Today we had a buffet breakfast at our hotel which was yum - pancakes, bacon, eggs - the lot.

We set out for the day and thought we were doing well until we fell into the trap. What looked like a government man approached us when we were looking at our map and said in celebration of the King's birthday, the government is supporting tourism and a tuk-tuk will take you around the temples for 20 baht for 3 hours (with a lot more spiel than this). He flagged down a 'government' tuk-tuk. Being new to the game, we accepted.

Riding in the back of a tuk-tuk is awesome but a little scary. The wind on you feels so good in the heat but you have to be careful not to lean far out as the traffic goes by.

Our first stop on the tuk-tuk tour was a temple housing the 'Lucky Buddha'. This was the only good thing about the tour! We had to take our shoes off to enter and the Buddha shrine was wonderful with lots of gold. We were taught how to pray to the Buddha: you light three incense sticks and hold them in your prayer hands. You close your eyes and make your prayer. Then you put your incense sticks pointing up into a dish in front of the Buddha and bow your head with prayer hands three times.

Next stop on the tour was the dodgy 'Government Factory' where they try to sell you suits for 4000 baht (around £50). So we ended the tour there...

We found our way by foot to another temple, Wat Intharawihan, which is home to the tallest Buddha in Bangkok standing 45 meters high.

Jumping in another tuk-tuk (which charged the more normal price of 100baht), we went to Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. Steph wasn't allowed in with a vest top and leggings on so had to put on a cardigan and buy a long sarong (it has elephants on it :) and only cost 100baht).

As it is the King's birthday ceremony, the Thai army were around and we watched a procession of them entering the grounds. The temple and palace were outstanding - huge buildings with the most intricate detail of gold and jewels.

Now we're back at the hotel (it's 6.21pm) and are planning to head out and find some dinner shortly.

Thanks for all your messages on the last blog, it's so nice to hear from you!

Steph and Max x