Home sweet home. Well, this is it. Here I am back at home and it is most surreal! We dedicated our last few days in Thailand to shopping and shopped till we dropped is exactly what we did. We started off in Siam Square, visiting the MBK - the huge shopping centre - where we had to wait 20 minutes before being let in (it opened late, at ten because of the election). I brought clothes galore and went pressie mad. Surprisingly we were quite tired by about one-ish so decided to go back to the hotel for a siesta before starting out again at the weekend market. After the nap we caught a taxi to the market and were somewhat overwhelmed when we finally arrived (via a slightly dodgy taxi journey, crossing traintracks during a red light...). The market was HUGE and sold everything you could imagine; clothes, houseware, plants, food, drinks etc. etc. After the shopping extravaganza we had a niggling urge to try the insects, wiggedy grubs and maggots for sale on the street... and so we did! Admittedly it was a gross thought but in actual fact simply tasted like funny crisps - apart from the rather large cocroatch type 'thing'! After we really had had enough we went back to the hotel to meet Izzy and Harry who had just arrived on their flight from Sydney. We popped out for a 'pad thai' (of course!) and a few drinks before hitting the sack. The next day was full of last-minute-dot-com-things; shopping, packing etc. which was a slight palava seeing as I had managed to accumulate a ginormous laundry bag full of purchases which took quite a while to sort - to say the least. Lets put it this way; I couldn't lift it! We had a drink with Izzy, Harry and Tasha (who had also just arrived from back home) to say goodbye. Good old Mr Pati sorted our taxi to the airport and away we were. Thank goodness my bag went through OK, without hassle and after a quick look around the duty free we swiflty found ourselves upon our last flight of our trip. I was in a daze for quite a while, in shock that I was finally heading home after all this time. I arrived at the airport and was greeted by my fabulous family awaiting my arrival. Lucie had made a wonderful banner that I couldnt miss and I was come overcome when I saw them! I got home, handed out the pressies (of course) and was then surprised by Grandma, Grandad, Linda, Chevy, Martin, Kay, Cassie and Mips for a welcome home BBQ! It was great to see everyone and a fab feeling to be back home. So, its all over. I still find it odd to believe I won't be logging on everynight to tell you all what I'm up to - although I'm sure I'll have some obscure urge to write down my whereabouts or something! Anyway, I've had a wonderful time - it was probably the best thing I have done in my life so far (hold the tears!!) and I can't wait to undertake the next challenge. I must go now before I start to cry! Goodbye travels, and thankyou for everything you have done for me. Ciao...