There is nothing quite like walking off the plane into the arrivals lounge and to be greeted by the familiar smells which bring back fond memories from a treasured holiday. Although Adam is still stuck at home - since I am having a girlie adventure with my two best friends, I can't help but be reminded of our awesome trip together in September 2009. I think it's safe to say that that trip gave us the travelling bug (and I don't mean the type you need Imodium for!). Whilst the immigration ladies refused to crack a smile, that doesn't stop anybody else from spreading the sawadee ka love.I feel at ease and I haven't even made it out of the front door of the airport. I bloody love Thailand!

Once reunited at the arrival gate (which took 3 hours longer than expected - long story, don't ask) our first challenge of the day was getting to Ko San road - a backpackers haven they say. This proved more challenging than expected. First, we experienced a drunk man literally walk into the middle of Bangkok's busiest road to stop the traffic just so we could cross. Talk about feeling like royalty... Expect to see these beautiful faces on your next baht note. Then after deciding he was clearly unhinged and we didn't want to end up buried under his kitchen sink we would use the oh so charming tuk tuk driver who had come to our rescue......Prince Charming my ass! Any man who laughs when he quotes you a price is clearly more like the slimey toad in that fairy tale. So we chose to flag down the taxi whose colour matched Emma's toes (hot pink). We told him to set the meter and off we went. 30mins later and £4 poorer we arrived. Got to love the economy out here! Now whilst we had every intention on seeing every temple in Bangkok today, once we were shown our luxurious private room, and power shower and a quick freshen up turned into a mini pampering session. Tbh we probably could have stayed in the UK at this rate.

After we had finally transformed into humans again, we decided to visit the chatu chak market (parson the spelling). An absolute must if you visit Bangkok during the weekend. There was food, clothes and cheap knock offs everywhere and a lovely stand which sold delicious coconut ice cream. Now I love Thailand more than anyone but you can't help but judge a nations sanity when you are offered sweet corn with your ice cream. A boost of sugar later and we were off shopping, and we eventually left with an arm full of bracelets which scream I'm a conventional backpacker - well you have got to look the part don't you!

We finished the night off with a delicious dinner consisting of pad Thai, spring rolls and a strawberry smoothie all for THREE POUNDS(!) down ko San road. The only way to describe this street is as follows: we were asked to attend a ping pong show, offered scorpions on a stick to eat and bugged by crazy women selling cheap wooden toys which makes the irritating noise like a frog on heat. And to make it worse, we weren't able to drink our way through this momentous occasion as alcohol had been banned for the day due to the elections. Thanks for that prime minister!

On our second day in Bangkok we decided to attempt to visit the floating market. The lady at the reception desk suggested we take either a tour for 450 baht or make our own way for 200. I'm sure you can figure out which option us cheap backpackers took. Another hot pink taxi escorted us to the mini bus stand (these taxis were our saving grace throughout the next two days) however we were passed on from one confused Thai person to the next and no one had a clue what this floating market was. My impressions on a bobbing market (it deserved a spot on BGT) didn't help us much and in the end we decided to resort to asking the bank for directions. Note to self always ask bank managers and always get them to write down the Thai name for you - my accent whilst a good attempt didn't get us very far and was perhaps a touch racist though not intentionally!!

We were very chuffed when we finally found our bus - true backpacking style, mingling with the locals. A 70mile mini van journey for 2 pounds what could go wrong?? Did I mention we are travelling there with a monk who was wearing crocs? He smiled at me - we are now best friends :) The market was a good giggle and we were fortunate to have the boat to ourselves although this was probably because everyone else had made it to the market hours before us. Our boy racing boat driver provided us with as much entertainment as Alton towers as we bombed it down the river banks James Bond style. Our excitable screams however made us less cool than him. We saw it all from scarves to jade Buddhas and even a dead dog (so sad... Poor Brian) and we were massively impressed that despite their lack of electricity (probably a good thing since they are surrounded by water) they accept visa. You got to love their sales ability! We ate the most delicious coconut pancakes and enjoyed the surroundings before being whizzed back into Bangkok centre. Unfortunately the grand palace was closed by the time we got back but we still had time to visit the reclining Buddha in the Wat Po before frantically running across Bangkok to make our overnight bus to Chiang Mai.

This bus itself was an experience and a half! For some mysterious reason (thoughts on a postcard) the back seats were out of bounds due to an "human accident" - either someone had been murdered and it was now a crime scene or some k*** had to much Chang beer and had wet himself. Either way there is nothing like a crazy Thai woman who makes up for her lack of English in volume. Her screams make my mother seen soft! The seats thankfully reclined far enough to make the experience somewhat enjoyable although Amy did nearly have her legs severed after the American in front of her repeatedly insisted on pushing her chair back further regardless of Amy's cries in pain.

12 hours later and to the sound of " you are in Chiang Mai get up get up" ... (Honestly where was the gentle arm shake and the cup of tea us English have grown to expect .... I joke of course my mother is just as narky in the morning) .... We have arrived in chiang Mai!