7/6/09: WE arrived in Bangkok about 5am! It was still dark! We were dropped at bus stop and got taxi to hostel. But we couldnt check-in til 1pm and couldnt even get in to leave our bags until 8am! So we walked along the street and found a 24hours MacDonalds where we got breakfast and tried to lurk for as long as possible. Then when we looked suspicious. We walked around aimlessly for a bit longer then ended up sitting on the hostel doorstep for the last hour!! Saw a respectable looking woman pull down her pants and go for a crap on the other side of the street!? Finally allowed to put bags in storage. We then went to nearby train station and got train to the outskirts where on the weekend they have Bangkoks biggest market- it was huge- they give you maps to help get around!! Didnt buy much but walked around for ages. Very hot and very tired! We got a tuk-tuk back to the hostel and was allowed to check in at about 12!! Room is very very basic. Gonna get an hours kip then head off to explore the centre. Vic: the pooping lady wiped using leaves and I dont think anyone else saw or they certainly didnt take much notice but it was early so not many people about. I dont think its the norm and we dont have to do this but the state of all the toilets in Thailand havent been a lot better! We dozed for an hour or two in hostel then headed out to explore- got the skytrain to the main shopping centres- the mall was huge!! We looked around but didnt buy anything cos it seemed really expensive compared to the stalls! But they were having a huge scrabble tournament- with loads of tables set up and then a big game on a big board up the front. I really wanted to join in but it was coming to an end. We watched for a while. Then we walked along the nearby streets which are just lined with markets selling all sorts of crap!! We saw an elephant walking along the street!? We went back to shopping centre and I went to salad bar to get some tea. Then we got sky train back and lil alex went MacDonalds again!! We had a chilled night planning our last few days then crashed. We were woken about 12 by someone trying to get in room- they were fiddling with key and banging door and shouting and just as lil alex was goin to see what was going on they were told that it wasnt their room and they were in 44 not 32!??

8/6/09: We got up about 9. Had showers then headed out- got skytrain to the pier- when we were at the pier stop I got pulled over by the train guard- I thought he was gonna search me but he made a pregnant gesture and pointed for me to go through a gate rather than the barriers. HE THOUGHT I WAS PREGNANT!!! This really does call for a diet when I get home! Haha!! Anyway, we brought an all day river cruise pass for 3 quid and the first stop was ChinaTown which was full of tiny lanes with hundreds of stalls. It was a bit of a squeeze but interesting to walk through. Then we went back on boat to the Temple of Dawn- we walked around- all very grand, ornate temples. Loads of monks everywhere- some of them are only kids. We grabbed something to eat from the most respectable place we could find. Then we went to Wat Pho which is another religious place with a big temple with a huge gold Buddha lying down in. We walked around there, but to be honest the whole temples and religious thing is not really interesting me that much. We then got the boat back to where we started- we have got lots more stops to do on the boat trip so will probably do it again tomorrow. We got the skytrain from where we got off boat to another shopping area. We went around the shops for a while then I went for a foot massage- very nice and relaxing- they did ask when I went in if I wanted a male or female masseuse??!!!?? I said it didnt matter but it did make me wander what kind of establishment it really was. There are not as many massage places here- I think a lot are down back streets! Then I met with lil alex again- the streets are always so busy with people and the roads crammed with cars- mainly taxis and tuk-tuks. We pushed our way through to the red light district and went to a mexican place where we had a drink and a snack for tea. There was a really drunk american in there making a total fool of himself but it was quite amusing to watch. Then we went to Patpong night market. Got a couple of bits. As we walked along the edge there was 100's of bars and through the open doors you could see women in bikinis dancing on tables and around poles. Lots of men approached both me and lil alex showing us timetables for the 'performances' in their bars- for example: the famous ping-pong show! We declined and finished walking around market before heading back to chill for an hour before bed. We went on internet today and booked accomodation for our last two nights in Bangkok- guess where we are staying????? The Hilton on the river!! We have booked a king executive room for the last two nights!! It will be luxury and a great finish. It did cost 190 quid but that is only 95quid each for two nights.

9/6/09: We got up and had showers then headed out. We got Macdonalds for breakfast. Then got the skytrain to the pier and got the boat to the Grand Palace. It was amazing- there are 100's of temples all decorated really ornately with tiny gold and mirrored tiles, and all sorts of statues. Then there is the giant grand palace itself which is pretty impressive. Plus a weapons museum and various other bits and pieces. We got the boat to Bangkoks biggest flower market and memorial bridge but not much there. We got the boat back to the starting pier and got skytrain to main shopping area- lil alex managed to find a football magazine that he has been searching for for the last month so that made him happy. If anyone wants me to bring them anything back please let me know asap cos not long now!! We had some dinner in a mexican- lil alex ended up with two mains and so suffered in the evening!! We then walked around some of the stalls- I got myself some short dungarees!! We made our way back to our hostel and chilled for a couple of hours before heading out to the red light area again. We went around the market and I was in a mood for spending so bought a few bits- there was a suspicious amount of 'deaf' stall holders!! After shopping we went to an Irish pub and I had a Magners!! Lovely! The area got more lively and more seedy as the evening got later!

10/6/09: We got up at 8. We Macdonalds for breakfast then come back to hostel and packed. We checked out at 11 and got taxi to the Hilton. It got scanned for bombs as we went through the gates up to the hotel. Then a porter opened our door and another one took our bags. A woman met us and took us to the desk where they checked us in. They told us we had been upgraded to a king executive suite as customers of the day, which includes use of the club lounge and a free bath thing for me. The woman showed us to our room- we were trying not to look really excited!! It has a lounge with a huge flatscreen cable tv, an office, two bathrooms- one with a jacuzzi bath, bath robes, slippers. A huge bed with another tv. A minibar. Plus there are great views out over the river and city! The porter knocked shortly afterwards with our bags- we are not used to this life so dont know who to tip and what a club lounge is?! We chilled for a while- exploring all the luxurious details. Then we went down and got the complimentary boat down the river to the skytrain station where we got the train to a big shopping area- although we can afford to stay at the Hilton we cant afford to eat there or have any massages there, etc. We walked aorund some of the shops and had dinner in a pizza place. Then I went and had a foot massage- very nice!! Then we went to supermarket to get some supplies for the room cos the minibar is a ridiculous price!! We got train back and then the boat across the river to the hotel. We chilled then I got changed and went down for a sauna and steam room and proper jacuzzi!! Come back and they had been in the room and delivered a basket of fruit and left us some little bits on the bed, etc. Wow!! Had a jacuzzi bath! They have 3 showers, incl. a rain shower and a bath!? Madness!! We had amazing views over the city at night- it was brightly lit with all the sky scrapers and boats, etc. Then I went to the huge bed with ridiculously large pillows and read before crashing!

11/6/09: Happy Birthday Smell!!!! 21!! How scary!! Good luck with your results!! I am sure you have done great and look forward to celebrating!! We got up about 9 and went for breakfast- I have never seen such a huge buffet with so much choice!! Lil alex was amazed by what I ate! We sat out on the deck overlooking the river and ate- I had all cooked stuff, fruit, yoghurt, toast with jam and cheese, plus they had indian stuff (who has rice or sushi for breakfast?). We went back to room and got ready then got boat across river where we got all-day boat pass and went up to the National musuem for a last bit of culture!! It was quite interesting learning about the history, etc. Then we got the boat back and got a train to a shopping area where I have just had a manicure!! I will be sad to say goodbye to the treatments!! The plan for the rest of today is to go back and chill then go out for some dinner and head to the red light area later for a last look in the market, etc! Then tomorrow we dont fly til after midnight- the hotel has given us a late check-out of 2pm and then they have a luggage storage area. Might be chance to fit in one last massage!! So this is probably the last blog from Alex and Alex's Great Adventures! I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much I have enjoyed writing them!! Lil alex has put on some of the last photos!! Look forward to seeing you all soon!!