We arrived in Bangkok around 7am and walked to our hotel, it wasn't that far but it's the furthest I've had to carry my bag so far...think I need to stop shopping or do some exercise...or both.
After breakfast I went with Katherine to the Saturday market which is meant to be huge, we successfully managed to get the underground with the help of a nice lady and they were right, it was huge. We shopped and looked at lots of weird and wonderful stuff. The place was like a maze and so hot, there was a pet section there which was pretty awful. I did however have the best drink I've had for 3 weeks, fresh orange juice! It doesn't sound like much but pure juice is pretty rare.
After getting the train back I had lunch by the pool and a little time to relax before our final group dinner....yey!!
Bom took us to a restaurant just off Khaosan Road, then for cocktails! What a crazy place, some of the people look like they've been there forever (spaced out and in serious need of a shower). But the atmosphere was great, everyone was really friendly and I enjoyed seeing it and being there, although any more than a couple of days here and I'd be ready to escape. I was sad to leave Bom, he was a good guide and so helpful. I look forward to visiting Bom's Corner in Chaing Mai when he opens it one day. I can safely say that except for Katherine and Alan I will never speak to any of the others again and although I've had the best time I'm relieved to be saying goodbye to certain people and hopefully my next group will have more of my kind of people. I'm sure they'd say the same about me and I'm ok with that....because I couldn't care less :) I wish them all well with their travels but we just didn't really have any common ground. I'm so excited to be starting a new group and seeing Leanne for hopefully some relaxing sunny days on the islands.
On Sunday I slept till 11 (it's been a while since I had a lie in, I enjoyed every minute) then caught up with Alan before I left. We decided on one last lunch before going our separate ways, plus he offered to carry my pack to my next hotel so lunch was on me. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with him in England before he goes home in October.
My new hotel was so posh, compared to some of the places I've stayed pure luxury. I quickly checked in and went to the roof, all the sun beds stood in shallow water, it looked lovely but very annoying when my towel kept falling in. I waited there for Leanne who arrived sweaty and tired....she better get used to it. She dropped her bags and we went out to explore with a guy she'd shared transfer with, he was on his own so felt bad not inviting him along. We got a tuktuk to the grand palace only to find it closing, so opted for a boat ride along the canal to see the floating market. The trip lasted an hour, cost £14 and the floating market consisted of one lady in a little boat trying to sell us pencils and other crap.
In the evening we went to meet the new group we'll be spending the next ten days with. Everyone seems pretty nice, the majority already know each other from another tour and there are 4 newbies, my new leader is Anek. Some people didn't bother to come to the meeting and went out shopping instead?? After dinner we took another trip to Khaosan Road for cocktails and a wander round with the scariest tuktuk ride there and back. Tomorrow is a short flight to Krabi and the start of Island paradise I hope.

Oh and I was unfortunate enough to witness a ping pong show, I don't really know what to say except it was my first and last time.