We arrived in Chiang Mai about 2/3 hours late. But all was good, we were given time to freshen up before we met as a group to choose our optional activities.
Candy, I and a few others decided to go to the Tiger Kingdom. This is something that I was really excited to do as I don't think that I would be able to see a tiger on any other parts of my trip. I was however a bit disappointed when I turned up. I was hoping that the park would be like that of the Pandas in China. But instead the cages weren't very big and very unnatural. Also in order to enter the park you had to buy a ticket to have a photograph with one of the tigers. I opted for the medium tiger as it was the cheapest and I wasn't sure if I was going to actually have it done or not. I did however and it was a fantastic experience. but I still don't agree with the concept of the park for all visitors to come in, spend 15 mins with the tigers and have their photographs taken. It was so touristy and exploitive to the tigers. Anyway rant over and I will show the photos at some point.
After this we went to a temple. This temple apparently you have to visit in order to say that you have visited Chaing Mai. It was very pretty. But me and Candy have agreed that this will be our last temple.
In the evening we went for a lovely dinner and then wandered the night bazaar before heading back for a well deserved rest before our trek in the morning.
Tuesday started off pleasantly. A fairly long drive and stopped at the most beautiful waterfall. It was very different to the ones in Loas as it was much higher and more powerful and less easy to swim in. But definitely stunning.
After we dried off we went on and stopped for a feast of a lunch. Vegetable fried rice, pineapple and dragon fruit! Yum Yum!
Eventually we started our trek. It was really tough. There were moments that I was gasping for breath and that I thought my legs might drop off, but the scenery around me was so beautiful it was well worth it. The going down bits were definitely the worst especially as the last twenty minutes were all down hill. It was such an achievement to finish.
When we finally stopped it was in the most quaint little village. The hut that we were all going to be sleeping in was very cozy and decked out all in mosquito nets for us. Most people except us and a few others braved the cold stream for a wash. But we did it festival style and had a wet wipe shower. I know very classy!
Dinner was served outside and was so delicious. To start was spring rolls with sweet chilli dip! All home made! Dinner was more rice and stir fry and pineapple! My body is actually finally loving me for feeding it a good amount of fruit and veg!
Our evenings entertainment was from our local guide Nong, who I have to say is such a character, every little thing he laughs at! Anyway the evening was spent with him showing us various magic trick and match stick brain teasers.
After waking up to a little bit of a sore back on Wednesday and also to all of the cockerels. We had a decent breakfast and headed on today's part of the trek. It was alot easier than yesterday but the heat of the day added it's own little problem. We stopped for a few breaks along the way and before we knew it were at the point where we met the elephants to take us to our lunch. Here a few of us chose to walk to our lunch, this was because you either rode the elephants first and then had to walk again or walked and then got the elephants. As we were feeling ok we volunteered to walk first. We also ended up getting the better of the two deals as the first elephant ride was quite steep down but not a very difficult walk and ours was a long pleasant, odd steep moment stroll with the elephant. I definitely enjoyed this elephant ride so much more than in Loas as I know that it sounds weird but it was more authentic. Candy didn't enjoy it so much as the elephant was much higher than the last, but I am itching for my next elephant ride, which isn't until February : ( The other group meanwhile sounded like they had a horrific walk.
The elephant ride was finished off with another short walk to our next village. This was even more quaint and beautiful. To start here we had banana spring rolls which were absolutely amazing especially as I got to help make them, followed by sweet and sour pork, stir fry veg, rice, stir fry pumpkin that was delicious! We are being spoilt!
Tonight's entertainment was provided by a guitar and a good old sing song! It was so much fun! definitely one of my best nights especially when our guides started singing traditional Thai songs and tried to teach us the elephant song. This was finally finished off with us discovering that they could read palms and making them read all of ours before they made us all go to bed.
In the morning we were treated to pancakes, fruit and toast before we finished off our journey by bamboo rafting! This was so much fun! Alot more tranquil than I had expected and it meant that you really had time to take in the scenery, unfortunately none of us had our cameras out as we were too scared off getting them wet. The best bit was defiantly the second bit when we got to go through some mild rapids! I highly recommend this trip to anyone!

The afternoon has been pretty chilled out, driving back to our hotel and getting ourselves sorted. The next day proved to be expensive as we had to fork out nearly 40pounds for the priviledge of staying in Thailand for an extra week. Not very happy as if we had been informed of the problem we would face going over the boarder by bus than we could have applied for the visa in the UK for free but oh well. The rest of the day we spent sunbathing by the pool. This was well and truly needed before yet another sleeper train back to Bangkok : )