Today we went on a 'soft trek' - I think I might report them to advertising standards authority (if there is one) - it was really hard work!! had to trek up the side of a mountain (might have been a hill... seemed like a mountain though!), cross a bamboo bridge then continue up the other side. Was actually really steep in places so was tough on the legs - especially as it was so hot (I'm making excuses now - lets just face it - I'm unfit!) Eventually made it to the top after what felt like hours (but what Bex informed me was actually only about half hour to 45 mins!) to see the Meo tribe. They are a hill tribe that came to Thailand from Tibet a few hundred years ago. They make their living by selling handicrafts to tourists. Once we had finished there had to go back down again - much easier! Although as it was so steep in places did get the feeling you might slip down at any moment! We got back onto our minibus and went to an elephant park where we got to ride on one! Had to stabd on the poor things head to get onto it then me and Bex sat in a little chair thing on its back. Bought somne bananas and bamboo cane to feed it - was really hungry so conveniently managed to use it all up just before we got to another point selling more! Realised it was a ploy! Got half way round and all the 'drivers' got off. Our elephant them decided it would follow another elephant off down the trek path without the driver! Me and Bex were quite scared by this point as we were approaching a road with moving traffic which we realised we were supposed to cross - have got the whole event on video camera! Luckily our driver caught us up just in time to cross the road! The elephants are all so obedient and really cute! Trekked through a river then up a really steep slope (did think we might fall out - we weren't secured in all that well!) back to the beginning. We were then taken to a little Thai cafe place in the middle of the jungle bit where we had some lunch - rice, noodles, fruit, meat dishes - the usual Thai food. Really nice actually - not spicy at all thank god! Next stop was a visit to the Karen tribe - luckily we got driven direct to them so no trekking - yey! These are the largest tribe in Thailand (although we only saw a small part of it - they also have some members who live really far up the mountain called the longnecks - so called because they put gold rings around their necks to stretch them!) Again they make their money from selling their handicrafts to tourists - apparently it takes 3 days just to make one silk scarf! Back on the bus and we were driven to MaeWang waterfall - really pretty place - see photos! We were considering going for a swim (wore a bikini just in case) but got there and realised that the water pressure from the waterfall and the current were far too strong! Had a steep climb back up to the bus - at least there were manmade steps this time though! Got to the top and heard our Thai guide exclaim "Oh my Buddha" - we found this quite funny! Next stop was bamboo rafting - quite an experience! Got told to leave our shoes and socks and all electrical equipment in the bus in case it got wet - good job too as I was completely soaked through by the time it ended! Had to walk down a gravel path bare foot until we got the river. We then had to board our rafts. Our raft was really low in the water (probably not helped by the fact we had a fat bloke on it!) so me and bex got our bums wet to start with. Bex than had to change rafts to try and balance the weight out a bit more. Continued down the river hitting rocks and stuff as we went each time getting more and more wet. Went past some Thai people on another raft who decided it would be hilarious to splash us - think we were too shocked to retaliate. Rounded the corner and saw some more - we were ready for them this time though! Had a massive water fight as we went past and ended up soaked through - see pics! Really good day and well worth 1200 baht (about 18 quid!).