| On arriving in Bangkok, after around 20 hours of travel, first thing was first... a Thai massage. Mmmm...
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| ...and then a swim in the pool at Harrow School, where Hannah and Paul work and live.
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| We managed to stay awake through the jet lag and headed into the centre of Bangkok for the evening. A fantastic meal, a ride in a tuk-tuk...
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| ...and a roam around the Lumphini night market, trying to work out how much space we have got in our suitcases for taking things home.
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| The main temple complex in Bangkok, which is famous for its emerald Buddha, but actually more impressive for its spectaculour, glimmering array of statues, temples, and decorations.
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| Offerings being made at the temple which, although a tourist attraction, is still very definitely a place of pilgrimage and worship.
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| A ride on the river amongst the colourful long-tail boats.
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| The huge, reclining Buddha statue at Wat Pho...
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| ... with mother of pearl footprints.
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| Pad Thai, cooked and served by the roadside, better than what you get in most fancy Thai restaurants, and costing around 50p.
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| The end of a busy day sightseeing in Bangkok, and we boarded the night train to Chiang Mai. We travelled 1st class, because it cost about £10, and we got our own compartment with beds and fried egg served to us in the morning.
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| Arriving in Chiang Mai the next morning, we were a little worn out but made our way to our hostel in a Songthaew, a taxi/bus taking a handful of people at a time.
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| More temple complexes in Chiang Mai, less spectacular but more atmospheric. They are kept pristine, which includes repainting and repairing everything, such that there is very little genuinly old decoration and that which remains is lost amongst everything else.
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| Al ripped his trousers, but no problem, this man by the street had them sown up in 15 minutes for the princely fee of 30p (Al took the trousers off first).
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| Doi Suthep - a holy mountain with a temple complex at the top.
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| Traditional dancing show given by school children at the temple complex at the top.
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| The next day we travelled north of Chiang Mai towards the national park for a 2 day rafting trek.
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| On our way through the forest to the river we stopped at a Lissu tribe village nestling in the hillside.
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| Our bamboo raft, and home for the next 2 days, was finished off as we arrived.
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| With our bags safely out of the water and our feet pleasantly cooled in it, our 2 guides punted us along the river as we sat and relaxed, taking in the varied countryside.
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| We had a picnic lunch (its a mango) on the riverside.
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| The river was never deeper than waist height (hence they were able to punt us along rather than having to row) but whenever the current quickened there was always a slight concern about falling in. We never did, but wet bottoms were a fairly common feature.
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| On a slightly calmer stretch of water they let us try our hands. Just like punting in the Cam (only with a piece of bamboo and more water buffalo in the river).
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| Our guide.
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| We stopped overnight in a Karen hilltribe village by the river. We stayed in a spare room belonging to a very hospitable young family. No running water, no electricity and just a sleeping bag on the floor.
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| But the room had a terrace with a wonderful setting...
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| ... and plenty of pigs to keep you company. Very primitive, but tranquil, welcoming and highly enjoyable.
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| A lady in the village weaving in the traditional fashion.
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| Some of the local ladies were happy to try and communicate with us despite about 5 words of common language and noone to translate.
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| Particularly as we bought some of their jewellery and weaving.
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| The following day began with a trek through the jungle to an elephant centre...
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| ...where we had a short ride along the river on the back of one...
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| ...and then fed it bananas with some local boys.
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| Lunch in the adjacent village, overlooking the river. More wonderful food, another blissful location.
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| An enterprising couple from a local bar were set up to take our photo as we neared the end of the rafting and sold us the framed print about 10 mins later!
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| Back in Chiang Mai and a quick ride in a bicycle rickshaw. It was midday, very hot and we made the poor guy ride us both right the way across town. We gave him a handsome tip and apologised for how big Al was!
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