We arrived in Bangkok at three in the afternoon shattered we decided to get a taxi,the traffic was horrendeous but we passed the time 'speaking' to the driver.Martin asked him to teach us a few phrases, asking how to say 'toilet' raised a smile.The hotel checked us in quickly and room was clean, happy days! We headed out into Bangkok and took the BTS (Skytrain) to Siam, an area with lots of shopping malls, the food court was amazing - i haven't seen so much choice in one place! Later we browsed the hawker stalls in Siam Square before stumbling upon the Hard Rock, had to go in for a cocktail! A band had just started it was good but the song choices were varied from Linkin park to Katy Perry. Not wanting to miss the last BTS we headed back for some much needed kip!

Although we were still tired we managed to make it down for breakfast, strange assortment of food. Cereal, salad, rice, soup etc! I decided to let my stomach settle in and opted for some coco pops. Martino wasn't much braver with his toast and egg but he did have to go outside to collect the egg, not sure why the cart is outside. Headed out to Chinatown via the BTS and metro, getting there was an adventure.The traffic is crazy and with no traffic lights and four lanes plus tuktuk's and motorbikes, you need to be brave.The area is not great, signs everyone to look out for pickpockets but the atmosphere is so good.Walking through the stalls, we were hit with so many smells they range from delicious to giving Martin 'the boke'. We stopped for dumplings, yum! The real deal! Later we ate in a place that had been recommended in the guide book, its famous for lack of tables. We sat in the street with the locals and had bowls of curry, can't believe we found it! It didn't even have a sign up, lucky there were good directions.Asking directions we got talking to a man who claimed to be a teacher, he gave some advice on popular scams and times to visit the attractions. He also advised us to book our buses before travelling onwards and recommended a place. We took the details and headed back to the BTS.We weren't sure whether to find the place so asked a policeman he gave us directions so we decided to try.We walked a lot before getting a short tuk tuk ride, our first and what an experience! It's so busy, glad I'm not driving.When we arrived at the IBO, we noticed it was a booking office. Inside we asked for bus and ferry info but the prices quoted were so expensive! Typical tout pretending to be tourist info, we just told him we didn't have enough cash on us and would come back..... no chance!We booked tickets to see the famous ladyboyshow'calypso cabaret', it was in the asia hotel which was lovely but very expensive.The show was a bit mad as you can imagine and the bad miming and random song choices just added to it! After the show we decided it was about time for an irish bar and went to molly malones. The staff were playing pool and Martin asked if he could play, winner stays on so he had a few games with a nice thai man who we comunicated with through gesturing.After a busy day we took a tuktuk back to the hotel , our third so far getting used to this mode of transport!

Today we are sightsighting, taking the chao praya express that's the tourist boat up the river to see Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.As we were looking for the entrance a man approached us and told us you had to go in before 11am (it was half 11) because the monks were in!Heard of this scam so many times so walked round and found the entrance to Wat Pho, where there is the biggest buddha ever, it's known as the reclining buddha and is really impressive.The grounds are lovely too, took loads of pics. Next we headed to the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Amazing! The emerald buddha is really small but the temple is huge, all the buildings are fantastic, we didn't take a tour just wandered around oursleves. The Grand Palace is really something to see! It was a scorcher so back before our for dinner and to Patpong market. The market was really busy, lots of tourists, girlie bars and constant offers of 'ping pong' shows! We had a good few drinks and took in the atmopshere, a great night!

Shattered after last night's excitement we had a long lie before trying out the infinity pool on the roof, it was just us and was so nice having a swim and relaxing on a lounger, today we stayed local and found a market, no other tourists so really authentic. Yesterday we got soaked so we learned that when the stall holders start covering up its time for us to do the same! We ran through the streets to find a shelter,Martin got some good videos of the downpour but the heavy rain only last a few minutes. We got changed and headed out to the Sirocco Skybar, on the way we stopped at a 'restaurant' a few plastic tables and chairs and lots of locals munching, there was no menu so pointed and got ourselves two plates of chicken and rice with spicy sauce, it was delicious! And at just over a pound including our cokes it was definately a real find. The Skybar is where they filmed part of hangover 2. Wow! It was incredible, the view breathtaking! The prices also breathtaking but really worth it for the experience.We headed back to the patpong area for a few drinks, played pool and Martin tried his best to teach me much to the amusement of the waiters who also started giving me lessons before every shot. Talk about under pressure, haha! They were well meaning though and clapped when i potted which wasn't very often! Back to pack up for leaving Bangkok tomorrow, we have loved it here.