We spent our first afternoon in Bangkok checking out the Grand Palace and wondering around the city. We took a few rides on the sky train which travels above the city to escape the busy streets. There is a big mix of nice sky scrapers and then small, poor shacks right beside, which is unusual for a capital city.

We're going to have a little moan here, due to a recent change in Thai tourist visas! Since forever all EU countries get a free 30 day visa on arrival, but one month before we wonder in, they change it. The info for any travelers is if you cross by land you get 15 days and if you fly in you still get 30!?

So while in Bangkok we got up in the morning to go to the Thai Embassy and buy a tourist visa for 30 days so our trip with Emma and Pip wasn't cut short. The embassy wants 40 pounds for 7 days, which we thought was ridiculous. So we came up with a slightly crazy plan and have booked a flight to Malaysia return in order to get the 30 days we wanted!?

Andy and Katie arrived and stayed in the same hotel, so we got caught up over a few beers and then went and met Emma and Pip. For those who are concerned Andy and Katie are fine, they've had a few narrow scrapes and after 12 months travelling are on their home leg via Israel (to met Mark who was in our Optom year). Emma and Pip made it safely here and even managed to complete Kim's shopping list from home and some Cadbury's for moi!!