Well we have made it to the first stop on our adventures... Bangkok. Landed here on Sunday after a long journey and we were both quite over whelmed by it all I think. It's a crazy, hot, busy and quite frankly, smelly place and I think I will be glad when we move south from here to the Thai Islands in a few days time. So... what have we been up to???? Well... Bangkok is extra busy at the moment due to the celebrations in honour of the King's coronation anniversary (60 years). For two days running the city has come to a complete standstill and everyone has lined the streets to catch a glimpse of him as he goes past (and literally a glimpse... but at least we can see we've seen the king!) We inadvertently joined the masses (all wearing yellow t-shirt - the king's colour) when we went for something to eat... we found ourselves about two hundred metres from the end of Khao San Road yet unable to cross for about two hours because all the streets were closed. After almost passing out from the heat and in desperate need of food we finally got to cross after the King whizzed pass... and cue a giant game of british bull dog as everyone on our side of the road wanted to get the the other... and vice versa. Very funny! We did try and catch the procession of Royal Barges along the Chao Phraya but spent most our time looking at the heads and backs of millions of yellow-clad Thais as we couldnt even get close! On Tuesday (happy birthday Tom!) we went to a flower market in the morning in Thewet. It was really interesting to see all the pretty flowers and the way of life for some Thai people - they were literally living in shabby huts by a stinking river. Makes you appreciate all we have back home... After that we got the river taxi back and while we were waiting some of the locals were feeding fish in the river... quite a sight as thousands of huge fish fought for scraps of bread. Today we had our first (and probably last) experience of a Tuk tuk (so good they named it twice!!) It was a hold-on-to-your-hat, keep all limbs inside kind of ride. Luckily we couldn't see out the front otherwise I think I would have a) been sick and b) spent the whole time praying we weren't going to be crushed as he drove down the wrong side of the road or cut up a big truck! So... he said we could pay 40 baht (about 60p) for him to take us to a temple we wanted to see and the Golden Mountain, a big Buddhist sanctuary. Too good to be true?? YES. In between stops he drove us to tailors and a jewellery shop presumably owned by his half sisters second cousins dog sitter where he expected us to spend money. We didn't... which may explain why, after telling us he would wait for us while we climed the hundreds of steps to the golden mountain... he disappeared. Stood up by a tuk tuk driver... the shame!! Funniest thing?? We hadn't paid him...! So we used the money for a taxi back to Khao San Road and then headed for the pool. Our hotel is really nice, only have one night left here before we go to a hotel further out of the city centre. It has a huge spiral staircase (provides a few daily workouts as we're on the 3rd floor), a lovely pool and a grand piano outside the coffee shop which is played most afternoons. Just remembered... there are a few people (in addition to mr tuk-tuk you for a ride and left you in the middle of bangkok) who deserve a mention... firstly... the janet street porter look and sound alike (aw for gawds sake...) who was at passport control at Heathrow. We were both a bit teary and she assured us we'd have a lovely time and that we we would have so many stories to tell on our return. We walked about three metres and feel about in fits of laughter at how ridiculously like JSP she was!! Also, the staff in the hotel coffee shop: jokes! We sat down yesterday to get a sandwich and they gave us the menus, then tried to take our order straight away. I was like, er, can we have a minute please? To which they replied yes, then just stood there grinning watching us reading the menus! It was one of those had-to-be-there moments where we just couldnt stop laughing and struggled to order our food and keep a straight face. Finally... we saw a girl (English Im afraid to say) at the top of the Golden Mountain. Right... I'm all for getting back to basics during this top (I've worn the same shorts for four days and quite frankly we both stink already...although that maybe something to do with Bangkok...) but she was ridiculous. She had the hairiest legs ever... like, dude, how much does a razor cost?! I mean, if you want to get back to nature then go visit a jungle, but don't go growing one on your legs... who knows whats lurking in there... eugh... Mum, I'm afraid to say I haven't tried Thai food yet... I'm not brave enough and have been sticking to cheese sarnies! We went to a big shopping centre yesterday (and I mean BIG - think West Quay x5) and got pizza. I ordered a small but as usual it's lasted me two days! he he! Right I'm going to sign off. Was going to try and put piccies on here but my camera isn't loading :-( boo hoo... will try again soon. Heading for Koh Pha Ngan on Friday - wooo... beaches!! Lots of love Karen xx