12th to 16th March

Our next train journey started on Wednesday 12th arriving in Bangkok at 10 am on Thursday 13th. The Thai trains seemed more efficient and comfortable than the Malaysian trains and we had berths for this journey. We were able to order dinner and breakfast on the train and it was brought on board at one of the stations, as well as this there were people hopping on the train to sell all sorts of food. This was an enjoyable way to travel through Malaysian and South Thailand - we passed through interesting countryside and many, many rice paddy fields. We had difficulty finding our hotel in Bangkok due to conflicting advise given and finally arrived feeling VERY hot and frustrated! It didn't take long for us to relax when we found the nearby brand new air conditioned shopping mall where we were able to have a delicious lunch for less than two pounds for the two of us! On Friday morning we crossed the city to find the Laos and Cambodia embassies to get our visas. We took the Skytrain and Metro and then a minibus. The minibus is open with a canopy over it and you really get to experience this busy city alongside the local people. We returned to Siam Square which is the shopping area of Bangkok and close to our hotel for lunch before visiting Jimmy Thompson's House and Museum. Jimmy Thompson was an American who lived in Bangkok in the 50s and revived the handweaving of silk cottage industry, bringing Thai silk to the rest of the world. He built the authentic Thai house using dismantled houses over 200 years old. The house is now a museum containing his collection of furniture, porcelain and artwork. It is right by one of the many canals which criss cross Bangkok and are buzzing with water taxis which are used by the local people as another means of getting about the city. We ended the day with a Thai massage, which I'm sure was beneficial though quite painful at the time! We join our organised tour on Saturday evening, visiting the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha on Sunday before taking the night train to Chiang Mai. We have to go now before we go completely deaf - we are surrounded by about 20 children playing the noisiest and most violent computer games ever!