Arriving in Thailand was an experience all in it self! Songkran festival was in full swing so there was people everywhere. The main roads were busy or closed and masses of people stood around with water pistols and paint filled hands. The taxi driver took as close as possible to the hostel, this turned out to be not very close at all. We walked through the thousands of people with our rucksacks and suitcase, itwas like walking through a battle field, everywhere you turned there was a different person with a supersoaker or some paint. No harm is meant at allby anyone, everyone is super friendly. By the time we got to the backpackers we were soaked and painted white from head to toe. It was a brilliant welcome to a new life.

We didnt last very long the first nightand quickly retired to our room. Some would call the room modest and as long as you dont mind sharing with a cockroach it was just that! It all adds to the experience and for £9 a nightfor two people you would expect to share with something.

On my first day in Thailand we took a river boat in to the main centre. The river boats are fantastic and this coming from a girl who gets sea sick! We were on the boat for about half an hour and it cost 15baht each! What a bargain. We then trialed the sky train, air conditioned cabs of luxury! Nothing like our underground, it is 30feet in the air to start with and of course a fraction of the price. All this travel to get where? Well the shops of course :-)

The evening was the start of thr next part of the journey. We got on the train to Chiang Mai. An overnight train that actually takes longer than the bus! But Dad being dad had to sleep in comfort so the train it was! Air condition was mandatory on this train so that was a first for me. We a couple of people on the train from Belgium and enjoyed a few beers and taught them how to play poker! They werr not the best so we decided it would be bad taste to hustle them formoney and instead stuck to the paper chips Dad had created. The train was even longer than expected but in true Thai style no one cared to ask why or even grumple, I cant remember the saying right now but there is a Thai word for this and I am sure will pick it up soon.

So far 3 thai words learnt...Hello, Thank-you and Cheers. Will keep you updated on these :-)