Thailand

Okay, we we're bad, I know that. We were supposed to write this in KL airport on the way back from Thailand to India (on route back home), but it was an all-night transfer so we were to tired. Then we were too busy, too forgetful and too busy again, but the trip needs rounding off.

We flew from Hanoi to Thailand (again, overnight in KL), and were very impressed with Bangkoks new airport (for e.g. at the immigration desk there was a nifty little face finding camera that snaps photos of you as you approach the desk). We then took a bus to Khao-San Road. This is the tourist centre of Bangkok complete with blackpool lights, shops selling everything, lying rip-off tuk tuk drivers and pop-up night bars were you drink cocktails out of a bucket. Out hotel was located just off Khao San road, so we did a bit of exploring the first night before hitting the sack.

The next day we took a river taxi out of old bangkok to the new, and found ourselves in shoppers paradise. You could walk around 5 massive shopping malls without your feet ever having to touch the pavement. There were lots of car showrooms (for Rory) and cinemas (for me). As usual we ended up in the cinema, but this one had a twist- at the beggining of the film the national anthem played accompanied with a short film showing the king in his glory days and you have to stand with your hands at your side and watch respectfully- they love their king out there.

We headed back to old bangkok in the evening to meet up with Rory's friend from Devon Pippa, and her friend Bex. They were just starting there 3 month tour as we were finishing ours. We all went out for a welcome dinner of Thai curry and a couple of Thai beers. Then some mohjitos in a blues bar. Then a couple of those infamous buckets. Then a few more beers and buckets. Then some rum and coke (a bottle of rum there costs £1.50). Then we sampled Khoa San Clubs, then had more rum and coke. I blame Pippa and Bex.

The next day we explored the Grand Palace and the emerald Buddah (with a bit of a hangover). The palace was beautiful, there was so much gold and detail in every statue, roof, nook and cranny. The gardens were beautiful and we even stubled across some rooms were every inch of the walls and roof were hand painted in a detail that must have taken ages to paint. We went on to explore some temples and found the worlds longest reclining Buddah.

The next day (I think, it has been a long time) we took a bus to Kanchanaburi