Yay - I made it to Bangkok!
The 9 hour flight seemed to drag - We had some excitement when we took off - the oxygen masks on the seat in front on me came down! For a minute I thought we might crash but all was ok.

Landed around 11pm and finally made it to the hotel for midnight. The taxi driver was a crazy fool - there were no seatbelts in the cab so I was hanging onto the seat for dear life!

Love the room - it's huge and you can fit about 4 people in the bed - maybe more if they are Thai because they're only small!
Had a shower and wait to sleep. It's great to be here and fab to have my own room!

Thursday.
Woke at 8.30 and ran straight for the window. Down on the street below it's already bustling with people setting up their stalls and the traffic was flowing.
Went to the restaurant for my free brekkie. Wowsers - what a choice. I'd read a review about this hotel that there wasn't a good selection at breakfast. What a lie! There was bread, 10 different kinds of pastries (which I plan to sample at least one of each over the next few days!, cereals, fruit, fry ups, rice, pasta, salads etc... I was in my element!

Got showered and finally made it out of the hotel at 12.00. I'm in no mind to rush over these next few weeks!

Found my way to the river and hopped onto the boat heading for the Royal Grand Palace. Found my way there but was stopped at the entrance. A guy who said he worked there said that the palace was not open to tourists today because it's a very important buddhist day. He then arranged for a man in a tuk tuk to take me around the rest of the city for 20 bhat (about 3p!) I had been reading up about the scams with tourists so was a bit dubious but thought what the hell!
Jumped into the tuk tuk and off I went. The only catch was I was taken to a jewellery store and a clothing store because the tuk tuk drivers get free fuel. That was ok with me as long as I wasn't parting with any of my money!
I did however barter in the clothing store and am having a dress made. Will go back tomorrow for a fitting. Very exciting!

So, on my tour on Bangkok. I went to Benchamabopit (Marble temple) and Phukhoa Thong (Golden Mountain). They are amazing buildings. So brightly decorated and are covered in gold mosaics. At the marble temple there was a huge standing buddha of about 80 metres high. Most Thais leave offerings at all statues of buddha, usually closed lotus flowers, incense sticks or they buy gold leaf and put it on the buddha. I think this may be the most religious country I have visited. Everyone seems proud of their religion which coming from a country where most people don't practise a religion (including myself) is nice to see.

I missed the boat back to my hotel by about 2 hours (oops!) so I had to find a tuk tuk or taxi back to the hotel. Had to ask about 10 people before I got a good price. It seems that everyone is out to make money from you in this city!

Had a fab dinner in the hotel, pad thai, green curry, rice etc... All for about 3 pound! Bargain!

Friday 20th
Got up early this morning and feasted on another yummy brekkie. Got a tuk tuk over to the Royal Grand Palace. It's only 9.30am but it's sooooooooo hot already. I can't take it. Good job I'm looking around lots of temples where it's cooler. The Grand Palace was amazing and a lot nicer then where our queen lives! Someone should give old Lizzie a good talking to and tell her to bling up her pad!
The grounds of the palace has lots of those dragon statue things which scare me a little bit! I also went to see Wat Phra Kaew which is the temple of the emerald Buddha.

Walked over to Wat Pho which is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok. It also houses the big reclining buddha which is 46m long. It's gold and very impressive. The feet of the buddha have lots of mother of pearl detailing which must have taken forever to complete.

After another morning of temples and hot sun I made my way over to the some markets. There are so many people in this city. Had a walk around and then got back to the hotel for some air-conditioning! I think I have sweat on my sweat it's that hot!

I'm off to Koh Samui tomorrow for a week of beach action. Glad I had 2 days in Bangkok but that's enough! It's too crazy and smelly to spend any longer here. Bring on the beach!