Days 3, 4 and 5

(Michelle)

Today we decided to go around the main temple area, and made Wat Arun our first stop. It was very colourful and provided good views of the city, but the climb to the top would not have met mama C's safety requirements. After we decided to go the Grand Palace to see the Emerald Buddha, but at the entrance we were told we needed to dress more appropriately, as our 3-quarter length trousers were not long enough Hence why in our pictures I look like I'm wearing a sack, and Jamie pyjama bottoms! On the whole though we thought the Grand Palace was pretty spectacular, and well worth the visit- never seen so much gold in one place!

In the afternoon we managed to pick our Vietnam visa up, and then caught the sky train back to the hotel. The trains were a great way to get around and quite easy to use (much easier than the Paris metro anyway). We found it funny how there were queue lines for each train door, and how everyone was very calm getting on the train (don't think they would survive this way on the London Underground). Had a meal by the riverside was an experience, as hadn't seen a bug up till then but that soon changed, and left Jamie with two bites (which he claims look like hes been mauled by a small dog rather than a mozzie ).

For our final day in Bangkok we caught the skytrain to Chatuchak weekend market, which, let's just say put Brownhill's market to shame (it was enormous!). We coped with the heat by drinking coconut juice straight from the nut and eating coconut icecream with peanut sprinkles, was yummy! Also had a pad thai that was as good as my favourite one from Selfridges but without the expense. Sad to leave the Bangkok loft inn, it was all that we hoped for in our first few nights, but we think three days in Bangkok was plenty.

We took the overnight train to Chiang Mai, and we managed to get 2nd class upper bunks opposite each other. I was a bit worried about how safe our bags would be on the train but when we got on everyone around us were quite chatty and friendly, which put me more at ease. The journey was smoother than I thought it would be but I didn't sleep brilliantly, and it took over 12 hours to reach Chiang Mai. Jamie however slept well after his 'KFC comfort eat' in the train station.

We got to Chiang Mai really early and headed to our guest house (Trigong Residence). The location is good and our room is quite big and clean, if not as new as the Bangkok loft. After unpacking we headed out for breakfast/lunch, and to check out the local surroundings. We could already tell that Chiang Mai was more tourist friendly than the area we stayed in Bangkok, and found it to be alot less manic. After a short nap we went to check out the Sunday market, and have some dinner. We were a bit surprised when everyone froze, like something out of the 'Trueman Show', but it was due to the announcement that the National Anthem was about to be played. We found a small restaurant just outside the market, and had one of the nicest meals ever for under £2.50 each. All in all, it has been a positive first day in Chiang Mai.

Update you all soon lots of love xxxx