Ive just uploaded a bunch of photos so i wasnt going to write this- but seeing as its just started tipping down with rain now seems like the perfect time :)!

Last time I posted i think i was in Pai and a little unsure of the hippy village- turns out it is quite a kool little place after all. After only a few night of being there the locals know your name and you see the same faces around town.  It is quite a kool little retreat if not a little bit alternative. Anyway decided to do a white water rafting trek for 2 days on the river with a night in the jungle. Was pretty awesome. The guides (see photo) where really funny and in broken english we managed to all survive the trip. The rapids themselves were pretty managable and only once or twice was I a little like 's....t'. Did alot of swimming in the river jumping off the boats which is probably how i picked up the mingin bug bites that have taken over my leg. Its not pretty and mum you would have a fit but its all part of the jungle life! The little camp was stayed in was a basic- no shower or bath washed in the stream and slept on a platform with a wet sleeping bag etc. Ive done D of E tho so im a pro but im not sure im planning another trek untill my leg is sorted- uurgh. The trip ended in Mae Hong Son which is south of Pai but as there was a budda festival going on in Pai i headed back to check it out. Something to do with the end of the monks fasting and the hilltribe people coming down to buy food after the raining season, music food the lot. Chilled out in a Shisha Bar with a few people from Reading as (so much for the end of the rainy season) it started raining! 

So Im now in Chiang Mai which is still in the north just east of Pai. Its a big city with lots of temples and markets all of which i am going to explore tommorrow. Today I did a cookling course with the Master which was awesome. I now know how to cook my favourite dishes, pad Thai, papya salad, mango and sticky rice. yummy. Planning on eating just thai food when i get home. Its yummy. I love the eating here, its everywhere and people just eat when they are hungry. No too much not too little and full of veg. Rice is kool too when its sticky - its a special type. oo Tom Yum soup too\-means thai yum or something. Its good.

Loving the thai people still and its really kool just to sit down and have chats with them in the markets. they take things very slow and if yourun people turn too see where the fire is. pai was a good place to chill out a bit. Gona hit the night market tonight! 

Hope your all well and good. Message board is going well. More messages very welcome. Lots of love suz

x