Thailand in 2: Part 1 - The North For me, Thailand is completely divided. There's the north, Chiangmai and the Golden Triangle, including Pai: and then there's the south, the infamous thai islands of likes of Koh Phi Phi at one side and Koh Phangan at the other. Bangkok, in the centre, is somewhat of a mix of both of my ideas about Thailand The north was wonderful! When I travelled into the Golden Traingle to Pai, I was lucky enough to be there during 2 huge Thai festivals: Loi Krathong and Yi Peng. During this time Thai people make Krathongs, which are like small floats decorated to look like flowers and which carry incense and a candle, and they light then and send then down the river to cleanse them of their sins. They also light sky lanterns and all let them off together in the temples or by the river. It is such a stunning thing to experience. I was staying with a Thai lady called Darling and she dressed me up in traditional village clothing and I became part of the parade through this little mountain town. It was incredible! While in Pai, I was also able to ride an elephant! I had done a lot of research into this as animals can free be treated horribly in countries in Asia and due to the lack of regulations, it can often go unnoticed or uncared for. It is a typical thing to want to do when in Thailand and the city Chiangmai has capitalised on elephant treks. You have to make sure they don't strap a huge seat to the elephant as it is really bad for the animal. Although they have very thick skin, those structures, however many times a day they are made to ride with heavy westerners on their backs, are damaging. Secondly, check the elephant's head for scarring. Some elephants are raised lovingly and carefully: some are abused and violently beaten into submission with a hammer. Unfortunately, the later is the case a lot with big companies around Chiangmai. I was very lucky and was able to spend a few hours with elephants raised by The Karen Tribe who live in the jungle of the mountains near Pai. I trekked through the jungle, balancing, sat on it's neck, my legs clinging on for dear life behind the elephant's ears! Then washed her in the river and swam with her and played in the water splashing and being thrown off down stream! I was even able to feed then the bananas i had taken them and saw where they lived in the village. I don't know how they were raised and they are trained to respond to commands but there were no seats and no scars, just a lose rope for me to hold on to to keep my balance and this was removed as soon as we returned through the jungle. They are beautiful beautiful creatures! Also in north Thailand it is common to rent motorbikes as they are the easier way to get round these valleys and Winding little roads. Up the mountains, there are secret temples, gorges and waterfalls that you can go and explore, if you can find them! I rented a motorbike and found a beautiful waterfall but unfortunately it began pouring it down with rain and I lost control of my bike and fell off. I am incredibly lucky to have walked away with a graze down my leg, a pretty nasty graze, but I saw so many backpackers with broken limbs or grazes that covered their sides and faces completely. I was going slowly and so me and the bike were fine. There seem to be hardly any health and safety regulations in Asia and although that means things seem more exciting and adventurous, it means you are totally unprotected. Again, I was lucky. Many aren't. Before I moved south in Thailand i went to the city of Chiangmai. It was bustling and beautiful and while I was there I had a Thai massage. It's not a relaxing experience as they twist and bend you until your joints crack ad stretch, but it feels amazing afterwards. Again, like the elephant tourism, there is a tourist risk with where to get massaged: how well they're trained, treated and how well they treat you. I went to the women's prison for mine as they have a rehabilitation centre where they train prisoners properly so they can integrate back into society one they leave. It's a great cause for Thai Women who would otherwise potentially be neglected by society or feel at a loss without a skill to get work and try to fit back in. If people who leave prison aren't supported, they are more likely to commit more crime. It was such a professional day with incense burning and relaxing Thai music playing. I was a stretched out! North Thailand was welcoming and full of culture. There were tourist traps and dangers but mostly there were experiences and new adventures for you to learnt about Thai culture. I really enjoyed my time here! Then it all went south ... But that's for another blog! Miss E xxxx