Hello! We came back to thailand for our last week or so and headed up north to Chang Mai. I think it may be my favorite place so far - we've had an amazing week!

Chang mai seems very chilled out and relaxed, its a beautiful place with mountains and waterfalls everywhere and loads to do! Our first day here we rented out a moped (sorry kim - but we did at least wear helmets unlike most other people on the road) which steve drove because I would blatently have killed us on these manic roads! It was so nice to have the bike - we had so much freedom and although we got lost a bit it didn't matter because we found more things to do and saw more of the area! We headed up the mountains, passing waterfalls and amazing views of the city as we climbed higher. We went to a temple right near the top which was, as always very beautiful, there were a few local school kids doing traditional thai dance around the temple which was nice!

The next day we were heading out up the mountain to find an elephant camp and went completely the wrong way somehow! After driving miles in a different direction we gave up and headed back, saw a sign for tiger kingdom on the way and decided to go there. It was awesome! It was obviously sad to see the tigers in cages but it was a lot nicer than some of the places we've heard about where they are chained to the floor and seem sedated. I have yet to mention the best part of this -where we got to go into the cages and stroke the tigers! Ok so its a bit un-natural to be allowed to do it but we didnt want to miss the chance of actually touching a tiger! It was pretty amazing to be so close and there was a guy taking pictures for us and we pretended to be asleep on them and stuff. We weren't allowed near its face or to touch its paws and stuff but we rubbed its belly and the trainers were getting them to play with leaves that they dangled in front of them - like playing with a dog!

After that we headed further up the road and ealised we were on the road we were trying to get on earlier! So we headed up to the elephant camp but it was then closing so headed back down and stopped at a shooting range. Steve had a go at shooting a target board with a 9mm beretta (whatever that is) all I know is that it was really loud and I was too wussy to have a go! Steve loved it of course!

We decided to book onto a tour the next day which was another great day! We went to an elephant camp where they had a show where the elephants played football and actually painted pictures in front of us - it was amazing to see!! I would loved to have bought one but they were expensive (not too many pictures around painted by elephants I guess) After that we met the elephants, saw some baby ones that were very sweet and had photos with them - I got ready for a photo with a big one and was just gonna stand next to it, but the guy told me to get on so I did - was so cool!! I was only on for a minute or so but I loved it! After that and watching the elephants get a bath in the river we got an ox-cart ride to a hilltribe village not far from the camp. I didn't like the cart ride so much - felt a bit cruel. The driver made me sit in the drivers seat and got off to take photos, I was actually steering them for a little bit! (with steve and 2others in the back) I was scared!! But they stopped walking and the driver told me to hit them with a stick but I wouldn't so he got back on and drove again.

We got to the village and it seemed a bit fake really, well not totally but they were wearing these traditional dresses that they just blatently wouldn't have worn all the time, and it just seemed like it was a bit of a tourist show. But anyway, we bought bananas and had a proper elephant ride to the next place. This time the elephants had wooden seats strapped to them and I felt bad again. At least I can say i've done it but I prefer seeing them to riding them. When we were nearly there (in a river) our driver got off and took photos for us - they look so cool I'm so glad he stopped for us because none of the other groups got to do that! I don't know why but we seemed to get special treatment for photos - we gave them a tip but I didn't mind because we got great photos twice that no-one else got!

After that we had lunch then got onto a bamboo raft down the river! It wasn't quite what I expected but was still nice, a gentle ride down the river! We got to steer it for a bit too - was harder than it looked! I think we went to another hilltribe village next, where we saw the 'long neck karens'. In this tribe the girls wear heavy (we felt a sample one) kind of neck brace made of metal around their necks to make their necks longer. It was kind of strange and the older women who had obviously worn them longer (they add more rings as you grow up to stretch the neck) looked kinda scary! But they think its very beautiful in their culture.

Last stop of this very long day was an orchid and butterfly farm. My camera battery ran out a few minutes after we got there, but I managed to get a couple of pictures. There wasn't that many butterflies and there were mostly the same sort, but the orchids were bright and colourful and beautiful!

Yesterday we did a thai cooking course which was great fun! We got picked up in a blue vw camper - (we love them) and taken to Yui's (our teacher) house. We learnt how to cook some of our favourite food here in thailand, pad thai, curry, stir fry, spring rolls and mango sticky rice which was so yummy!! She also took us to the market and taught us about the food there - was nice! She was a great teacher and funny and friendly - the course is 'a lot of thai' if you ever come here - do that one!

That night we went to the night market which wasn't as mad as we expected but pretty cool and loads of bargains as always! Its our last day here today before we head to bangkok on another sleeper train. We are determind to see muay thai in bangkok before we leave on sunday!

Sorry this has been a long one but we've had a busy week and this will probably be my last blog of the trip! We have had an AMAZING time!!!!!!!!! Can't wait until the next trip!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon! Love you, thanks for reading :)

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