The flights were quite expensive so for our journey to Chiang Mai we had decided to take a boat, minivan and 2 overnight trains with a night stop in bangkok. Our overnight train to bangkok was a pleasant experience with comfortable and clean bedding. We had booked ourselves into the Naria hotel which was in the financial district of bangkok. The hotel was modern, clean and of a high standard considering the small amount we had paid. After a spot of lunch we hopped on a longtail boat to take us down the river and also canals where the peasants lived. We were surprised to discover how poorly people lived so close to the city centre. Before returning to our hotel we visited the temple Wat Arun where I climbed some very steep steps to the top of a budist monument which offered a good view of the river. A Danish girl had recommend a bar which was on the 64th floor of an upmarket hotel called the sky bar. We were pleased to learn that it was located just at the end of our road. After a lie down in our room and some dinner in a nearby restaurant we jumped in a tuk tuk and headed to the Sky Bar. The dress code was smart casual so when a waitress greeted us to show the way to the bar I panicked and walked very close behind her so that she wouldn't see my scruffy trainers! Somehow I managed to trip over almost taking her with me - so much for not drawing attention to myself! Fortunately the bar was full of posh Americans who clearly like trainers so i actually fitted in quite well. The view from the bar was breathtaking, however the drinks were expensive so after an hour or so we headed back to our hotel. The following day we visited another temple - Wat Phu pronounced (what poo!) which was one of the nicest temples in Bangkok and located along the river We had read that the Manderin Oriental is regularly voted for the hotel providing the best service in the world so before catching our night train to Chiang Mai we called in for afternoon tea.