3000 turns in the mountain passes from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. We got a lift in a small yellow Songteow thinking it might be less nausea inducing and also why not add another form of transport to our list of different ways to travel. Our first stop was the Buddhist retreat and school of the Dhammgiri Foundation run by monks and volunteers who devote their time to taking care of the children. They also organised our first visit to the state run welfare school for impoverished families and teach over a thousand children.

Our last stop was the long neck tribal village of Nai Soi where for children had been brought down from the refugee camps to be checked by the international volunteer doctors. I think for the first time, we were visitors coming to entertain them and they didn’t have to sell the wares, hand woven by the women of the village. Although after the circus fun I did manage to trade a brass neck ring for a balloon dog!

Outside the city of Chiang Rai, past the white temple, lies the tiny village of Mae Lao where the lovely P Jit has shared her home with 14 children who have nowhere else to go. With the help of Asia Children’s Foundation they have volunteers helping to build extra housing and play areas.

In Chiang Rai town Sue Milne has set up the Ayui Foundation helping girls from the Akha Hill tribe who although born in Thailand have no nationality but are able to go to school and become registered.

Our last stop in the north was to Baan Nana. It took about 10 calls and referrals but eventually we got in touch and directions. After 2 hours bike ride getting lost in sugar cane and rice fields we made it, nearly to the border of Mae Sai and shadowed by the hills of Doi Tung. The kids had some after school fun in their gorgeous colourful uniforms. What an amazing end to our first part of the tour. The north finished and 15 places visited with hundreds of happy, smiling faces.