Welcome to Bangkok. Now strap yourself in and hang on tight.....

The flight was pretty good for the 11 hours and we made good time despite a software failure delaying us for 40 mins (I'd thought of volunterring some help but i think I'd be way out my league there) We landed in one of SE asia's largests airports in the afternoon at about 15.00. Customs and baggage was a breeze and we were out in 20 min. Now with all that organised efficiency your quite relaxed by it all.....just as well really because as soon as your on the other side it may as well be another planet!

The taxi ride in was at 80 mph across and I mean across 6 lanes of traffic. All the while our driver muttering under his breath (I'm sure it was because he thought 80mph was too slow!) We arrive in Chinatown (just) with us moving in slow motion and the world around us moving at 150 mph. Everywhere in every direction something was happening. Food being cooked by the side of a main road, shopping, Tuk, Tuks neon lights and traffic lots of traffic.... We got over the shock to our senses quickly with an amzing meal looking over the Bangkok skyline at night. Got our bearings and we were off. Down into the "backpack capital" koh Saan road. A small street about half the length of the V11 maoin road out the front of Broughton but with roughly ALL of city stuffed any which way possible in. Not for the faint hearted for sure. We watched and walked eyes wide in amazement, up and down the same street 2 or 3 times before stopping for a beer or 2.

Initaited and rejuvenated we were up and out on the Chao Phrya river the next morning with the City rising up on either side on our way to the temple of the recling Budda where your greeted in thai with the explantion that Calmness is happiness. A traditional massage took out the knots from the flight before we sat in awe of a sitting Budda; we both felt an almost spiritual feeling, especially as when we were leaving Trevor was approached by a monk curious to know who we were and where we from..... We took it all in over a thai lunch for 3 pounds before setting out for the shops. The MBK centre is laid out a lot like the City cenre and the same size on one of its 6 floors anyway!! We topped this day off (literally) the only we thought possible...on the 61st floor in an open air bar called 'Vertigo'(their advertising guy is laughing all the way to the bank with thinking that one up!) In a true sex in the city moment Jo done Carrie proud - only cocktails could be drunk at this height and a cosmopolitan arrived quickly after that!

It doesn't seem that just 5 days have passed and we have been gone less than a week; but we a well and truly on the road now...the islands are calling to us now....more again soon xxx