On the night of 14/11/2007 a group of us went from the hostel to a "BBQ". Its where Thai people go out to eat, we were the only tourists and it wasnt exactly what i expected! It was like a massive hall like school dinners and through the middle of the hall you have uncooked food, vegetables etc and also cooked food, and you have variety of fruit and dessert. Its like a buffet but then at your table you cook your vegetables, fish, etc it was a bit weird and I didnt really enjoy it but it was an experience.

Today I went to a thai cooking course that I had booked yesterday. It started at 8.45am and finished at 2.30pm. It was amazing and I cant belive I cooked such tasty food. I learnt to make 7 dishes at this course, there were five of us with the main teacher and loads of helpers. The course started with us deciding from a menu what we wanted to cook and the going to the local market and picking out the fresh ingredients for the dish. The school was called www.asiascenic.com she said she was going to put some pictures up on the site in a few days and they will be under the date 16/11/07. I learnt to make the following;

- Fresh spring rolls, massaman curry paste. sweet and sour vegetable and (chicken or tofu), chicken in coconut milk soup, banana in coconut mill etc.

I also made a video, I tried uploading it at teh sostel but they dont have the software on the computer to open teh folder or something so I cant upload photos/videos yet. i have loads now and will upload then as soon as I find somehwhere I can.

I really like Chaing Mai, more so than Bangkok, everyone here is so laidback and friendly and the weather is just perfect. Although the mosquitos are pissing me off a little.

Tonight I think i will go to the night bazaar and maybe watch a movie as I heard it only costs 70 baht here which is like 1 pound! Tomorrow I plan to have a thai massage (again!) and watch a Thai boxing match. I am booked into a two day trek for the weekend. details below;

Day 1 - pick up at the hotel about 8.30am lobbyby truck. Out from Chingmai city 1 hrs to a local market for shopping. Then take a truck for 1hrs to have lunch at the elephant camp and start to walk to Long Neck Karen - about 40 mins, enjoy the rainforest and take shower at the waterfall! After that we walk 1 hr and arrive at the Luhu hilltribe village and stay there overnight. Can talk with locals and group and play games around the camp fire.

Day 2- after breakfast leave for the jungle, 2 hrs walking and 1.5 hrs riding elephant. Then lunch at camp. After that we start white water rafting about 1hrs slong mae tang river and bamboo rafting 10 mins.