Heh up Karla, your travels sound fab. Did they really have big ears and long necks? (the tribe). I was back in the UK last week - made Sal buy me a few meals ... u missed out. Back in sunny Tunisia now, using the charm on the ladiees... Liked the story about your fat ass sinking the raft! ;) Great joke for you to astound your new backpacking friends with: "What was the last thing that the fish said before it swam into a wall?..... Damn!" OK, I've got my coat......

Hi guys-we made it back from the trek alive-just!!!! My muscles ache so much- I thought I was a bit fitter than that, but you should have seen the mountains we climed!!! We started off with 12 of us crammed into a rather unsafe looking minibus that should have seated about 7 so it was nice and cramped in the tropical heat! We drove for about an hour to visit the long neck and big ear tribe, but they had been move out of their original habitat to cater for tourism, so it did'nt really feel that authentic. After that we visited some caves (I think they're the largest in Thailand-but don't quote me on that!!) There were loads of Buddahs hidden in the caves as Monks spend moths in there meditating! We then had a bit of lunch and drove for another hour (stopping a few times on the way as one of our companins had been out boozing the night before so he was throwing up!)to the start of our trek. Our guide was called Khan and it was only Kim & I that were doing the trek that day, but we were meeting up with 6 others who had already started. They don't call them rainforests for nothing - we walked for about 15 mins, then the rain started to pour!!!! I did wear my rain coat, but I had the sweatiest moment of my whole life in that bloody mac!! We walked for about 2 1/2 hours in the rain up almost vertical mud-paths - I can't believe how I didn't slip over! It was one of the most physically challening things i've ever done, but well worth it when we finally arrived at the village at the top of the mountain. The views were spectacular - I hope the photos do it justice! We spent the night in one of the bamboo houses with the other 6 people who had already arrive there. The children from the village put on a show for us and sang and danced which was lovely to see. But then we had to repay the favour, so there was Kim & I, 4 people from Holland and 2 from France all singing head-shoulders-knees-and-toes in different languages to the amusement of these children!! The next day was pretty scary for me as I'm not great with heights, so trying to walk down a near-vertical path, scared the hell out of me. I was shaking the whole way down for about 2 hours, but tried not to look scared as it would've freaked Kim out! We arrived at a beautiful waterfall, but as we were already soaked, there wasn't much point in swimming in it! We then had another 2 hour walk along the river (or in the river in most of our cases!) and got to an elephant camp. This was by far our worst experience so far - We had an elephant ride that should have lasted an hour, but Kim & I were so freaked out by it we got off within 10 mins!!!! The fact that it ws puring with rain, the roads were almost made of sand & liable to collapse down the mountain, and the elephants were walking next to a sheer drop next to a cliff really didn't agree with us!! I think it was the most scary thing that I've ever had to go through! (It doesn't actually sound that bad now, but believe me-I was s***ting myself!!) Then it was time for white water rafting-which was brilliant and a ride on a bambo raft. I think there were too many people on the raft beacuse as we were sitting on it we were waist high in the river and the raft had sank about a foot under the water-which meant we got grounded a few times on the rocks! It was great fun though! I'm glad I did the trek, but it was physically and emotionally draining-not sure if I could manage another one knowing what was in store. Nat-you would have been proud of me, I wasn't bothered about my hair, I had no make up on and allowed my shoes to get filled with mud!!! (I must have looked such a state though-not that i'm vain or anything!!!) Lindsay-it would have freaked you out-the bees there were the size of cows (slight exaggeration, but you get the picture!!) Now we're back in Chiang Mai for 2 more days, then off back to Bangkok to start our 2 week adventure down to Singapore. I hope my muscles recover by then!!! xxx

Hey up girlies, Glad to hear you got there ok. Sounds like you have done loads aready. Can't wait to see all the photos. Not really been up to much (now i've lost my drinking partner). I have been doing my own little bit of exploring though, went camping at the weekend and climbed Snowdon. I won't be doing it again, the weather was awful.Take care, and keep us updated.xxxx

Hello to the both of you!

Im soooo glad you are having a great time already!!! Just imagine how much more fun you are going to have over the next 10 months!!!
Im keen to see pictures of the trek. It sounds mega hot so dont forget to drink plenty of liquid (no Kim not alcohol!) Dont forget to get some contacts so that when you get back you can start your own "Lady Boy" import business... I know Mike will be up for one :p
Take care and keep on trekking!
Xxxxa

Hello flowers! Glad to hear you arrived safely and are having such a good time - work is GREAT by the way, thanks for asking - ha ha! xx I agree with the lots of pictures, it is good to see what you are up to on the other side of the world. I miss you lots and lots and i want you to enjoy every second, even with the creepy crawlies xx Just so you know the mortgage has been agreed! woo hoo, so will have my own house soon xx take care Griffo's and I look forward to the next e-mail Kim xxx

Hey girlies! Glad to hear you arrived safely and your having a great time! So you've started to two day trek now, cant wait to see some pictures of the kinda things you have seen! It seems like you've been away for ages, although its hardly been a week...Time is gunna fly so i hope you enjoy every minute! Take care my lovelies...lots of love! xxxxx

Karla,
Glad you made it ok! Andria let me see your V-Festival pictures which looked fab.
After all my ummming and aghhhing had a fab time at your leaving doo and can't wait to sing "little red courgette" with you when you get back. Plus I've got a whole year to practice my hulla hoop moves - be warned!
Keep the news and pickies coming, so we can travel round the world with you.
Loads of love - Lizzy

heeeeelllllllooooooooo girlies,
pleased you arrived safely and that you got fed on your flight. sounds like your having a great time already. bet you've not left the market stalls alone tho and that your covered with bracelets, necklaces and all other beaded jewelery and braided hair, i can just picture it. you'll love chang mai, none of this staying hotels for a couple of nights! you'll be in huts up in the mountains with thai families eating freshly cooked thai food and prob sampling some of the home grown "tea and coffee".
i popped over yours on sat night just to see how your parents were and to chat, dont worry tho we didnt get anymore photo's of you as kids, thats next time i'm over. ha. it feels like you've been away for ages! its not even been a week yet, infact, well done you've proved you can do it now i think you should come home. hee only joking.
well i dont want to make this to long so let me know how the trekking went when u get back. hopefully your house would of sold by then as well karla. have a great time, be safe and stick together.
love you lots. johnny

p.s i love you both but obviously i love my kim alot more. miss you lots babe!!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(i should of titled this message as 'WARNING some contents maybe be very soppy')

oh p.p.s try and get some pictures of Thai Red Kites!!!!!!! mmmm creeeaam. (sorry mary couldnt resist)

Hey Ladies, Firstly i would like to apologise to you both for not being at your send off! You can blame Chris and a very big Phung for that, as i was driving them around london picking up fridges and fireplaces. Anyway i am so pleased your having a fab time i knew you would, there was no doubt. There are a few places you need to go to when you get to Sydney, and some serious drinking establishments to frequent. I will write you a long email over the next few days. Griffo sends you big love and has left me with a stinker you girls no what i mean. Anyways all our love for now Toria, Griff, Mum, Chris, Phung & Boo, Nick, Gussie and Blue! XXXXXXXXXXX

hey girlies, hope your both behaving yourselves!!!! make sure you oput some photos on this site of the long necked tribes (and the long willy tribes if you see any!!!!!) Sounds like you have done a lot of traveling so far, but it still sounds like a fab adventure. Had some friends round last night for a meal and consumed a good few bottles of red wine in your honour. keep in touch, missing you a little bit but have brought some new shoes to compensate. nat and mark x

hey watch out for the long willy tribe up in the hills!!!!!

Wonderful to hear from you - glad your trip got off to such a great start. We'll be following your adventures around the globe and are soooo looking forward to seeing you here in"Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" next April.