TIME TO GO HOME NOW

DAY 72: Bangkok to London

After a Starbucks-in-bed breakfast (thanks Jen), we decided to have an hour and a half by the pool on the roof terrace for a blast of sunshine before we made the long trip home. And we had it all to ourselves for a bit.

After checking out at midday we had a few hours to kill so we lunched at our regular place before doing a sweep of the Khao San Road market for Christmas pressies. With a resounding success I might add. It was wickedly hot so we cooled off in Starbucks for one last time and discovered the peppermint mocha frappucino - A...MA...ZING!!!

We had a rather turbulent bus ride to the airport and after we checked in (no hassles with the passports thankfully) we had a browse around the expensive duty free shops. Noticed the only football shirt for sale in the sports shop was the new Leicester City shirt - random. Must be a Thai sponsor.

FINAL WORD ON THAILAND (AND OUR TRIP!)

Thailand is a tale of two countries. On the one hand its coast and islands are up there with the best - the dramatic limestone karsts, the clear turquoise water, the idyllic beaches. And our chosen resort on Koh Tao checked all of those boxes. It is simply stunning.

But then there's the developed, commercial and globalised side of Thailand that is making it become a much more Westernised country, which will eventually lead to it losing its personality and culture. Everywhere you look, there's a Maccas, KFC, Burger King or Starbucks. In Bangkok there's even a Topshop and M&S. You have to go to the remote areas of Thailand to really experience the country, unless what you want is gorgeous beaches. But even then, how long will it stay like that?

But should we complain? Why shouldn't they have all the chain stores and multi-national brands and stores that we have at home? Just because it makes the experience 'less authentic' for us visitors, doesn't mean the family who live in a remote village shouldn't have Sky TV. What it does mean, however, is that you realise just how quick you need to see as much of the world as possible, before it all becomes the same, same but different.

As I sit here in the departure lounge in Bangkok airport, I'm watching the sun set on not only our last day in Thailand but also on our whole trip. I am reminded of a totally unforgettable trip of a lifetime, having visited some truly amazing places and met some wonderfully great people along the way. And it's all been made even better and more fun by my present company - my lovely wife. There just aren't enough superlatives to describe our time travelling. I feel very lucky indeed.