Having survived Bangkok (we saw no evidence of trouble at all), we're currently sunning ourselves on the beach, topping up our tans and spending as little money as humanly possible. I've been really ill for the last week or so, which certainly helped in terms of economising - food was pointless and i've hardly ventured further than our hotel. This has given me plenty of time for reading, thinking and taking stock of the last few months... Throughout my journey ...

Never shake on a deal with a one handed Chinaman. After two consecutive overnight bus journeys across the length of Thailand i discovered that a breakdown in the mysterious ticket/stickering system which governs transport and tourism here meant that my trek into the jungle had been cancelled. I won't hold my breath waiting for a refund. Cursing the digitally challenged tour operator, i fumed around Chiang Mai with my camera and attempted to calm myself in a suc...

I have become a caricature. Today i am the world's most obvious backpacker. I've barely slept in two days and i look dreadful. The white of my right eye is pink - i assume it's conjunctivitus and need a pharmacist to confirm this. I haven't showered. My skin is tanned, but through the grime it's hard to tell. My ankles are peppered with mosquito bites. A cloth bag dangles from my shoulders containing my guide book, camera, wallet and tiger-balm. My shorts are dir...

The smell of Asia has burrowed its way into my nostrils and will not be budged. At times this is far from unpleasant. Sometimes, however, a whiff of something nasty seems to worm its way directly from my nose to my stomach - and then tries to escape through my mouth! Would i want it any other way? Certainly not! The sanitised smells of the UK, where the baked pasties at Greggs and overpriced coffee at Starbucks are the only aromas to pervade the High Street simp...