Back in bustling Bangkok after an amazing few days in Chiang Mai, so I shall endeavour to tell you about our experiences... MONDAY We arrived in Chiang Mai at 6am (having had only one hour's sleep) and headed for the hotel where we would be picked up for trekking. We weren't leaving until 9:30 so we had breakfast and sorted out our bags, making sure they were waterproof as it is rainy season at the moment. 9:30 came around and we set off in a group of ten to the elephant camp. Elephant riding was a truly amazing experience, getting to view the rainforest from the vantage point of one of nature's most impressive creatures. With that over, we went for lunch and shortly after drove for about half an hour into the middle of the National Park, where we were to begin our trekking. 40 minutes in to the trek we had our first stop at a waterfall so most of us went for a dip, amusing ourselves with the natural waterslide we discovered. After the swimming we embarked on the main trek, which was to take us all the way to the hill tribe village where we were spending the night. Some wierd and wonderful wildlife was spotted on the way, including the biggest wild spider I have ever laid eyes on! We rocked up at the village at about 5:30pm and settled into our dorm on stilts. Dinner was served and we all huddled around four candles eating Thai green curry. The post dinner entertainment was provided by Mr B and Foo, our guides, and Kim and I also introduced everyone to the observation games we had learned in Kroombit, Oz. With the games over, we went to bed but, it turned out that it wasn't going to be that easy... The Ant Express Highway, a Spider's Convention and the Annual Mosquito Ball where all in full swing when we went into the hut so, Mr B and Foo's services were required before any of the girls could even think about going to bed! When the commotion died down, the one hour of sleep I had had caught up with me and it wasn't before long that I was dead to the world. TUESDAY Today Kim and I set off on our own as we were the only two from our group doing the two day trek, everyone else staying on for a third day. Foo was our guide for the day, and we set a cracking pace from the start. We arrived at another waterfall about 2 and a half hours later, prompting more swimming to cool off. We left there with only the hour-long final leg ahead of us, and lunch at the end of it was incentive enough for me! We made it to the truck in said hour and stretched out on the back seats while we were driven to the lunch spot. As there was only two of us, there were plenty of noodles to go round, so we had our fill and went off for bamboo rafting! Ok... if you imagine white water rafting, with less technology and less safety equipment, you're half way there!! Kim and I sat in the middle of a raft about 3ft wide and 12ft long, hurtling down a river with nothing but bamboo to hold on to. Luckily some parts were calmer and we were able to take in our breathtaking surroundings - roaming wild elephants, village children bathing in the river, and mammoth multicoloured dragonflies. When we disembarked, we were wet through, so the hour long drive back to the hotel was a slightly uncomfortable one, but we hardly noticed through our enchantment with the whole expedition. We got back at about 4pm and were being picked up at 6, so we passed time showering and re-organising our somewhat jumbled up bags. The coach pick up came and took us to a service station where our chariot awaited us, so we boarded, bagged ourselves the good seats, and settled in for the 12 hour journey back to Bangkok. WEDNESDAY Arrived back in Bangkok at 5am (I hadn't even managed a wink of sleep) and staggered to our hotel on Khaosan Road. Luckily for us they had our room ready even though we were mega-early, so we went upstairs and crashed out until 10ish this morning. Our first proper shower in three days was extremely satisfying, and, refreshed, we went down for brekkie. After breakfast we decided that it was high time we sampled a Thai massage, so off we went to 'Chanwit's Hideaway'... Everyone knows the saying "no pain, no gain", and I can safely say that you have to keep that firmly in the back of your mind during one of these badboys! An hour of pummelling, rubbing and twisting did the job however, and both Kim and I came away fully relaxed. We then took advantage of the cheap internet for 'massage customers' and logged on to give you the envy-making update. Well, I said it was going to be a long one and I was right, but I hope you have enjoyed reading it! Off now to book our trip down to the Islands, so I'll give you a heads up as to what we have decided on soon... Keep livin' the dream Lotsa love Tom xx