Well I'm in Bangkok! Leaving Cambodia I got the bus and there were only 2 other people on it and soon found out why - I think its the bumpiest road in the world - so bad that the bus drove half on and half off it, as the dirt track to the side was smoother! I'm currently staying in a tiny room in a place called 'mini house' called Soi Rambutri, which is just off the Khao San road. It costs 150 baht (a Jack Daniels costs 1400bt). The road I'm on is really laid back, with a good atmosphere. I've been out and about in Bangkok, going to the Royal Palace and the massive reclining Buddha. Spent my 1st night out on the Khao San and its pretty mad - bars, clubs, stalls selling food, dogdy CDs, clothes and all sorts. Ended up in an Irish pub with live music and just settled in for the night.

21st Dec, While I was having breakfast, I bumped in to Di Brake( who I knknow from back home), who's here with a few friends and caught up exchanging a few stories. She and her mates are heading for Ko pha Ngan, home of the full moon parties. I was invited to spend Christmas with them and most of the other people I've met are all heading south for Xmas. Arranged to meet up later. I've been reading 'The Beach', so spent most of the afternoon lazing in one of the street cafes and meeting various people who were all saying how they were setting off for a beach Christmas - so I decided that I'd head North! So I headed off to a travel agent and booked a bus to go to Chiang Mai