Bangkok - Thursday 10th

After trying to overcharge us for the hotel room (this is getting boring!) we flew back in to Ho Chi Min City where we bumped into James who we had met in Vietnam recently and then took our connecting flight to Bangkok.Yet again, through Tripadvisor we had booked a great hotel for a good price.In the evening we went out to sample the local bars which of course in true Bangkok style were full of ladies and lady-boys.Adam's apples and short frocks are such a fashion faux pa - well, for most.

Friday 11th

As we have been to Bangkok before we didn't feel the need to do the usual sight-seeing so we went out to do some shopping, first stopping off at a tailor for Stephen to get a suit made.There were photos all over the wall of Mr Rangawonse and George Bush senior, and in between any spare spaces were caps and badges from various US police forces.Oh well, if it's good enough for George!Although Bangkok is cleaner than most towns in Vietnam there are many more beggars, particularly under the elevated metro system, and a large number of them being amputees sadly in the street crawling on their tummies for maximum effect.In the evening we listened to some great live music in a bar after eating the hottest Thai red curry ever!

Saturday 12th

We went out to the Chatuchak weekend market in the stifling heat.The market itself is massive, with many different sections selling clothes, gifts, household items, However, many of the clothes looked shabby and stained so we came away empty handed and very hot and sticky.We then went to a mall where we finally found something to fit Suz.After an argument with two cab drivers who for some reason wouldn't take us back to our hotel, we jumped onto a tuk-tuk who was happy for the fare.In the evening we stumbled across a Thai restaurant, as we were eager to have a Thai curry we might be able to actually eat.This particular street was full of Arabs and it was an odd sight to see the ladies burkha'd up with only their eyes showing, walking along-side other 'ladies' who had more or less everything but their eyes uncovered.

Sunday 13th December

We spent the day at the gym and pool in the hotel while making plans for our additional and unexpected trip to Seoul.