So, it's now our third day in Bangkok and jetlag is becoming a distant memory, and the heat is certainly a welcome change from cold and frosty England...

We are staying at D&D Inn (which has its very own swimming pool - a welcome surprise!) on Khao San Road, which is the backpacking centre of the world. The street is full of little clothes markets, people selling delicious-smelling food and brightly coloured, and the obligatory useless objects aimed at tourists (fishing rope anyone? no? how about a frog/xylophone hybird?). Having spent the first couple of days wandering around this area, we venutred further afield, to Lumphini Park. Getting there was quite an adventure in itself as we had our first expierence of Thai buses, though for just 7 baht each way (approximately 15p) it was ridiculously cheap and rivals London buses! The park was probably the most tranquil area in Bangkok, and the air was certainly fresher. It also seems to be a bit of an exercise haven for locals - an open-air gym, badminton courts and an aerobics session in full swing in the centre of the park.