S: So we had 762 bends to get back down from Pai. Unfortunately they put us at the back. Bad move, James gets travel sick, but has been brilliant so far. I had to shout at the driver to stop before he was sick lol. He wasn't the only one in the bus to be feeling the effects. There is also one other thing to add, Thai drivers drink a million (ok, slight exaggeration) red bulls and drive like Michael Schumacher. We did make it down safely, and arrived in Bangkok early.

J: After feeling a bit iffy we headed out for breakfast and found a little street vendor selling some sort of soup and it looked good. We ordered and got a bowl of noodle soup with offal (pigs ears and a lot I couldn't identify) it was like being back in China, but we still thought it was tasty and enjoyed it.

Now fuelled up we went for a walk about the Koshan road area and bought the last bits we needed before Australia while it's still cheap here in Asia.

After a recommendation from a tuk-tuk driver who wanted to take us, and to his dismay we walked there. We did find the giant standing Buddha and it was massive at 46 meters high.

S: We organised a tour (what's happening to us lol) to go to the floating markets. They were great; you basically get on a canal boat and do your shopping down small canals.

After that we went to the bridge over the river Kwai, it was brilliant to walk over it, although you had to watch for the train coming over at the same time and run back to the last passing place.

Next it was off to the Tiger Temple, (at one point we commented that we felt like we were back at school, all this chaperoning lol) it was brilliant, you were able to sit and stroke the tigers.

J: The Tiger Temple was truly a highlight of my life. I have always loved big cats and especially Tigers. All the Tigers at this temple were born and raised there so they are semi domesticated. The monks treated them like normal house cats; the main section had about 30 tigers ranging from 6 months old up to 15 years, all lounging about in the sun. One at a time we were guided to different tigers that looked relaxed at the time to touch, stroke and have photos with. I was in awe of these magnificent beasts and wanted to stay there forever.

We noticed the monks feeding them some little white tablets, I asked about it and it turns out they are milk sweets as a special treat from the monks, which they give the Tigers to get on their good side, we even tried the left overs from one Tigers treat and they actually tasted good.

It was funny talking to a girl working there, due to his religion the head monk believes all the Tigers are people reincarnated from previous lives and he has to care for them. Currently the temple has plenty of spare land and are simply expanding and making an open safari park. Although I asked what happens when it fills up, she said the monk doesn't think that far ahead.

S: The Tigers were truly awesome. Although I did move pretty quickly when they moved as I touched them.

So with one day left, we had left the exploring until last. As usual we didn't take a tuk-tuk that's what legs are for, 10km later. We headed towards the Giant Swing built to worship Shiva. Men use to swing on it to get a bag of gold. This has long since stopped after a few deaths. As we went to cross the road, a bus had stopped, in the middle lane, holding up the traffic. The driver stuck his head and phone out and motioned for a picture. We laughed and posed as usual, although we found it strange in Thailand, as there are so many westerners.

J: I think that bus driver thought we were someone famous, even more than just ourselves that is lol.

The Wat Suthat next to the swing was beautiful, full of golden Buddha's and a prayer session was going on in the main temple and it could be heard all over the grounds - it was magical.

We walked up the Golden Mount, which was a temple up a small hill in the middle of the city. It had a stunning view from the top and you could clearly see the hotel featured in the Hangover film.

S: We walked to the Palace, I had read in the book as per temples rules; you couldn't get in unless shoulders and knees were covered. We waltzed up, and the guard was no, you can't come in. Obviously a little confused, they had changed the rule to trousers only. So we went to the local park, to chill out. We watched around 300 army cadets being put through their paces who certainly weren't relaxed.

J: I didn't want to see that palace anyway.... Lol

But the young cadets really were being pushed, to the point some were being sick through exhaustion.

We walked to Wat Pho, which is where the big reclining Buddha lays. The whole grounds where stunning with all the building having small- mirrored tiles covering the outside.

Then we found the Buddha, it was ginormous, nearly 50 meters long, I couldn't even get all of it into a photo!

We also sat at the main temple watching all the monks pray and chant. It was a wonderful, tranquil place to be at during those times.