The start of the 29 day tour - thailand - Bangkok, Chiang Mai.

Hello everyone!

I recovered from New Year's Eve and had my first 2 days completely on my own, which was a little odd but okay. On New Year's Day I took myself off to the Siam Centre which has the most amazing shopping centre over about 4 floors - such amazing decor! Much of the same shops we get at home. Then across the road is MBK which I came across whilst lost ! I have never seen so many stalls selling fakes, and yes before anyone asked I did indeed buy myself a new handbag! I was totally astounded by the sheer volume of fake stuff you can get out here.

The next day I took myself and my skates off to lumphini park after lots of bartering with the tuk tuk and taxi drivers. Such a lovely park, cyclists and skaters are only allowed from 10-3. Managed to do 3 laps and then had to give up as the heat was getting too much. I was amazed at how green the park was, until I came across the garden team who were in a huge tanker that had a fire hose that was covering everything in water - I have to admit I was very tempted to jump in front of it as I was soooooo hot! Next stop was the airport to safely deposit my skates until I head to the islands.

On the 3rd jan I headed over to china town to meet my group who I will be touring thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia with, there's 12 of us in the group - a good mix of ages and a lovely bunch of people. We have so far visited the reclining bhuuda, been on the Chao Praha river in Bangkok which was incredible choppy and I got soaked! Two of us also ended up in thai nightclub with a live band, such a funny night, the people in the club were loving the music, I not sure what sort of music it was, but it was getting everyone on the tables dancing - it was brilliant ( the hangover the next day not so great though) Once in Chiang Mai we went exlporing the town, and had a amazing time at a cookery class, I have now mastered green curry, pad thai, coconut chicken soup and spring rolls- I would thoroughly recommend a cooking class.

The next part of the trip is 2 x 8hr boat trips down the Mekong river...the scenery is something else, just stunning. Quite possibly one of the most amazing places I've been to. The laos food is lovely too. As we approached the boat for the 2nd part of our journey down the Mekong we see two elephants having a drink, what a perfect start to the day......

I have to say this trip is best decision I ever made, I'm having an amazing time so far, I do miss everyone though :)

Another update soon to follow (wifi dependent!)

Lou x