Lotus Pang Suankaew Chiang Mai

... represents a day of the week). Down the steps, and back down the wiggly road - this time in the rain.

Now we're back 'ere in the hotel. About to shower and head off for dinner.

Children fine. Millie less sure of the food, but particularly loved the taxi rides - a big smile all the way in her first tuk-tuk ride! But then she loved all that in Costa Rica too. Lucy more laid back, takes it all in her stride.

... it!

So all in all, apart from the trekking part, the whole trip was actually really enjoyable. Rob, obviously had much more fun that I did and will never ever take me trekking again. But it was an amazing experience and the memories will last forever.

Rob: Okay when they said white water rafting was on the agenda, Beckie looked very nervous. However the fact it was sprung upon us meant she didn’t have time to worry about it. I was ...

... with their trunks. Lek was waiting for us when we got out of the river to welcome us and answer questions. She was already an idle of mine from what I have read about her, and saw of her on TV, but she is even more impressive in person (even at about 4 foot 10). She is so passionate about what she does and willing to spend time talking about all the details of the park, how it was created, her past, and all the elephants for as long as we want. She shared ...

... a mixed group (French, German, Dutch, American and a dirty old man from Italy and his Thai 'girlfriend') but generally they were all great people. I do feel very sorry for the poor Thai girl though - they can barely communicate with each other at all and she spends most of the time along, just looking incredibly bored and lonely.

The trek itself has been grand - nothing compared to the Inca Trail but it's nice to be out and camping every day and meeting some nice ...

... life" or something like that. They tasted awful and when we left she wrote down her "Nutri-life" ID number and said we can use it anywhere in Thailand as well as many areas throughout the world, for "Nutri-life" discounts. If only they were good enough to buy again. We noticed that even people who are not trying to sell you something are very friendly, helpful and smiley here in Thailand. Even some of the Tuk-Tuk drivers stop to help you with ...

... avec les doigts vers l'intérieur de la table monte jusqu'à l'épaule et l'autre l'arrête à l'aisselle. On monte donc, on tourne et on redescend sur les côté. 3 fois Mantra 39 Prendre la main de la personne d'une main et avec l'autre presser le pouce sur le tendon en montant jusque la jonction du coude puis faire des cercles à l'intérieur du bras et monter jusqu'à l'épaule et redescendre paume de la main entière sur le côté. 3 fois Mantra 40 On a toujours la main de la personne ...

... whizz (well not quite as I don't think we ever made it over 30mph) by - perfect. I arrived in Chiang Mai and booked into my lovely guesthouse, double ensuite room for just 6 pounds, I love this country! I spent two days doing the usual sites including more temples, I'm starting to feel a bit templed out. They are beautiful but very samey. The weekend market was brillant, with all sorts of food, clothes and knick knacks for ...

... this time. BAngkok was a complete breeze after India and NEpal, I think I am doing this trip the wrong way round! I should have warmed up to India instead of shocking my system by starting off there! As stressful as I found it travelling there, it was definitely more of an adventure than SE Asia, and things dont impress me quite as much as they did there (from the mammoth palaces, to seeing lepers on the roadside and toddlers having a **** in the gutter ...

... It is an amazing buffet lunch, varying in size and selection depending on the amount of people that are there. our second day there were many daytrippers visiting the park and the lunch selection was absolutely brilliant but everyday the food was great.

Getting wet

One of the main differences from any other elephant park even those that are interested in the conservation of the elephants is that the elephants are NEVER called apon to do any tourist tricks or ...