Oasis Hotel Chiangmai Chiang Mai

... Park. When I wake up in the morning I am still remaining myself that I am waking up in Thailand.

Across the soi from my apartment is a restaurant frequented by the residents here. The proprietor, Steve, a gay man from New Orleans, has become a good friend. He has welcomed me each night and introduced me to every person that comes through his doors. Not too mention the outstanding Thai food ...

... future. Many boys want to be a kick boxer (they practice in the pathways between the huts in the camp); others told me they want to be soldiers to fight the Burmese army. The girl’s dream of being teachers and doctors to help their people. The common theme for all is their ambition and dedication for a brighter future. The day starts at 5.30 am, it’s still dark, the children have breakfast and get ready for school. Today is Monday so the children all wear yellow T ...

... the a waterfall. It also turns out we are going into a less traveled part of the jungle so we are not going to see any tourists on other treks, which we are all glad to hear. It turns out that Date (our guide) is friends with alot of the tribes. After a very long & hot/sweaty walk we arrive at some hot springs, which is just what you need in what feels like 40degrees & 90 percent humidity. Then we walk up what date says is a little hill (it was bloody massive ...

... m. local time. After getting a little money from the ATM we found a cabbie who ripped us off. I even knew we were paying too much, but was way too tired to do anything about it. Not going to happen again. After getting some sleep at the hotel and unpacking, we wondered around for a few hours today. Stopped in a local restaurant for our first Thai meal, and had the first awkward cultural experience of the trip! No matter how much you ...

... had lunch ad then started our trek. Some of the boys had injured themselves whilst in Laos so they continued in the Songthaew with our bags while we trekked through the jungle to the first village. The trek took around 2 hours up and down some pretty steep terrain in the jungle. Our guide, Yee, made us walking sticks out of bamboo cane to help us slipping on the dried leaves along the path. We arrived at the village a bit hot and sweaty to find the four boys ...

... from its trunk and I purcased a picture which is in a frame made of dry elephant poo. Then the walking started. After about 10 minutes I felt like I was going to die, but we all persevered and after 3 days and 30km of mainly uphill hiking we were finished. We got to sleep in two different little villages in the mountain, swam in rivers and washed in waterfalls, went bamboo rafting down a river, ate amazing food and learnt lots of stuff. The people trekking with ...

... actually very big, but big happy mouths doesn't paint the right picture!) We also got our first elephant kisses, which I found incredibly ticklish, wet and hoover-like!! When their lunch time was over, we had ours - a really great buffet style dinner... mmmm!! Then we all got into our swimmers and gathered by the river to get up close and personal and bathe our big friends :) Tom took a bucket and I took a scrubbing ...

... the tallest building in Bangkok.

We had dinner at the restaurant on the 77th floor and enjoyed great views of the city.

They had a great buffet for dinner where we got to try some stuff we'd seen from the street vendors but hadn't gotten to try it yet – now we are constantly seeking out Roti, a grilled dough they fill with ...