Hello there! We have had the most amazing day! at 8:30am the mini bus arrived at the hotel and after picking up 5 other travellers from other hotels we drove for about 1 1/2hrs into the mountains. The scenery was so beautiful and very different from the city we had just left behind!

Once we were there we went to visit a hilltribe and were able to look around their house and see the jewellery they had made. We then walked for about 1hr along some very narrow pathways, eating fruit straight off the trees (we had a guide who showed us!) and getting higher and higher. We eventually came to a waterfall and hafter walking across a 'bridge' (a strip of bamboo!) we had a dip in the water and admired the view!

We then walked a bit higher up the mountain to rejoin the mini bus which then drove us to aother hilltribe. The scarves and bracelets they made were beautiful and even though their lifestyle was so basic and they seemed to have so little, they were so friendly.

After that we drove to the elephants. We were so excited to even see and elephant that close and when we finally got sat in the little seats on his back it was just fantastic! We bought bags of bananas and sugar cane to feed him and they munched through 3 bagfulls, skin and all! Every couple of minuted a truck would flip up and grab the food from our hands then chuck it in their mouths! Leanne and Sophs elephant was a bit naughty and poohed on a baby elephants head!! Mine and Ems was abit better behaved so we were allowed to take it in turns sitting on his head rather than the seat. It was amazing, its skin was very hairy and so thick. It was a bit tricky to stay on and his ears kept flicking my legs but it was well worth it.

After saying bye to our elephant friends we went for food before going to our final activity, bamboo rafting. We had to go on in 3's so Emma, Soph and Leanne went on one, whilst I joined up witj a Dutch couple. The raft was about 8 sticks of bamboo joined together and although it floated, we were in an inch or so of water most the time. The girls all had a go at steering theirs, with varying success! On my raft, me and the dutch girl were quite happy for her boyfriend and the guide to do most the work whist we sat and chatted and got drenched by other tavellers!

The day was so busy and I can't believe we got to experience so much in such a short period of time for so little money! We're really looking forward to white water rafting tomorrow!We'll keep you up dated!

Missing you all heaps, love you all,

Natalie and the girls xxxxxxxxxxxx