hi there sorry its been so long since ive been blogging but the internet isnt as reliable in Samui they keep in having power cuts !! and yesterday i tried to download some of our pics on the owners laptop but as i was doing so i stumbled upon some of his photos (honest a god they just popped up as soon as i clicked picture file) and lets just say - very explicit adult porn!!!! I nearly died .. so i logged off straight away and made my excuses and left !!!! eeeeekkkkkk so 3 days ago we did a whilstle stoptour of Bangkok with our tour guide Jerry, great guy with a really good sence of humour. we did the grand palace, which had the most fabulaous architecture, a mixture of Thai, and chinese ... read more

i know you'll all appreciate this, ive just checked in for my flight to Bangkok with Bangkok airways and they have their own lounge .... with drinks, sandwiches, drinks and internet all free. Its really swish and i couldnt help thinking of Chandler and Monica on their honeymoon trying to get into one of these .....ive just turned around and there arent an oranges on the counter but bananas instead !!!! anyway must go theres drinks and nibbles to be had !!! love you love you love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ... read more

Well today was the day I've been waiting for all my life I recon - "own an elephant for a day" as soon as we arrived we were given a really interesting talk on the history of the elephant, why the are in decline and how they are very eco friendly. For example when they tread in the mud they form natural little pools that fill up with water that are then inhabited by insects and plants.They live for about 80 years, and one bull will service several females, they come into season every 4 years and the gestation will be 22 months. There were 7 of us altogether, 3 couples and me - all very nice people. My elephant was called Mymason he was 35 years old weighed 3 and 1/2 ton about 6ft high ... read more

Today was the annual Chiang Mai flower festival, with lots of floats all completely covered in flowers as you can see they were amazing - a bit like the Bridgewater carnival except with flowers instead of lightbulbs ! i went with Fab from France and Mareika from Holland, 3 girls having fun. then it was dinner time .... today was mango with sticky rice .. oh god it was sooooo good. I havent mentioned the food much which is really odd because the Thai's eat ALL day long !!! every 10 yards there is another food stall selling the most amazing and varied food, i dont think they cook at home much, as everyone is always eating in the street, there are little plastic chairs to sit on everywhere, and thats just what you do .... ... read more

THANK GOD FOR CROCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my poor poor feet have blisters all over them, and i thought i might have to cancell the trek, but i thought dig deep Karen, dont give in, go find a foot solution - so i was limping/hobbling around town looking for some sort of padding or gauze or stuff - when hey presto - there they were !!!!! sky blue crocks - oh my god how good did they feel ......... so i think i'm saved ANYWAY !!!! .................... today i went to what i thought was going to be a craft market but turned out to be a series of factory outlets spread out over a mile or so, my driver wasa lovely round thai lady called ping pong ! i dont know if it ahas anyting to do ... read more