Our first 24hours in Thailand turned out better than we expected. I withdraw my earlier comments and concerns for a western influenced Thailand. Today's trip to an amazing temple housing an impressive gold 30ft meditating Buddha, with a broken Thai phrase book conversation (with the caretaker), followed by a kick in the taste buds pad Thai for lunch and hour of people watching in the bus station effortlessly helped to prove that a small western influence hasn't...

1 coach, 1 boat, 1 mini van, 5 Tuk Tuk's and 19 hours later we are FINALLY in THAILAND!!! Although that sounds pretty stressful, in Olly and Siobh style, we pretty much slept the whole way, despite missing our first scheduled tuk tuk, nearly missing the coach and breaking down in the middle of the jungle at 3am!!! We are now in Chiang Rai, the most northern province in Thailand. Although quoted by our 'bible' as "more liveable than visit able", we decided that...