Well I am back in sweaty Bangkok after a full on 2 weeks or so in the North. Am now used to the squat toilets, but doesnt mean i like them, is a fine art to peeing and not getting it on your flip flop on a moving train! We stayed over night on a train which was hilarious, all had super comfy little beds with curtains, waitress service and there was a disco carriage! with flashing lights and party anthems! So bizarre but very funny. From there we have been visiting a few temples, given alms to monks, been to see some tigers at a tiger temple, seen a ping pong show- yes indeed ladies firing out ping pongs, smoking cigarettes and shooting darts all out of there nether regions.. eye opening shall we say. Visited the bridge over the river Kwai was quite spectacular it is a beautiful place which is ironic as has such a hideous history. Have cycled bikes through paddy fields and tried to eat some bugs- sadly my stomach let me down on that one, had to leave it to the big hairy Ozzie I've met who was more than capable of munching on a cockroach or 2 without flinching. Stayed overnight on a rice barge which was very cool and have been eating like a king. My plan of being skinny and brown upon my return isnt working out too well, everything is so cheap and so good i seem to be eating hundred times a day and of course washing it down with the local Singha beer too! Have been kidding myself that it is to make up for the starvation period of Japan but think thats well and truly over now! Am heading down South in a couple of days to find some beaches to lie upon and work on the tan , cant wait as Bangkok is a bit much at times all the crazy tuk tuk drivers, the heat, the noise , the smells and i need to chill... am already being drawn into buying a pair of baggy fishermans pants and getting my hair braided! Is ridiculous how many stereotypcial traveller types there are about and i fear i may morph into one of them.. You'll be glad to hear the hair is under control- ie under a headscarf mostly! Ok will love you and leave you. Apologies again for no photos but frankly i ve given up on that and you will have to wait for my return with bated breath... it takes far too long and being techno fool in foreign country its not easy to get help! For a start its hard getting my head through doors of internet cafes such is the size of the barnet ! Hope alls well and the football frenzy isnt getting too much.. Lucy x