The big day!!! Happy 50th birthday to me. Started the day off with a cup of tea in bed then after breakfast we once again tried to tackle the shopping area of bangkok. Deciding to tackle another Tuk tuk driver who insisted on taking us to another "government controlled" jewellery store, not really wanting too but we agreed and was assured we only had to look so he could get a fuel coupon. It must have meant to be - I come away with a beautiful new piece of jewel...

For today we booked a tour of the canals. Bangkok's version to Venice!! We had been advised to get a taxi from the hotel no later than 9.15am to be at the docks by 10.00 to catch the boat. Well we started off at 9.05am and I was sure we weren't going to make it, but we got there with 5 minutes to spare. Once at the tour office there was probably no need to panic because there was no boat waiting for us! We walked to the canal with a tour guide through the back st...

Arrived in Bangkok Tuesday night 23rd april after a pleasant 7 hour flight on Thai Airways, I managed to watch 3 movies while in flight. Got to the hotel room about midnight. Wednesday 24th. Having No plans set for today we thought we might walk to see the Royal Palace, it didn't look far on the map! The little hotel guy said aaagghh! "Take 2 hours or more up, over, around". So we got a taxi - thank goodness. The Royal Palace is stunning, amazingly ornate and ...