OK then - we've booked the following on what should be a fun packed 10 days or so.

Tomorrow we're off to a craft-market, and despite trying so hard to avoid one (I had managed 4 1/2 weeks) Jen has finally won and thus we're going to spend a half day or so wandering around some touristy hill-tribe combo markets.

Tomorrow night (how's this for a double whammy) she's dragging me around the night bazzar...what have I done to deserve this? In all seriousness I am saving my brownie points up for when I want to do things!!

Then Monday is a day off to chill out and explore Chiang Mai, we had a good walk round earlier and it's just so relaxed and tranquil after Bangkok and the islands. The tuk-tuk drivers don't even pester you here!

Tuesday we are starting what should be great fun - a 3 day/2 night trek that takes in about 9 hours walking (more than I've done in the past 5 years put together) about 5 waterfalls, 3 hill-tribes, white water rafting and elephant riding...should be a laugh. We should also meet some other 'travellers' as it is an English speaking tour guide and there is usually 10 in the party.

After this (Friday) we're venturing closer to the Myanmar (Burma) border by going to Pai where we may do some more trekking although we've been warned that it is more touristy than here. We should arrive back in Chiang Mai on Sunday ready for our cookery course on Monday. We have opted for the following course:
Vegetable carving (no turnip jokes please Baldrick)
Red chicken curry
Spring rolls
Clear pork soup
Chicken in andaman leaves
Mango and sticky rice
Banana frittery things (that's their technical name)

We had to wait a while to do this course but it's the best one on offer and hopefully it'll mean we can poison you all upon our return.

That's about it...by the way it's 7.15 and still no sign of them monks - perhaps they're down the pub watching Man U Vs Arsenal...now there's an idea.....