I do apologize for the rather abrupt ending to last night's blog! Truth is I was only just getting started, the hostel's PC dollar allowance had timed out, and, well... having read it back, that may have all come across a bit 'negative'? Well let me venture back to the first few days of mine and Will's travelling, explaining how it is we've got here, and some of the silly little tales along the way (Tee-hee-hee!)! Not too much to say about getting that first flight (1st port of call: Dubai) other than it was simply the most drastic thing I have endured since being pierced by a bee's sting at the age of 6, but I think I've come to my conclusion of what experience was more traumatic! ''It's not a concentration camp we're heading for, it will be a GOOD experience!" was one of the many lines I used, to reassure myself of what was ahead, and how to feel positive about it all, but none the less I was in good spirit upon leaving for my travels. This was hugely down to all everyone's support back home (Yes, I'm afraid I can say that now 'back home' and it really does have rellevance, it's not just me being melodramatic!). The parties, gatherings, laughs and chats I was a part of, leading up to my departure, were all so special, and memorable, and set me up with the right frame of mind to set of into the world! And now I'm here... and I suppose you're happy now! But everyone reading this blog knows how much they're being missed, I needn't mention this, so thank you for the support - I owe you one ;-) I must also say though only having spent 3 days there, I highly recommend Bangkok, the city of safety hazards, and more than meets the eye! What an amazing and vibrant city! Me and Dr Willhelm truly felt at home here after only 1 day, something we never thought could have happened, especially when taking our first timid steps down Khao San road, the infamous bustling market street our hostel was tucked away in. Nothing could have prepared us for the culture shock we were in for, and by the time we were on our way to airport (I couldn't even tell you the day!) we were regretting having only booked 3 nights! The corruption, the energy, the pace of life, and the troubled but interesting people, were all part of the fascination, and by the second night, me and Will being typical bloody English country boys, we had done found ourselves a local! A Bob Marley/Harley Davidson bar (No need to explain the link between the 2 markets: There was none!) a little further down the alley on which our Hostel was situated. It was here we befriended the bartender (And his ever so observant manager), dazzled him with Will's magic, discussed plans for the next day, re-evaluated our haggling techniques, and ultimately got given a couple of t-shirts (And endless amounts of stickers promoting the bar!). We'll miss you Ped. X Now I don't want you to think we simply drank our Bangkok days away at our comfortable effort of a local, though there was no concern of blowing all our money on booze (Hundreds we spent! HUNDREDS!!! But nay worries with Baht, working out to be about 1 pound for a large Singha... I shan't mention what I've been paying in Sydney-town!). There were our scares, oh indeed, some scary moments. Mostly involving fireworks, Thai fuzz, and tailoring bullies! I shall explain... Ridning round in Tuc-Tucs was a particular favourite of ours (By the last day, we were met with confusion when asking a tuc driver if he would simply take our 100 B and just drive us round! "Where to? WHERE TO!?") and one of the most exhilirating experiences we found in screaming like wee lasses when a firework was tossed beneath the wheel of the vehicle, and preceeded to explode, with a violent crack, and smoke gushing out around the tuc tuc. The best part of it all was the driver's mere reaction - a simple grunt and frown! Will got padded down by some over-zealous Thai police, when coming out of the toilet, and having just turned down Ped's (Our not-so-trusty bartender) offer of Cannabis. I have to say the look on poor William's face as he nervously shuffled back to his seat at the Harley bar is one I shall never forget! And as far as tailoring bullies, well all I shall say is Tuc Tuc driver's don't mind pulling the wool over one's eyes... After darting around all the fabulous Buddhist temples, and waiting whilst we strolled leisurely around them all, 'delicious dohnut' as Will named him, told us he was quickly stopping to get some gas. "You go wait in there!" he told us, nodding towards a respectable looking suit makers right in the heart of Bangkok. Well, we can stand outside and wait, but you know what he must have recommended it for a reason, plus there were chairs! Well after 2 minutes of being there, we had been pounced upon, divided and ushered around the shop being forced into selecting a material and having a tailor made shirt designed and made for us, and I have never honestly ever seen such attitude and menace in a salesman's eyes (By now we figured Dohnut had set us up, and in reward for bringing these two hapless tourists to the suit making hell-hole, if only they would just buy one shirt, he would receive his free gas coupon!)!!! We eventually sternly told them we were leaving the store, and we would maybe 'think' about buying a shirt, but had some discussing to do first, and I couldn't have felt like more of a strong unit, feeling so confident in how we handled these tyrants... If only Will hadn't come out with "Did you see that material though!? It would have been a lovely shirt, AND would have only really cost about 20 pounds!" Any way I think I have said about enough for now, but there you go, by no means think that is Thailand summed up, there is so many other little stories, and experiences, that made our Thailand trip one strange but magical experience, but for now it's good night from me. And I'll let Dr Willhemenstein speak for himself! Night/Morning... What do I know!? xxxxxxxxxx :-)