Early on the 28th we caught a local bus for 3 hours from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in preperation for our Hilltribe trek!!!! Not sure Jacqui's feet were up to it after the south africa trek The first part of our trip included a homestay with a lady called Nut. She put us up in her home and fed us for the evening. A group of 14 years olds then came to play us traditional music which was great. We got them all involved with a game of snap - it is amazing how we could communicate without speaking each other's language!! Early night for all ready for the next day's trekking.

Our trek started with a driv from the homestay up into the hills on a tractor with a flat bed attached to it. Very uncomfortable but great scenery. That day we had to climb up 1100 metres and boy it was steep! Jacqui wanted to give up after 2 hours as it was so hot and climbing was difficult - good job she got a porter to carry her bags!! But we all made it after 3.5 hours walking we arrived at out first village. The village is part of the Lisu tribe - we got to meet some locals later that night when they brought out there crafts for us to buy. Dinner taht night was simpel but lovely.

On the 30th we had a tour of the village and visited the kindergarten. This was great - as usual Euge was a hit with the kids - whipping them up into a frenzy for the poor teacher. We did a 2 hour trek that day with lots of up's and downs but Jacqui managed to set the pace today - I think the rehydration salts kicked in. Again it was bloody hot though!!! We arrvied at our next village part of the Akha tribe. That night we had some locals come to dance for us Euge joined in the dance - 1 step again and again for 30 minutes it was fun to watch.

On the 31st Jacqui decided not to try and attempt to make it down the hill the next day after her knee in south africa as it has played up a little on the trek so she catught a truck down with one of the other group. The group set a fair pace and made it down in 3 hours. They were bloody hot. We were all glad to get back to out hotel in Chiang Rai - 1 to shower and get rid of the red dust from your body, 2 to get your clothes whisked away to be washed, 3 to get the black stuff out of your nose from the smoke taht was up in the hills from the fires that the locals have been setting!!!!! We headed off to a night market for dinner which was nice - we managed not to eat the deep fired bugs!!!!!!