Sunday afternoon - I'm still in Bangkok. Just looked over my last entry and I was horrified to read so many typos and grammatical errors - but I'm a pedant like that :P I'll probably go through all my blogs when I get time (probably when I get home) and change all the mistakes haha

Anyway, after my last entry, I did taxi it to the suit place. After drinking some free soft drinks, I went to look for a local restaurant my guidebook highligted. Didn't find it after half-an-hour. So, just went and sat by a bus stop under the shade frome the sizzling sun and chilled for a while. It was great. I guess it's one of those things you benefit from when on your own - you stop and chill whenever you want!

Later that afternoon, I decided to get food at the huge shopping mall on the other side of town (MBK), which my Ozzy hairdresser had mentioned when cutting my hair before I left and chatting about her visit to Thailand. I took a tuk tuk and got stopped on the otherside of thr road. Still couldn't find it. I planned to walk around a bit and maybe ask a local after taking some cash out (also for a local payment I'd have to make later to the group tour guide). I was then approached by another Tuk Tuk driver. He offered 10 Baht to MBK. I only had 5 before I took money out and he accepted. I went to take money out but the machine didn't read my card. The driver told me MBK has loads of ATMs anyway.
As I was seated in the Tuk Tuk, the driver recommended he take me to a Thai factory and Tourist info office so he could get coupons on his petrol (hence why he was offering me a cheap ride). I declined but he begged that I visit the places. I realised then that the "police officer" from yesterday (I didn't check for a badge and he was "out of uniform") had done the same thing. He could have been another Tuk Tuk driver giving his friend a good deal. Nonetheless, the driver from yesterday was great and I didn't end up paying him - I think the complementary bottle of water did it ;)
So, anyway. I went with the Tuk Tuk driver to the toursit office and Thai factory for 15-30 mins each. I then went to MBK and marvelled at the size of this shopping mall. It was huuuuge. There were floors dedicated to products and services (e.g. mobile phones, DVDs, electronics, clothing, video games arcade, Cinema, music, etc). There were thousands of Thais and quite a few tourists too, as it is a reknowned shopping mall. Didn't buy anything although I was tempted by a Lord Of The Rings Extended Edition DVD 12-disc box set for less than 20 quid. Plus, it apparently works in regions 1-3 (salesperson showed me logo to confirm). He played it on the TV and the quality was superb. Didn't go for it purely because it would have taken up too much space in my luggage.
I then went to the restaurant on the 5th floor that my hairdresser recommended. It was revolutionary! You go in and they give you a card like an Oyster card (except it's white). You then browse different desks (like perfume desks in department stores) where they're cooking and serving different cuisine. At the top of the desk, it says the type of cuisine. I walked around and saw Vietnamese, Japanse, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, Dessert and Beverages desks. They have placards with menus at each desk and you choose what you want. They also have sample dishes from the menu behind some glass. I went for a Vietnamese chicken curry with lemongrass, Thai spring rolls and an Orangina. You simlpy go to the desk where you want something, say what you want, they take your card and swipe it on their machine thingymajiggy and they then give you back your card and tell you when to come back for the food (no more than 5 minutes). You then take all your food (first dish is put on a tray so that the rest are placed on there too) and eat it. It wasn't great food, to be honest. I wish I'd gone for something else. The real shame is that I don't think I'll go back there because it is quite a drive, packed with people, and I think I'd be too tempted to buy something!
Once you've finished your meal, you go by a cashier who swipes your card and keeps it, and you pay your money. Sorted.

After that, I went looking to take the Sky Train in Bangkok- a fairly new, clean and very fast form of travel. Unfortunate it only covers a small section of town.
I found it but the queue for tickets was long. Plus, it was late and I needed to get back to my hotel for the group tour meeting. I thought, 'hmmm...how do I avoid all the traffic of rush hour?'. The answer - MOTORCYLE TAXI! Wooooooooo!!!! I love those things. So fast, such a rush, the wind blowing in your face on a boiling day - doesn't get any better. Of course, it's a bit crazy, but that's the fun of it. At points, I've been on the back of a motorcyle as the driver was in a lane AGAINST oncoming traffic. Insane. I almost couldn't keep my eyes open as the driver swerved around cars, buses, Tuk Tuks and other motorbikes.

I got back to my hotel safe and sound. I then met up with the group. The leader a young Kiwi lady - Vic/Victoria. The group being 4 other English blokes and one Irish lass. I have to admit, it was comforting after only 3 days alone in Bangkok to speak to somone with English as a first language, as you don't have a doubt about whether they understand what you're saying!
The age range of the group went from 18 to 34 - yes, there's someone younger than me! He's still going through the stage of learning his alcohol limits - quite the hilarious chap. After eating some dinner with the group (best I've had so far - chicken with Soy bean sauce, vegetables and noodles), we had a drink at one of the top ten bars in the world. Funnily enough, it didn't even have a shop. It was a stall! I had 3 cocktails. We met up there with a few other tour guides (friends of my group leader). Then, we met up with friends of a couple of my group members (as they'd been on a previous tour of Northen Thailand with them). We had a few drinks at a Blues bar as we watched the Manu game (4-1, get in! They love footy over here and love Manu. They clapped and shouted as Manu's chances came, went and turned into goals. Atmosphere was electric). After, we moved onto another bar and watched the first half of the Chelsea game. Had Thai Whisky and Coke there. Bit strong but I managed. The 18 year old (John) was out like a light. Me and Matt (friend from the previous group tour) took John home. I also hit the sack after drinking some water to detox and staying up until about 0230.

That night I got two random calls from my Brazillian mate. Don't know how he managed to get me in Thailand but guess he knows. A few hours later and my alarm went off at 0730. I turned it off thinkin - I'll wake up in a couple hours (no free breakfast this morning). I then got a call on my hotel phone which, for some reason, I, half-asleep, decided to walk around my bed to pick up even though it was on my bed-side table. It cut off as I picked up. Did the job at wakin me up though! I needed to check out of the hotel by 1200. I looked at my mobile (my watch has died after 4 days) and saw the time as 1147. S**T!!!! Without a chance to freshen up, I packed all my things in my bag and rushed out the room as quick as humanly possible. I then met a few of my group member's friends (Matt, Lucy and Lizzie) before also seeing Fiona (Irish lass from my tour) in the hotel lobby. I dropped my stuff there after checking out and paying for some laundry, and we all went to grab some food. As it was past 1200, it was brunch. So, I went for chicken and egg noodles. Think some lettuce was there too. Had a cool drink of Sprite and I was sorted. Still pretty full now.

It's 1440 now and I have just over an hour before I need to meet up at the hotel lobby to catch the train. We're going to be taking a 12-hur overnight train to Krabi (a southern province of Thailand). Apparently ATMs are few and far-between. So, I'm gonna fill up on snacks, water and money before I meet up. Might also take a walk down the market for some souvenirs and some happy haggling.
As I am going to be starting my organised tour now, I may not get as much time to go to Internet cafes as opposed to when I was doing Bangkok solo. I will try and update the blog as soon as possible though.

Oh, and guess who saw some 'Lady Boys' by the bar after dinner yesterday? Yep. Boys dressed (and quite convincingly, might I add) as girls. The Adam's Apple gives it away though. Apparently, they're quite a valued sect of society. They are accepted just as much as every other demographic group. It's a funny old world!

Okay. That's all for today. If I don't write another blog soon, I do apologise. But look at it this way, my next blog will be jam-packed with crazy stuff that has happened. I mean, it can't not be crazy - it's the Far East!

Take it easy and have fun. Peace & love.

Darryl

P.S. Still getting regularly approached my Thais talking to me in Thai as they think I am Thai! :P