Our transfer back up to Bangkok ran smoothly however when getting onto the first bus we heard people talking of their friends that had been on the same bus and had their bags rummaged through while stowed below. Brilliant. We arrived back in khaosan road at 6am, found a room and checked our bags. Graces padlock had moved and the zip broken. Both of our clothes had been moved in our bags but nothing had been taken. We assume they're just looking for money which we both keep with us, we do have a brain between us! *touch wood* if our bags do get broken in to it wouldn't be so bad as its just clothes, nothing of value...the ghd's are now in hand luggage, fear not!

We had an interesting morning back in the city. We wanted to visit the floating market so asked the guy on reception how best to get there. Like every other Thai, and much like Pollett, he knows a bloke. The driver asked how old we were, his daughter is the same age, "but she slim, not big" more thai charm. We get shovelled in to a tuk tuk and taken to the river. After parting with 700baht for 'a one hour river cruise stopping off at temples and the floating markets' we hopped in to the narrow boat....where are all the other people??
We passed one boat selling over price souvenirs and another selling pad Thai. The boat driver(?!) points out a some temples and a numerous crocodiles. We spent at least 30 minutes sitting in the canal locks and listen to the driver grobbing up flem before being hoofed off the boat and had a 20baht bill for the landing fee!! Nothing's free in Thailand!!!!
We decided to make a second attempt to visit some temples and bartered with the tuk tuk man to show us around. Our first stop was to a lucky Buddha. He dropped us off in a car park and pointed to a building that resembled a rather plain looking village hall, not quite what we had in mind! A man could see we looked confused so showed us the ropes; we took our shoes off at the door and went and knelt in front of 'the lucky Buddha' that was stuffed in the corner. After making a wish the gentleman told us that he was an English teacher, then spent the next half hour talking at us about pretty much everything. He told us we should go to the factory and have a suit made then go to the tourist information centre. Neither of which we wanted to do but he insisted on telling our driver. We kept saying no but he still took us there telling us 'free looky'. We refused to get out, he eventually got the message! We then got taken to what seemed like a gem factory, feeling rather underdressed we went in and were shown/escorted past people making rings and other jewellery. Much like a trip to Ikea we got to the end of the path which was a gift shop, much more in our price range!!
We were then transported onto a tourist information centre, which everyone in Thailand refers to as a TIT, very odd! We went in to work out the best way to get to Chiang Mai the following day, but instead were forced into creating an itinerary for everyday until we fly to Singapore! We were quoted ridiculous money and politely declined! We were transported to a further two t*** (the driver gets petrol money for taking people to them) and once again the tour were very overpriced! However, we did manage to get a 17 day tour including all accommodation and transport down from 25,000 baht to 12,000 baht! Clearly they have no real prices to stick too!
After this reasonably exhausting and hot day we thought what best way to treat ourselves in Bangkok?! SHOPPING :) we went to a shopping centre called MBK in a taxi-it was massive! 7 floors with a cinema at the top! It makes cribbs causeway look like the local corner shop!
Back on Khaosan Road for dinner and drinks! Sophie organised to meet with her cousin Emily so while waiting we spotted a restaurant doing what seemed to be performances while waiting tables?! Gangman style was the chosen song and three male waiters dancing in lady Gaga style wedged heels performed a whole routine- it was very impressive, even a boy no older than 7 joined in! Amazing!
We had a lovely evening with Em and her friends- although they did make our lives feel rather dull in comparison to the high life of London and Beijing! With one of her friends having lived in 10 countries before the age of 18! Very interesting though!

We were transferred to the train station at 7:00am to catch the 8:20 train to Ayutthaya, just north of Bangkok! At 8:00am we all stood to sing the national anthem! Apparently it's sung twice a day in public areas!

Our guest house in Ayutthaya was called Moradok Guest House- we forbid any person traveling to Thailand to miss out on this place! Random is not the word! We were greeted by a very odd witch like old woman with four teeth (2 on top 2 on bottom!) she spoke in a very high pitched voice and made us call her Mum!

We were pretty hungry so got some noodles from a local market, which resembled a soup kitchen, we were the only white people and were stared at a lot!

When back at the hotel we met 3 Canadian boys sat out the front and had a beer with them! They were pretty meat head American types, with huge arms and loads of tattoos but we quickly realised they literally weren't on any budget!

We had a few drinks with them and while chatting more guests arrived back from biking or scooter riding for the day! Everyone was hilarious and we all decided to head to the night market! En route though, the Canadians decided to make us sit on the side of the road with their new 'friends', local people who fed us chicken feet! It was basically like deep fat fried bones? Disgusting!

One of the local Thai men took us in his truck to town- we went and got food in a local restaurant-Derren (Canadian) wouldn't let anyone pay for a thing (quids in for us budgetters!) we had several beers and a meal, even stopping off for 20 Bacardi breezers on the way home! 7 of us managed to squeeze into a tuk tuk with two of the guys lying flat on the roof! It was a very amusing evening to say the least! Two more guests (who were meant to be picked up from the train station) arrived very angry and tired, we had to wake mum up because she had passed out from drinking so much! Comedy value seeing as she was 62!

We all awoke with hangovers and soon realised a bike ride around the ruins of Ayutthaya was off the cards- especially as we had not realised our train up to Chiang Mai left at 2:18pm and not in the evening! Annoying!

The train itself was fine- a tad dirty and dusty and buggy (actually probably not that fine when I think back!) but it was ok! We got to see some temples through the windows and saw lots of the countryside before darkness hit!
We even got a meal delivered at 6pm and shortly after this our seats were turned into bunk beds - we were both impressed by the speed and efficiency of the staff! Although the train managed to be 3 hours late?! Random!

We are now at the guesthouse and have a cooking corse booked for tomorrow! We may try and do some Yoga this afternoon! But have also just booked a day trip up to Chiang Rai on Thursday to see the long necked tribes and golden temples. We got an amazing price so have been sworn to secrecy! We do love a bargain!