Really amazing day today (feel like I use that word far too much) but yes that is the picture of an elephant! I'll get to the later.

From where i left off - had a great sleep on our 1st night, despite having a rock hard bed. Sadly breakfast was pretty lacking. Two pieces of toast, a banana and some pineapple. Fortunately managed to get another 2 off the little girls making it. (daughters of the owners - blatantly they can't be bothered getting out of bed to make 100 pieces of toast!)

Was redeemed slightly by the really nice pineapple jam, and the only slightly dodgy hot chocolate.

Found out over breakfast that we had actually been very lucky with the room. Next door to us had killed 8 mosquitos in the night, and still had some lurking. Some other girls had found 3 cockroaches in their room, and someone else backed onto a back alley with a Thai family having a 2 hr domestic at 3 in the morning.

Went out for a larger tour of the town today - up to the temple, where we impressed the monk with our supreme bowing and kneeling skills. So much so he threw holy water on us and gave us all lucky bracelets and rings.

More walking around, various useful things like a post office, the school etc all got pointed out. Stopped off for lunch at a guest house over looking the famous sangkhlaburi wooden bridge. Very good views. Been trying to be a bit daring, so have set myself a challenge of trying something new each day - so went for fried rice and fermented pork, actually rather nice! Walk back to the hotel, had a quick chill out before heading to look at the market. Went out at about 3 when everyone was asleep, so the market was very quiet and mostly things like spices and veg that we didn't need to buy.

Stopped off at the 7-11 and thought I'd go crazy with trying new things. Nearly went for the dried rolled cuttlefish, but thought I'd work up to it. So went for "dry queen tomatoes in plum flavoring" and strawberry juice. Very sweet but still enjoyable.

Back to the hotel before getting changed for our Thai boxing session. One of the coordinators is a Thai boxing champion, and runs sessions at the local orphanage twice a day. It was £2 for 2 hrs with all of that money going to the orphanage for food. Myself and 3 of the other 5 guys went. With another 5 girls spectating. Very funny 2 hrs, learnt alot about it though, and looking forward to having more sessions and maybe some sparring. Came back very sweaty!

Quick shower before going out for the evening. Went to another tiny family run restaurant, sat watching films and got a game of chess in with my friend. (he beat me!) carried on to the 1 bar in the town, got a game of pool in. Then 2 Thai guys offered to play us, they were very good, but having had a game warm up already we were on form! Particularly proud that myself and my friend both managed to pot 2 balls in a row. We both pulled off some great shots before just winning by one ball! Afterwards they offered to buy us a drink, but we politely declined.

Back to the hostel for a quick chill before bed. Got to bed fairly early at about half 12.

Another great nights sleep. Woke up aching a little bit after the boxing, but had much worse after a hard rowing session, 2 of the other guys were really struggling though.

Another pitiful breakfast before heading out for the day, split into 2 groups - I was in the 2nd. So while group 1 went for their elephant trek, we went to the orphanage we would be volunteering at and played with the kids all morning, then washed and cut the veg ready for the other group to cook it.

Then we had our own lunch - some really yummy rice wrapped in a banana leaf - very cool!

Swapped over and went on our amazing elephant walk. Got on the saddle thing at the back and set off. Had a very old looking Thai man sat on it's head steering while we sat on it's back enjoying the views. Got some great photos along the way, walking through tight jungle tracks, open fields and through rivers. So weird feeling all it's muscles moving under my feet. Really amazing at how big they are in real life!

Back home for a chill out, then went out to play volley ball at the local school. Lost 2-1 :( but still very fun. Then a quick knock around at badminton and basketball. All barefoot by the way (or Thai style as we call it)

Quick shower before going out for the evening, had some fried pork with basil and chili. Opting for backgammon tonight with my friend Ramin. Followed by a quick tournament at pool in the bar we go to (the only one!) lost 2-1 but were both definitely improving. Hopefully we'll be great by the end of 2 weeks!

Unfortunately locked ourselves out of our room and only noticed when we got back (may have slightly been my fault) The place were staying at doesn't have a 24 hr reception so we were stuck without a key til morning. Had to have a little sleepover at the room next door! Everyones friends with everyone else so it worked out in the end.

Slept on the spare bed which was right next to the air con, so woke up the next day with a horrible throat. Almost like a cold. Got back into the room, got changed and threw down another sad breakfast before getting the trucks to the orphanage.

We are helping out by building a water tower for them, so the 1st part of the day was clearing the land and digging, quick lunch (rice in a bag this time) before mixing the cement and laying it on the foundations.

Very tiring work, especially in the heat. Lots of shoveling and mixing the cement by hand. Got 3 days to finish the project and accomplished alot today.

Felt very tired but had a quick nap before setting out for our Thai boxing session! Great 2 hrs training, there was the same 4 guys as last time, but 4 of the girls joined in. A few of the Thai kids from the orphanage (who were complete pros!) came out to practice with us too. Learnt how to knee, and then practiced kicking again.

Was practicing against one of the Thai kids (he had pads on obviously) and kicked slightly too low, deflecting off the pad onto his elbow, needless to say he was fine, but my foot was screwed. So have been limping yesterday and today.

Very tiring session, but hopefully should be fit in time for our 6 days on the beach at kho phanang (google the pictures - so beautiful!)

Out last night for dinner at a very cheap restaurant, before the standard couple of pool games at the bar. Managed to hitch a lift back, quick snack at the 7-11 (i had ice cream) getting to sleep (shockingly!) before midnight!

Sat writing this over breakfast, knackered despite having a good 9 hrs sleep. Looking forward to a day of shoveling concrete and Thai boxing again though!

Think that's all for now,

Josh xx

Picture is of... Well it's pretty obvious.