So we left you in China and have now been a week in Thailand, in busy Bangkok and up north in chilled Chiang Mai.

It's been a haze of dazzling temples, street food, markets, trekking, cooking and massage. It was a surprise to get our hands on a few pints of Thai beer - after 3 weeks drinking China's 2-3% lager, we were more wobbly than expected in Thailand - 7% beer can't be consumed as quickly in the heat! It's also been disappointing that no one has even blinked at us in Thailand after our semi celebrity status in China. We've offered to pose in pictures with people but they're not having any of it...

Here in Chaing Mai we took a two day treck which was perhaps a little more hardcore than expected. We hiked 22kms in 2 days through dense jungle, at one point spending 2hrs hiking up a river to continue the trek through a 200m pitch dark bat cave, guided only by a bandana-wearing flame-wielding slightly mad Thai man. We spent the night with a family in a hill tribe, 'enjoying' the local rice wine, and after some confusion with the mosquito nets I managed to spend the night with 2 Dutch men, whilst Dan slept alone.

Needless to say the next day a Thai massage was in order, unfortunately the experience was somewhat 'crunchy' and I spent more time stressed about what position I would be manipulated into next by a tiny (but oh so strong) lady than relaxing!

Today we've cooked up (and eaten) 7 Thai dishes each, and tomorrow we fly to Laos to spend a few days in Luang Prabang 'SE asias most romantic city'!