We arrived in Chang Mai after a night journey on the train which was very uncomfortable. We met up with our group for 3 days trekking in the hills which consisted of us 2, another english guy and 3 Germans and our guide Mango aka more chilli. It was 3 good days of walking and mingling with the local villagers. Layne played the local version of their football which is like volleyball only you use a wicker ball and your feet, it hurts! Nights were spent playing cards and drinking the local beer, Beer Chang, opium and hash was available but we refused. On the last night we joined up with another group of trekkers which included 5 Welsh lads and had a big party right next to the waterfall... Finished off the trek with a day of bamboo rafting with Cpt. Catastrophe, who spent most of his time trying to either soak or sink the other rafts on the river. We then went up to the elephant camp and had an hour long ride on the ele's.

On our last night in Chang Mai we went out as a group and had a good seafood meal and a few beers and then watched the England game.Tomorrow we are off to Laos with a long boat.

Cheers

Layne