Before leaving the village we spend an hour with the children in the nursery class. It’s amusing to see their lessons are a mix of British English and American English. Yahyay my little friend from the homestay is in the class and you can see her whispering and pointing us out to her friends. They’re learning basic English as in Thailand they get better jobs if they can speak English. More located in the tourist areas, but given the standard of living her...

Staying in the homestay is such a unique experience. I wake up very early to the rooster and other animals waking up, to the smell of fish cooking for the family and the squeals of this little sweetie Yahya. She’s 4 years old and quite a monkey. Giggling and babbling away in the tribal language that I have no idea what she’s saying. We communicate through sign language and play - this is added to as for some reason she seems to think I understand her. Our s...

The monk has a Facebook following - as we wait over an hour for the ceremony/service to begin he checks in - well looks like he is. The chants are delivered by the monk and many of the local people. It’s amazing to be part of this service with the Karen tribe. There’s all ages here and even the babies are chanting. The monk takes pictures as the meditation part begins. Quite humorous as i don’t think I’d ever witness something so surreal In the uk. ...

Well 5 hours uphill - strangely I’m feeling positive and not spooked by the height just yet. We’ve made it to the second elephant location and home for the next two nights. It’s being run by a great team who are working to free all the overworked and abused elephants in the city. The elephants have either come from labouring jobs or tourism jobs chained for hours at a time and no real freedom. Orientation for this part of the project is across another ric...

Another early morning set off - the full group are here now after a few delayed flights. The journey again in a open back truck through the jungle onwards to the elephant sanctuary felt like a long time. An hour apparently but once everyone realised we’re actually doing another journey for 5 hours to the second elephant location this felt like a breeze. Throughout the journey we spot elephants in fields almost like cows on our home fields. The experience ...