Sawasdee Krup! (hello)

The majority of travelers I have spoken to never stayed longer than 2 days in the capital because they hated everything about it. I still arrived with some optimism that I would like it, and after just a few days I loved the place! Tarry and I stayed for a whole week! I think you have to accept the below par hygiene, pollution and general chaos, that's what gives this place it personal character. I enjoyed the chaotic traffic, I would just take trips in tuk tuk's and on the back on taxi motorbikes just for the thrill on these no-rules loud and fast moving streets.

We stayed in the world acclaimed backpackers district of Khosan Road, it was a great place to meet other travelers and enjoy some hard nightlife. I managed to bump into my friend Ashley again unplanned in an Irish Bar and later on that evening Renaldo who I met in Koh Phangan Island. That was a great night, maybe 10-12 of us enjoying the evening until the early hours.

The temples here are magnificent! They are beautifully kept in the most incredible condition, especially within its dirty grim context. I saw so many. Highlight being a 46m reclining Buddha in Wat Po. Yes!

Tarry had two friends from England we met up with in Bangkok, however, during the afternoon I became separated from the 3. I ventured around some other places in Bangkok I hadn't seen and finished in a bar early evening, I ended up chatting to a few thai locals that were a few years older than me. A few more joined us and we all went out for a wonder and went for a meal. I think there were around 9 of us boys and girls and they ordered a selection of traditional thai foods, many I haven't seen nothing like in the touristy areas! I drank a lot of water to try help with the spice!! After we went out to some bars and clubs, playing pool and chatting, 4 of us finally went back to one of theirs apartments to watch some films and drink further chang beer buckets. We all decided we were hungry again at god knows what hour and one thai went out on his bike to fetch some thai ingredients from the night market. Thai people don't generally sit at tables at home but sit in a circle on the floor. So we prepared, cooked and ate in a circle on the floor. I stumbled back to my guest house late morning to meet tarry who was about to get up! I really enjoyed socializing with the Thai, they seem to me the friendliest people I have ever met. That goes for everywhere in Thailand I have been. I felt I had quite a cultural experience.

Time began to look a little thin so we decided to head straight away to the old city of Chiang Mai. 13hr train north.