After Laos we crossed across the border into Thailand and went down into Chiang Mai. Had a few spare days here before we headed off on a 3 day trek through the rainforest.

On day 1 we visited the Mork Fa waterfall and could swim here before we set off on an afternoon of trekking. It wasn't too bad today, but it was quite slippery from previous rain so took longer than normal. About 45 minutes before the end the skies opened and the rain came down! Going downhill was the worst, slipping and sliding all over the place, your foot just didn't stay in the place you had put it! By the time we arrived at our accommodation for the night we were all covered in mud and soaking wet. A lot of the evening was spent holding shoes and clothes above the fire trying to dry them. Needless to say this was unsuccessful!!!

The next day we were woken up stupidly early by the roosters in the local village. We put our still wet clothes back on and set off for the morning trek. This was a lot harder today. The ground was still slippery and most of it was uphill! Not many people spoke during this bit of the trek. It was also so hot aswel which didn't help. It was all completely worth it though when we arrived at lunch time at the elephant camp. We were greeted by 6 elephants who we then fed and set off walking with. Our elephant was called Sonntarn and was the biggest male there. He insisted on walking at the front, regardless of how many other elephants we had to push past to get there, even though the pathways were incredibly narrow! A few hair-raising moments by the edges! It was great fun though riding on the elephants, I loved it.

The next day we set off bamboo rafting. 3 and a half hours on a bamboo raft going down a fast moving river. We had two rafts and it was mainly fighting between the two and pulling and pushing each other off. Was so much fun though, really enjoyed that! After the bamboo rafting we headed back to Chiang Mai for some well needed rest and a night out.

The next day we headed back to Bangkok where I am now. Two days of purely shopping and chilling by the pool, hard life!!! I fly to Perth tomorrow morning and then the Australian leg of the trip starts.

xxx