,nice tasting but very strong and they drink it straight most of the time. After dinner we sat around, played guitar and sang. The village was powered by solar panels that were donated by the government so we only had power for one light.

The next day was the start of another walk. After using the cold hosepipe for a shower i was already to start the day. This was the longways walk of the trip, it took about 4 hours and took us a very steep route. We did get to see the rice fields in action and met so me of the locals. During one of our stops, Bat made me a cup from bamboo and faeces an elephant into it. He used a machete to do this and used his leg as the table. Thismade me very nervous but there was no blood at the end. Half way through the walk we came across a stream, i have never been so happy to see water, we all got straight in, although it was not very deep it was cold and that was good enough for me.

We walked around the corner after our rest and came accross elephants. This was to be the start of a love affair! We got into the river and helped clean the elephants, this involved buckets of water and lots of scrubbing. They are such beautiful creatures and so graceful, as they left us to go back to the park, the walked past our bags which were scattered along the path, they tiptoed around them and didn't stand on a single thing. We followed the elephants to the camp where we both enjoyed lunch, them a few bananas, us, noodle soup. They say elephants never forget, this must be true. Dad and i were leading the pack and the elephant knew exactly where to go without any guidance. They were so strong and being on top and looking down is a very strange feeling.

Our next destination was the next village, this was much bigger than the last with around 380 people and a school that during term time held an extra 130 pupils. It was such a long walk that the governement. This village was not lucky enough to have a solar panel or a hosepipe as a shower, rather a bucket with a bowl but it did have a swimming pool in the form of a river. we wasted no time and gother straight in. There was a small over hanging rock face that i couldnt let pass and made it my mission to complete...which i did.

After the swim was a tour around the village, this was very different to the last village with fences and boundaries everywhere. The people were of course all lovely and very friendly, they welcomed us into their homes and showed us around.

The group went to bed at about 8 as it was a long day but dad and i were not ready yet, we took the opportunity to learn more. We went fishing with Bat, Wee and a friend. it was good fun to fish with a big net rather than a rod and we kept all that we caught which included; shrimp, prawn, fish and a large frog. we then went back, cooked them and washed it all down with more rice whiskey! Before you all look stunned, i did not eat any.

The next day was rafting, up at the crack of dawn or rather the crow of cockerel. We were on the river by 8am. It was very relaxing going along the river and i became quite the helmsman, navigating my way through Rapids at a brilliant speed and without too many collisions with rocks.

After the Rapids it was home time, was i glad to have running water! After about an hour locked away in the bathroom it was time to go out for dinner, we met up with everyone and Bat took us to a local BBQ restaurant. We were the only fa-ang there but it was a brilliant experience. We then went to a bar for a few more drinks, of course dad and i outdid everyone else so we went on to a place we could dance. it all went down hill from there and i spent the next two days in bed, either the worst hangover known to man or food poisoning. Recovered enough last night to go for a massage and walk down the markets. today i am going to learn to cook! Will keep you updated on how well that turns out! Girls we may not need the thai anymore :-)