13/8/2011:

After checking in at Heathrow took myself of to the executive lounge as a last minute treat. It was great - an unlimited supply of booze and food for 18 quid, bargain!!! Stocked up the bag with cheeses, biscuits and wassabi peas.

Boarded at about 9:30 and was off on my way by 10:15. Nice to fly with Qantas as there was good in flight entertainment and complimentary drinks. Got in some required sleep as was already knackered.

14/8/2011:

Landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, at about 3pm local time. The airport itself was surprisingly magnificent. After the usual palava I walked down to the bus rank as instructed but learnt that was no busses. After being warned about taxis I decided to risk it on the train. Pulling out of the airport the country looked beautiful but the further into Bangkok I got the less the view was so encharting. The trains were new and spotless and after about 2hrs on three different trains I got to Sala Daeng train station which was a stonesthrow from my first hostel. In total the trains cost 115 Baht (which is about 2 quid).
I was quite pleased with myself that I had made it this far on my own so thought finding the hostel would be easy, oh how wrong I was! Once outside the station it was carnage. After trying to find my feet I ended up in a small street market having no idea where I was going. The locals were trying to flog me "special" dvds and hoard me into the nearest tuk tuk or taxi. After a few dazed minutes I decided just to jump in a tuk tuk and get to my hostel. The tuk tuks are an experience in themselves. The drivers throw you around, honk the horns and have red flashing lights. All the tuk tuks and taxis are quite tacky with big exhausts and red flashing lights.
The dude jumped through a few shady alleys and dragged out the journey a bit as I later learnt that I was just round the corner, good job it was only 60 Baht.
I arrived at the hostel at about 6pm and jumped straight into a cold shower as it is absolutely boiling here, the humidity is crazy. After sorting myself out I met 2 canadian guys in the hostel bar, after a few beers we went to a nearby resturant for some traditional grub. The food was great and a bargain at about 150 Baht. We spent the evening walking through the market and drinking in a few bars and on the streets. Got caught in a huge downpore at one point but is was good to cool down.
Bangkok is pretty entertaining, you cant go a minute without a local or a tuk tuk guy asking you if you want "boom boom" or to see the ping ping show (yes its exactly what you think)!

Anyways I have written way too much so am gonna go. Just to let you all know I am safe and happy! May be a little out of contact for the next 30 days but will be in touch soon.

Aaron X