Monday 19th - 21st November

Hi All,

We last left you as we were leaving Bangkok and heading to Chiang Mai and wow has a lot has happened since!

Our journey started at Bangkok train staion where we boarded our first sleeper train to Chiang Mai. It was long trip lasting 14 hours!! Although it wasn't actuallu as bad as we had anticipated as we were given real beds and clean sheets.

We arrived in Chiang Mai fresh faced and ready for our next chapter to begin! After dumping our bags at our new hotel (which is quite nice) we went exploring through the old town. Throughout the day we saw yet more temples which resulted in us staring death in the face (again) as we stood toe to toe with a pack of wild dogs straight from hell! We stood strong and left the temple grounds with both our lives and dignity in tact. The night ended with a visit to the famous Night bazzar and a couple of Singahs (Hayley's new favourite drink!!!)

The next day started early with pick up at 8am for a jam packed adventurous day! WE headed to the jungles of Northern Thailand where we participated in an elephant trek. We were a little aprehensive at first as we appeared to be given the rogue elephant Tukkah although after 100's of baht spent on bananas we soon managed to tame him and bring him under control!! Mike took control and was made chief driver as our tour guide decided to take a break, so Mike took to the reigns and rode through the jungle balancing on the head of the elephant, while Hayley hung on for dear life!! I cant believe i didnt get any pictures of me riding up front, it's my biggest regret in life to date!

Next we headed further into the jungle where we took a pit stop at a beautiful waterfall. Where ourguide had his daily shower. We were the only 2 from our group to climb the rocks to get closer to the falls. As you can see from the pictures it was pretty spectacular!

Lunch soon followed and ten it was off to end the day with a spt of bamboo rafting trhough the snake infested unforgiving rapids of the Thai jungle! This was as fun it sounds! Mike again was nominated to take control and acted as captain of the raft as he guided us into rock after rck and several trees, one of which nearly decapitated him! It really was funny seeing him matrix style it under a flying branch!! Hayley stood the whole way none of this girly sitting for me!! She was armed with her Lara Croft shorts and was ready for what ever the rapids could throw at her. Hayley 1, Rapids 0!!!

The night ended in as Mike calls it 'spectacular fashion' with Hayley's first (and only) experience of Muay Thai boxing. Oh and what a treat it was! we witnessed several knock outs and kids as young as 13 basically trying to kill each other!!

Tomorrow brings more trekking and adventure so keep an out for more action!

xxxxx