This morning we woke up at 7.30 am and headed downstairs for breakfast. Our hotel is right on Lamphu canal and fresh filter coffee is served to you at tables outside. We're definitely going to miss the luxury of this hotel when we move on.

After breakfast, we did our first chore since being away! A pile of washing had accumulated so, using our travel rubber plug for the sink and travel wash, we hand washed our clothes and hung them out on our travel lines on the balcony to dry. Steph washed and Max hung up - tag team effort.

We had a stroll to Ram Buttri road where we stopped to have a drink, decide what to do for the day and watch the world go by (which included a huge amount of backpackers of all ages and nationalities).

After our very tough decision making, we jumped in a cab to the closest ferry port. We caught the Express Boat - a boat very much like a tube that the locals use to travel up and down the river - for 15baht (30p) each to Ratchawong port. From there we found Yaowarat road, the heart of Chinatown. We wondered around the crowded stalls and shops down many different alleys. Just like the rest of Bangkok, smells of different foods filled the air.

Max tried some fried fish balls (dislike) and some fried golden balls of deliciousness - we're not quite sure what they were, banana or donut maybe. For lunch, we shared a bowl of noodle soup and dumplings for 30baht (60p). The Thai culture is to eat out very often as it costs so little, and to sit and eat socially. The tables near the noodle soup stand were quite full but the chef was adamant that we must sit, and they made room for us.

When our bellies were full and our legs aching, we jumped back on the Express Boat to our hotel.

We've just had the most fantastic evening. On Mr Mellor's trusted recommendation, we headed to the Lebua Sky Bar in Silom, the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok. Max couldn't get in with shorts on so after a short walk to find some trousers (Thai silk ones, very fetching) we found ourselves on the 64th floor overlooking beautiful Bangkok at dusk. The views of the city were breathtaking - we definitely recommend.

Steph had a 'Hangovertini' which is a concoction whipped up by the bartenders and infused with rosemary for the Hangover cast and crew when they filmed there for the second movie. Max had a Singha beer.

It was officially the King's birthday today, so we got a taxi to the Khao San Road for some Pad Thai for dinner and to see the crowds of Thai people all dressed in yellow and lighting candles. We stood in the middle of thousands of them while they sung the national anthem and lifted their candles. At the end, fireworks filled the sky all around - we have never seen or heard so many at one time. It was very special.

Long live the Thai King.

Steph and Max x