Hi all, James here with our first major update!

First question: Ban Sabai or Baan Sabai? Can you spot the difference? We didn't. Welcome to our first 'Travelling Dilemma'. After arriving at BKK International airport and taxi-ing out to Baan Sabai Guest House, near Khao San Road (infamous haunt of shoestring backpackers in Bangkok) we were politely informed that we were at the entirely the wrong place, and our other (pre-booked) accommodation was a good hours taxi ride away! Not wanting to face another foray into the mad mid-afternoon traffic, we decided to stay where we had landed. Good choice! Located in the midst of bustling Bamplamphu and never more than a stones throw away from a 7-11 (Spar/Co-op!) or a bar, our hostel was cheap, cheerful and convenient...Sorted, right? Wrong. Welcome to Travelling Dilemma Numero 2...

After heading out to briefly explore Khao San and have a few celebratory Chang Beers, we crashed back at the hostel to get our first decent night's sleep (no matter how many comfort meals and films you provide Qantas, I still ended up curled like an AWAKE cat crammed into a very small basket). We awoke on Wednesday and headed for Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, some of Bangkok's most spectacular temples. On the way, we got chatting to a very friendly Thai named Art (!!!) who said he could show us many temples and take us to the TAT (Tourist information) for a mere 20 baht each (40p!). Foolishly, we gave in, and after seeing a few mediumly impressive temples, our tuk-tuk driver duly escorted us to the TAT to...book the rest of our accommodation/travel/activities/spare seconds of time. NO! This was not what we wanted, so we made a speedy exit, forcing our none-too-happy driver to take us back to the Brits-Abroad safety of Khao San. We returned there, dignity (but luckily not wallets) dented...and proceeded to think out a group pick-me-up in the form of heading out that evening to snare other travelling virgins (not literally, for that you need to go gawk at the sex tourists in Patpong) and drown our sorrows in Chang.

[Sidenote: After spending all the Baht I has with me on arrival (thanks Aunty Is), I picked out an ATM to withdraw my hard-earned funds (thanks Duchy)...only to encounter TRAVELLING DILEMMA NUMBER 3: Card cut off, Natwest are fools].

Our morning after merriment was cut short when we awoke after a great night out and were presented with the visible aftereffects, or as I like to call them...TRAVELLING DILEMMA NUMBER 4: The Changover!!! A deadly combination of humidity, dehyration and primarily, Chang Beer had laid us low. And when I say low, I mean LOW. Me worst of all.
I could barely eat/move/at times breathe for the best part of Thursday, so we made the decision to escape the city, and head South. A rather nervy (and again sleep-deprived) overnight bus journey to Krabi later, and we are basking in the lovely Southern sun at Ao Nang (more on the South in my next installment).

I realise I may have made it sound like we are not having fun. We are. As much as Bangkok was terrifying, it was also amazing - mad, hot, non-stop, but amazing. We have some great memories to take away with us - sampling the nightlife in the roof top bars of Khao San, meeting Neil who entertained us with stories of his travels (and Amy Winehouse!), braving the mean streets in a tuk-tuk and so on, and so on...As for the temples, they'll still be there when we return - hopefully a little wiser. And tanned. Much more tanned. We are white!

ps. Mum and dad, debit card is restored/have happily withdrawn cash. Also grabbed some Doxcycline Malaria tablets at a Boots on Khao San Road. 300 baht for 30 tablets. Bargain!
pps. Jerry/Del - Sarah says she is drinking her body weight in water and is sloshing on sun cream by the bucket load. Don't worry!
pps. Sue - We lost Emma in Bangkok. Sorry ;)