Warning: superlative and adjective-laden post ahead!
Last weekend I went on a 2 day tour with some friends from the course. It was an amazing time, we had such adventures that I'm quite sure none of us will ever forget it. Utterly exhilerating. The photo above is of the floating huts in Khao Sok national park. We stayed here overnight. The water is all fresh, so our morning wash was just a jump off the back deck.

Our jungle trek guide, Wun, after reaching our destination: this lovely series of waterfalls. We walked for 4 hours through the jungle after heavy rains, so the river crossing (on foot, clinging on to overhanging vines or each others hands in a human chain) were perilous and shoes were pointless - we took them off and tied them around our waists using a vine. It was incredible, wonderful and utterly exhausting.

Yes. I rode an elephant through the jungle. Their sheer enormity stunned me.

This was taken from the car as we approached the elephant jungle trekking station. Their handlers just rode on their heads calling out commands. Just like that. I almost peed myself with excitement.

Technorati Tags: photography, thailand, travel, trouble

There's a little over a week left to my trip, and to the end of my TEFL course and I really really don't want it all to end. The thought of going back to the hustle and bustle of that big city I call home makes me sick to my stomach.

The course has been intense to a degree I wasn't quite expecting, and while it's been great to get the brain working again, the project deadlines and approaching exam have been quite stressful. In this mornings final review class before the exam I had a bit of a meltdown.... Actually, I think we all did. Meeting a friend in half an hour to go for a long, quiet walk on a beach over on the other side of the island and drink beers there at sunset. Maybe go to a beach bonfire party later on tonight. That should help blow off some steam. The camaraderie of all doing the course has been lovely and I look forward to maintaining many of these friendships long after the course is finished.

Ciao for now....