So I arrive at Bangkok airport feeling totally confused about where I am going and what I am doing, but follow the crowd (until I see the smoking room and stop for a nerve calming cigarette). I head to immigration where I filled in the card, no idea if it was correct or not but joined the ten mile queue and hoped for the best. Immigration guy didn't even look at it stamped my passport and waved me through, I was now the proud owner of a 30 day Thai visa. Things were going far to smoothly, my bag arrived just as I got to the baggage claim and I exited through 'nothing to declare' and followed the signs to public taxis.

A short queue and before I knew it I was in the back of a taxi waving the address of the hostel at the taxi man who just kept saying 500 baht (apx £10). Off we go, not long in to the chaotic journey of being cut up by tuk tuks and mopeds with dogs riding on them as passengers, the taxi man pulls over on to the side of the motorway. I tell you now my heart skipped a beat and the first thing that came to mind was I'm not even going to make the first night, my days are numbered. Just as I started to panic and wonder what the hell was going on he got out the taxi and shut the boot, silly man had left it open. On with the journey, phew, I live to see another day.

The taxi man drops me at Khoa San Road, I recognise the place immediately, the bright lights, loud music and rammed full of ever nationality of traveller you can think of. I ask the taxi man where NapPark Hostel is he just replies "yes Khoa San", helpful... I pay and drag my bag out the taxi and start forging on the side of the road for the map I've stuffed in it. Brilliant start, it's boiling, I'm sweating, I have no idea where the hostel is and I'm stood on the side of the road thinking maybe this holiday wasn't such a good idea. Map in hand I head in to Boots and ask directions, they helpfully point me in the right way so of I head struggling with my bag and shoes that are rubbing my feet, repeating to myself, third road after Khoa San.

Third road is as hectic as Khoa San, the music is blaring, there are parties in the street and there's me struggling down it with a giant rucksack trying to dodge the already drunken travellers. I keep walking and keep walking, I'm pretty sure it's the wrong road, but sensibly keep going!!! End of the road, yep it's the wrong road, so I struggle all the way up. Basically, it was the next road. I see the sign for NapPark, a sigh if relief until I walk up the path to the entrance. There must be 20 people sitting outside, drinking and chatting as one big group and me and my back pack have to walk right through the middle. Daunting!! I get to reception, check in and get shown my room, it's a 6 bed dorm I've got a bottom bunk and actually it's pretty alright. I collapse on the bed and check in with Mum and then find the courage to go back downstairs and socialise, it took a while for me to leave that room. By the time I got down most people had disappeared off so after a quick cigarette, I head for a shower before heading to the familiar place that is Khoa San Road. I find somewhere to eat (Pad Thai) and sink two cocktails alone but quite happily watching the world go by before heading back to the hostel.

Not so many people are around so I get talking to a guy who is putting together a racing bike. This guy is from America but has been living in Australia and as you do has decided to cycle around Thailand before heading back to America. There's another guy from Leeds who is travelling alone and heading to Chaing Mai on Tuesday by plane, he arrived yesterday. Then a girl called Jo comes along she is also travelling alone, first time but for 6 months. We talk about how nervous/anxious we had felt and it felt good to know that she felt exactly the same when she arrived yesterday, she too is heading to Chaing Mai on Tuesday and I have the option of travelling with her now, yey first day and I have a travel buddy!!

It's now 2:30am and I'm exhausted so bed time, no one is back in my dorm yet is no idea who I am sharing a room with, guess I will find out soon!!