Amazing past couple of days, Bangkok is such a great place.

Starting from when I left Manchester, woke up at 7 to pack my bag, - got on the plane fine at about 2, unfortunately there was a mechanical problem with a door so sat on the runway for 2 hrs. Queue everyone asking for water like theyre going to die. I did however manage to watch the whole of toy story 3 before we set off!

Rest of the flight was just movies and the simpsons. Landed in Dubai late and had 45 mins to get back through security etc... For the next flight. Luckily found my way quite easily, and made it with 20 mins to spare.

Ended up watching movies and chatting to the friendliest Thai guy sat next to me. He was telling me all of the best places to go, and loved hearing about what we all had planned. Learnt about the 'songkran' festival starting in Thailand in a few days - they celebrate their traditional new year by having massive day long water fights in the street!

Couldn't get to sleep at all on either flight - maybe a 30 min doze in all. Arrived in Bangkok and met up with everyone arriving at similar times, about an hrs wait then off to the hostel in a minibus driver. Completely stereotypical cab driver - weaving in and out of traffic, using the hard shoulder etc... Looked up at one point to see we were about 6 abreast on a 4 lane motorway. Oh and the minibus didn't have seatbelts. Sorry mum!

Great located hostel, right on the famous khaosan road. Complete backpacker central. Pretty cool room - with an interesting shower toilet combination, ie they're on top of each other. Air con is amazing though, actually got too cold in the night and had to sleep in shorts and a tshirt!

Went out that evening with everyone - around 18, a few were yet to arrive on late flights. (24 in total) great night out with a great bunch of people - probably helped that the alcohol is ridiculously cheap. For the equivalent of around 15 pints it's £11! Had some yummy pad Thai from a street vendor too, went adventurous and asked for extra chillis , massive mistake. Don't quite fancy the fried scorpions or caterpillars yet.

Got to around midnight, and as I hadn't slept on the plane I'd been awake for about 40 hrs. So called it a night, went to bed and woke up 2 hrs later and couldn't get to sleep til 5. Jet lag is so weird!

Got up for breakfast in the hotel, a plate of watermelon and pineapple, toast and coffee, which managed to put the hangover at bay for a few hours. Then left for our day of being mega tourists, 1st a visit to the grand palace, then to 2 other temples. Took loads of brilliant photos. Noodles for lunch (obviously) then a crazy tuk tuk ride back to the hostel. (bit like a motorized rickshaw) managed to find some free wifi back at the hostel. Does feel a bit odd not being able to go on the internet whenever you want, but I'll get used to it. What's worse is not having water on hand - both times I've had a shower ive completely forgotten, then remembered just as I've got a mouthful of water. Hopefully don't end up being sick.

Either that or my diet of just pad Thai and alcohol will probably finish me off. So far resisted the urge to go to the burger king down the road.

Another night out tonight, not too heavy as were on a long bus trip to kanchanaburi tomorrow - about 4 hrs (we think). And there's a rumour there may even be a pool.

It's not dropped below 30 so far, but equally not seen the sun - it's ridiculously muggy. Think it's severely overdue a huge downpour.

Thanks so much for all the messages, love reading them all and knowing people are thinking of me :)

That's all for now :)

Josh x

Ps - photo is of the sunrise at about 4. We were at about 40,000 feet just going over India.