Sorry about the late update! Us geeks havent had as much internet access as we thought we would have!!
So update: Chiang Mai was awesome! The trekking was really good fun and we met some really great people. Shout out to Theresa, Rob, Paul, Thomas and Stefanie! We started the first day around the pool at our hotel (BMP – very good!), then went into the city in the evening to have a look around the night market, picking up two t-shirts for 2GBP each.
Early start the next day to begin the trek, and we went straight to the elephant sanctuary where we got to ride on an elephant with the rest of our group!
Our was very cheeky and demanded bananas before he would continue. However, tossing bananas ahead encouraged a good speed!
Then we had a 3 hour walk through Thailand’s hilly “jungle” (more like dried scrub land!) where we taught the practical uses of Bamboo (Catapult, food, walking sticks and a bong!). Then we camped at a small village which was memorable to say the least, including a shower in the stream and saw the night out with a campfire. Next day the hardcore trekkers (two nighters) continued. A 45 minute trek and we had lunch for almost 2 hours followed by an hours trek through rice plantations down to the first waterfall. An hour at the waterfall, before a 45 minute walk to the second where we camped for the night. Note to all : it’s freezing to shower in a waterfall even if the temperature is 30 degrees 
That night Jan (our guide) cooked up pumpkin mash which was the best meal we had in Thailand (Pumpkin, soy, rice and all things nice)! The following day was a small walk followed by Bamboo rafting which was mucho funo and probably the highlight of the trip, though Elee was bullied by Rob, Paul, the rafter, the locals and the other tourists! (Although Rob fell in 
)
Once back in the hotel the origional team (minus Stefanie and Thomas) met up for beverages where Chang Beer really DID kick Rob’s ass.
About 80p a Pint!
Next morning after a restless night for Rob, we checked out, lounged about the pool and almost missed the train back!
One day in Bangkok, and one day in transit later and we arrived at Gilligan’s in Cairns Australia – party capital of the East Coast. Our first day was spent lounging about the pool (again!) and exploring a bit of the town. We also decided against studying for the four day PADI course, and as such are leaving town a little early in our chubby (campervan)! Last night (our first night) we were woken up firstly by a room mate being sick, then by Rob being shouted at by an angry Frenchman and being made to swap beds, and lastly by some excessive snoring. We endured.
Today was spent job doing, booking Scuba, Green Island, changing travel plans, ringing home, buying internet time, blogging, buying food, postcards and other odds and ends! We also spent some of the day lounging (!) around a swimming pool/fake beach on the promenade. Very nice indeed!
We’re going to round off the essay there, so thanks for enduring, and hopefully we’ll be updating you again once we have the chubby.
Rob & Elee
XXX
