Sydney was a very pleasant 24 degrees when we left. Bangkok is 35 - predicted to get up to 39 later today and hotter tomorrow. Add in humidity levels of 50% and more and it makes for a very uncomfortable climate. Then there is the noise and the smells and the funny writing. It's all a far cry from friendly, easy going Australia and New Zealand. This is what the rest of our trip is going to be like.

But it's fascinating and exciting and full of the unexpected. We've arrived on the last day of the Thai New Year, Songkran. This traditionally is celebrated by soaking passers by with water pistols. Foreigners, naturally, are prime targets and I duly got soaked last night.

Thailand is a strongly Buddhist country, with Buddhism and the highly revered monarchy being intertwined. Temples ('wats') abound and this morning we took a tour of several of the most important - Reclining, Big (32m high), Lucky and Marble - in one of Bangkok's ubiquitous 'tuk-tuks' - 3-wheeled motorcycle taxis. Total cost for a 2/12 hour trip, £1.

But it did include stops at one of Thailand's other cultural icons - shopping. In return for us going to two tailors and a jewellers our tuk-tuk driver apparently gets free petrol. And I was persuaded to buy two shirts. Handmade to measure and delivered to our hotel in less than 24 hours.

Yes shopping is big in Bangkok. just next to our hotel is a whole shopping mall dedicated just to art and antiques. For some reason it had this customised Citroen outside it last night. Just opposite our hotel is a shop that sells huge statues and garden ornaments - a reproduction of Michelangelo's David, a jockey on horseback, an elephant and a hippo are just some of the things on display.

But some shopping delights are more prosaic. At the motorway toll booth on the way in from the airport was a huge advertisement for Fisherman's Friends. And if it all gets too much then there is always the Creative Accounting Co. Ltd to help you out.