A bit of a mixed day today. Last night we had a lovely evening. Like a good boy I had worn long trousers, a full shirt and closed shoes to avoid mosquitos. Unfortunately I didnt wear sock so I had bare ankles. As I was eating, the mossies were treating my ankles as an eat all you can buffet. Jill was in a party frock...big mistake.

I woke up this morning and my ankles were swollen and red. Still a day walking in the Bangkok heat should sort that. We started with a civilised coffee in the hotel coffee shop. Then out of the air con and into dust, dirt, heat, crowds and smells.

We had decided to visit the Bangkok forensic science museum. Im not sure Jill wanted to but I am fascinated by it......Love is looking at dead things 'cos he likes it.

A jaunt on the ferry followed by a walk through the street market and into the hospital complex. As we walked through the market the smells of food were making me salivate. I kept looking and thinking could I eat what they are cooking. Basically we are in the shadow of a hospital and doctors and nurses are eating food cooked in the most unhygenic of places but it smelt amazing. Some of the food is obvious but some is not. Something deep fried, but what is it?

Anyway, not time for lunch yet. Into the museum. It was in three parts. Clinical showing you cancers, foetuses etc. Then forensic where they had preserved bodies of serial killers, crash victims and executed murderers. Amazing. Lastly parisitic infections. Jill seemed to cope ok with decapitated bodies and gun shot wounds. However seeing a picture of a guy with a bundle of foot long worms like a plate of spaghetti being extracted from his anus was too much !!!!!

Time for lunch. We had looked at the street vendors and were unsure about eating from them. Still, in for a penny eh. We went for an omelette and rice. The lady cooked it in the wok while her dirty scabby dog looked on. We sat on two plastic chairs and ate from half a polystyrene box. It was yummy. We felt like locals.

We walked around various neighbourhoods. Every time you got a map out a helpful local would show you where you were, ask how you were enjoying Bangkok then try to sell you an hour in his brothers tuk tuk. You cant blame them for trying.

After a hot, sticky and tiring day we caught the ferry back to the hotel. We love the atmosphere of the city but a luxurious, air conditioned hotel room is soooooooo nice.

Dinner this evening was in a small restaurant near the hotel. The menu had such delicacies as boiled snake head to savour. We've got the hang of eating out now. Order lots of different things. Dont worry that some are shown as mains and some as starters...they wont arrive in any order, just as and when chef feels like cooking them.

Im writing this in the room with my feet elevated and ice packs on my ankles. Both are swollen, with red bite marks and blisters like see through jelly beans. Happy days. Ive shaken off my cold and now cant walk. Welcome to Asia.

Tomorrrow we leave the Hilton and meet up with the crew we are trekking Cambodia and Vietnam with. Cant wait....assuming my feet havent dropped off in the night.