Day 1:

Our body clocks are still messed up so we woke up at 5am. After a few hours on Skype to family back home, we were up, dressed and on the river taxi for 8am off to the Grand Palace.

The river taxi was interesting. The ticket cost 14baht (about 25 pence) one way and took about 15 minutes to reach the Grand Palace. At the enterance gates, there was a big sign that said that we had to dress appropriately, it seems that shorts are not appropriate and we were asked to cover up with special robes (a long skirt for me and some terrible green trousers for simon)

The palace and temples are beautiful. Simon and I are not really ones for temple visiting but this place is amazing. Everything is pretty much made out of gold and glass. It cost about 350 baht each (about £8) and we also hired an audio guide for 200 baht to understand what we were looking at. It took a few hours to get around and by the time we had finished we were very hot, tired an hungry.

We have to move hotel tomorrow and had found a couple that we wanted to look at before booking near the Khao San Road (back packer/party central) so we got in a Tuk Tuk from the Palace to the KSR. I think I am now very good at negotiating with drivers and managed to get the ride for 60 baht and specifically told him no stopping. We have heard many stories about drivers that take you to jewellery shops etc... on the way to your destination. TUK TUKs are officially my favourite mode of transport. So much so we took 3 rides today, one actually on the motorway at 70 mph, which was a little scary.

After a siesta in the afternoon, we then ventured into China Town (which was just like china, including the traffic!) and then to the PatPong night Market. The night Market was an experience. There are go go bars everywhere and everyone is trying to get you to go inside. We sat outside a bar watching groups of people being led inside, strange that no one seemed to come out. I wanted to go inside and see the show but Simon was not so sure. He couldnt believe that it was free to get in with no catch. It turns out Simon was right. We were talking to someone last night who went in with a group of his mates and he had the bat. He was charged for every ball that he hit back to the girl that 'shot it' towards him. His bill at the end was hundreds of dollars and they even locked the doors until he had paid.

A great first day all in all. Looking forwrd to the weeks and months ahead x