We're writing this blog whilst on the train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, this is an experience in itself!For 2pound each we can take the 3 hour journey, so cheap!Most trains in Thailand have a choice of class, this one has 3rd class only.It feels like we're on a train in an old war film, there are metal shutters as windows and old fashioned leather seats.The only difference is there are designated areas for Monks, don't think they had them on our old trains!!It's going relatively slow but it's loud!You'd think I'd be hating every second but actually really enjoying it!Excited to be in Thailand! :oD

Bangkok was amazing!It was good to stay in two different areas, most backpackers stay around Khao San Road (our first hostel) and I'm pretty sure they won't experience the nice, clean part of the city (our second hostel).Both Hostels were so nice, modern and very clean.Nappark, just around the corner from Khao San Road was cramped, we counted 19 beds in our dorm!Normally I would have walked right back out but with everything being white, even the beds, amazing aircon and your own private blind separating you from the next bunk bed it felt fine.Two days was definitely enough though as it was a struggle to find room to get anything out of your bag.Khao San Road is backpackers paradise!The street itself is full of backpackers, the only locals are the ones working in the clothes, food and beer stalls, in the restaurants and in the bars.You can get everything here from a fake drivers licence to a soapy massage (Dean got offered one on our first night)!The area surrounding here is pretty dirty, no wonder with so many tourists.Lots of empty beer bottles and half eaten paper plates of Pad Thai!It was great fun drinking the buckets of Thai Whisky, Coke & Red Bull but two nights was definitely enough!Our next home was Lub D in Siam Square, again the hostel was fantastic, this time we were in a nice four dorm with plenty of room.The bathrooms were amazing!We love it when you get a good shower!Siam Square is basically downtown Bangkok, you'd expect downtown to be dirty but it was spotless.Loads of shopping centres, funky little boutique shops, restaurants and the Hard Rock Cafe - you'll always find one of those!Could have spent a fortune on clothes if we weren't on a backpackers budget, boo hoo!!! ;o)

Our five days in Bangkok were pretty busy.You've got to cram in as much as possible!Our first time travelling on Bangkok's roads (apart from the bus from the airport) was by Tuk Tuk.The driver managed to squeeze 3 of us in, Dean, Me & Victoria plus 6 backpacks/rucksacks, impressive!!We did try to get a taxi to our Hostel but seeing fresh meat the taxi drivers tried to rip us off and refused to meet on the metre.200baht to take us around the corner, I don't think so!We didn't even pay this for a 25 minute journey when we moved Hostels!

Our first whole day, Sunday, took us to the Weekend Market, it was huge and hot!We both had the nicest chicken kebab for lunch, don't think I've ever been impressed by a chicken kebab but this one was good!We were really lucky as Sunday was Loy Krathong festival, now we're still not sure what exactly was being celebrated but it was a fantastic night!Our Hostel arranged for everyone to celebrate together, at the river, where all the celebrations were happening.We were given a flower/candle basket like arrangement and everyone walked, precession like, to the river.The arrangements were lit and placed into the river to float off into the distance.A lot of the Thai children were dressed up in traditional Thai clothing and there were huge, brightly coloured boats in the river, it was beautiful.The area was packed full of people!From there it was onto Khao San Road to get our first experience of cocktail buckets!Thai Whisky, Coke and Red Bull, doesn't sound too nice but they were tasty!Nothing like experiencing some local culture then behaving like typical tourists!!

We visited the Grand Place & the two temples, Wat Pho and Temple of Dawn.Wow, the buildings are out of this world!The Grand Palace is absolutely huge, every building sparkles in the sun.It was such an amazing site to see.As you can imagine it's mega busy, there are people everywhere!It's all pretty hectic apart from the building that houses the Emerald Buddah, it felt so peaceful even though the majority of people there were tourists rather than Thai's praying.After visiting the busyness of the Palace walking around Wat Pho and the Temple of Dawn felt calm & relaxing.There were still lots of tourists but nobody seemed as though they were in a rush to see everything.I loved being there!Wat Pho houses the largest Reclining Buddah in the world, it is huge!!Neither of us were expecting it to be so big, Dean looked tiny next to the Buddah's massive, mother of pearl, feet!We were out for 7 hours that day, either walking, or catching another river taxi, if we'd driven to all three places we would have probably been out for 14 hours with how busy the traffic is in Bangkok!

We had a surprise visit from Tom, a guy from Holland we'd met in Singapore.He had a few hours to kill before he flew to Hong Kong so we had a few Changs and had some tea in a Thai restaurant in Siam Square.We even managed to squeeze in a Mojito in the Hard Rock Cafe.Was good to catch up with someone we'd met on our first stop a month and a half ago!

It seems like we were pretty lucky whilst in Bangkok as there were loads of things going on!On our last night there was a Muay Thai fight night outside of the MBK shopping centre - directly across the road from us.We had intended to pay to go to one of the stadiums but these fights were free - bonus!

Got to say Bangkok is definitely my favourite major city so far.Apart from one guy shoving me cause he couldn't get passed my backpack, everyone has been really friendly.After visiting the Weekend Market the bus dropped us off supposedly on Khao San Road.....it definitely wasn't Khao San Road!We asked a decent looking guy (nice clothes, nice car, middle aged) for directions and he gave us a lift!

Thailand so far is definitely living up to our expectations.It's also a bonus that everyone seems to be able to see and have all of their limbs!In Malaysia every second person seemed to be blind, have no arms/legs or be some other way deformed!Kind of worrying!!!

Lots of Love

Chelle & Deanxxx