My my my! Bangkok is hot Hot HOT!! I have had a truely fantastic couple of days, despite the stifling heat! I have managed to survive ducking into airconned shops and info centres! And of course, in good old fashioned Frodsham style I have done a wee bit of effective trapsing in the mid-day sun! The stray (slightly rabbid) dogs are certinally ensuring I quicken my step around the streets when my pace slackens! But, the ginger child is doing well- no sunburn so far! The mosquetos however are certinally enjoying a bit of the white meat!

7th July - Bangkok

My hostel is in the Silom district, really lively place and met some great people.

So, to start I ventured into the streets of Bangkok and successfully hunted down a cash point and the BTS Skyrail (I think of IBM every time I step onto it!) . I made my way up to Siam to be hit with a hugly commercial shopping mall! I made a quick exit having acquainted myself with some super large rubber ducks which were all over a courtyard!

I saw some Thai art in the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre before moving on to Jim Thompson's house. Jim Thompson was an Amercian that moved to Bangkok having fallen in love with Thailand when he was positioned here during the war. He made the silk industry what it is today. The house was truely beautiful with a garden he described as a Jungle. I stopped for lunch here and had the most incredible flat wide noodles with chicken in a yummy sause with greens!

Before hedding home I visted another Art Gallery in a converted old school house. It had art from some young Thai students who were influenced by the recent disrupt in Bangkok; some of the work was really moving.

I went for dinner in a local resturant with the girls from my dorm before hedding down to the Night market. It was very much the epi-centre of the red light district! Ping Pong shows comming at you from all angles and various offers of 'sexual treats' we shimmied on in between the stall and managed to get some barganious ray bans... real of course.


8th July - Bangkok

After a delightful continental breakfast and strong coffee at the hotel I jumped back on the BTS Sky Rail to the river. I hopped on an orange boat and powered up the river ejoying the wind in my face and the sceneary. I then had a good relax in a local information office! Found out plenty of info for when Lucy and Sam join me here, so that should all flow like I'm a local! Infact, a local told me he though I lived here, apparently I dress like the thai women! I then took my first tuktuk ride to The Giant Wing and Golden Mountain. The swing was pretty much a swing frame, but it certinally was giant!

Walking up the long drive to the golden mountain was beautiful, monks walking all around and such ornate buildings lined each side of the road. I powered my way up right to the top - all 450 odd steps! Was beautiful inside, the budda statues looked as though they were made from gold leaf. All very impressive. Having made it too the roof and being scorched by the sun (was much closer to it up there!) I relaxed with an ice lolly looking over Bangkok from high.

The 2nd Tuktuk ride of the day took me to the city's main train station. From here I followed one of the Lonely Planet's suggested walks through China Town. Having stumbled upon more impressive and bigger temples I was blown away! I was going down some of the real backstreets, one shop was selling dried sea-hororses! God knows what for!

I couldn't find the reccomended cafe, the oldest in Bangkok, but I did find one place filled with locals. Here I had a tasty meal and my first cup of delicious Chai - I welcomed it back into my life! The locals were so friendly here, one old man spoke quite good english and he helped me order, sat with my while I ate and we chatted about life and travels. Was incredible. I left after a group photo with the locals waving - highlight of the trip so far.

Tonight I am off out for dinner with the girls from the hostel again, then it will have to be an early night as I need to leave around 3am for my flight to Hanoi.... simply can't hold in the excitement!