Ok, so we've been in Thailand almost a month now and haven't updated this blog once….you could see this as us being bad travellers but as we like to see it, we've just been having far too much fun….! That's not to say we've forgotten about everyone back home though, and of course we're missing you all….So, here goes with a mass update of our activities in Thailand over the last month….

We arrived in Bangkok airport at approx 16.10, collected our bags and headed straight to get the bus to our hotel, Centara Grand. The drive to the hotel was an experience, just think M25 in rush hour, but worse and we both vowed never to drive here! The bus dropped us off on a busy road and we couldn't get over the heat as we carted our bags the short distance to our hotel. We couldn't believe our luck as we entered 5 star luxury, well aware that we would soon have to experience life as real travellers…so, we made the most of it whilst we could, enjoying the comfortable bed, huge buffet breakfasts, and biggest bath we've ever seen….!

On our second day, despite being advised to get a taxi, we decided to brave the public transport and made our own way to the Grand Palace via BTS Skytrain and a boat down the River Chao Phraya. Upon arrival we were immediately harrased by Thai men claiming the palace was shut for a Buddhist holiday until 2pm but offered to show us the other sights in their tuk tuk at a price of 20baht each, by which time the palace would be open. Suffering from the heat (Helen looked like a tomato..!) we became increasingly agitated but thanks to the sound advice we'd been given before leaving England we didn't believe them and eventually made it into the palace! It was amazing, very ornate, but far too hot to be walking around…the lovely shirts and wrap around skirts we were provided with just added to the experience! After the Palace we jumped back on the boat and up to Koh San Road where we booked our forthcoming trip to Chiang Mai. On the third day we wandered round Pratunam market near our hotel, before checking out and moving into Koh San Palace (less like a palace, more like a hostel) on Koh San Road, where we had our first experience of Thai night life. The next day, feeling slightly worse for wear, we went on a day trip (starting at 7.30am!) to floating market, bridge over the River Kwai, and Tiger Temple. We came back and had dinner in The Roof, a little place playing live music, overlooking Koh San Road…our favourite place here.

Our early morning starts did not stop here as we were up at 5am the next morning to catch a flight to Chiang Mai…..