Bangkok Part 1:

Landed in Bangkok after our mamoth journey and 20 pounds lighter having had a beer in Dubai airport! Stayed at the Ariyasomvilla in Bangkok and it was absolutely fantastic. The food was vegetarian or seafood and was delicious. On the first day we got ripped off for 20 quid for by our taxi driver who told us we had to buy a sarong for a visit to the Grand Palace, however he said no shops were open and took us to what turned out to be his mates tailors where, yes, we stupidly handed over 20 quid for 4 meters of cloth! Well thai silk but stilll, they'll make nice cushions when we get back! What rubbed salt in the wound was that they were selling sarongs outside the palace for a pound! Oh well! Lesson learnt. The Grand Palace was stunning the most beautiful temple i've seen, got some great pictures which we'll try to show you all soon. Bangkok is a great city though quite large and many places not reachable on foot, taxi's are a must though at 2 pound a fare to cross the city all was not bad! Saw our first lady boy, and what a stunner (well apart from the stubble!). Thai people are the most friendly bunch(even when they're trying to rip you off! ;) )

Got back lazed by the pool in 36 degrees and had a thai massage for an hour for 8 quid!!! Headed to Kaohsan rd for dinner, which was lively but cheap. Had some lovely Red snapper for 3 quid! Beer for 80p! Loving it! Met up with Jeff and Ian, friends of Mark's and stayed at a trendy bar until 3 am, surprisigly not hungover, though this night we didn't partake in the thai whiskey (which is seriously blow your head off stuff!). Despite the great night, the downside was that I incurred over 70 mossie bites to the legs which looks like acne! There's no describing the itchiness this caused.

We took the two hour bus journey to Kanchanaburi to the west of Bangkok and here is where we are writing from. Going to see the national parks tomorrow so will write another update then, Ta Ta for now... Em and Mark xxx