Hello everyone,

well here we are finally in Bangkok, wow the culture shock was insane to start off with. The heat is crazy you literally start pouring with sweat as soon as you step outside. the first thing you notice is is how polluted and dirty this place is, there is rubbish thrown everywhere and we are yet to see one bin. the roads are so crazy, trying to cross is like a death trap, you literally have to run for your life. Occupational health and safety does not exsist here, i've tripped on broken concrete, holes in the ground, unknown objects sticking out from the footpath etc. We get haggled everyday although we expected that, the people are friendly but it gets irritating sometimes when you want to go for a walk in peace or catch a taxi without worrying about getting ripped off.

We have seen quite a bit in the 2 days that we've been here, yesterday we went to yhe Kings palace which was unbelievable, so extravagant the people here worship the king there are photos everywhere and shrines on most corners for people to pay there respects. Your not allowed to say anything bad about the king or ladyboys as i found out one night, one local overheard me saying ladymen and he swiftly grabbed the watch michael had been looking at and mumbled something about ladyboys not ladymen!!!!!!

nicole

One night out on the streets we wandered out and located a market and whilst strolling through we saw many things, including something which we were really saddened by, it was a baby elephant which was in the middle of a busy footpath, and you basically pay some money to have it take some food out of your hands, it was really sad, in a way very cruel, we couldnt even bring ourselfes to take a photo, and then a shock, we saw its eyes and it made us feel even worse, i think nicole almost cried.

We also recommend jumping into a taxi as this is an experience in itself, the road rules here dont exist, you litterally drive how you want with the exception of the few traffic lights which are around and they are pretty cool they count down how long you have on each light. We have also experienced some of our first bargaining skills which we put in to practice at the markets, these are full with everything from watches to silk paintings to taser guns to knuckle dusters, you name it they have it and usually very cheap, thay are best known for the replica watches and big designer rip offs.

today we are catching a bus out of here as we have seen enough, its time to relax by some tropical water and swim with the fishes, lay on the soft silky white sand sip on cocktails and get pampered, we are heading to phuket an 12 hours bus ride which should be interesting we will have some photos once we find some fast internet

Its been amazing although it's painfully hot it's been very exciting and my recommendation is that you stay no longer than 2-3 days as you can do evrything here in that time, anyway were off for a dip in the pool which overlooks the dirtiest most polluted river we have ever seen.