We arrived in Bangkok around 8am and much to my surprise I actually managed to sleep on the train! much better than my experience last year in vietnam!

When we boarded, I was pleasantly surprised, the carriage was divided into compartments with two sets of bunk beds. I was sharing with Ian, Marloes and Bond. The train was an hour and half late to depart! We all sat chilling and i took the chance to speak more to Hannah, Steve, Paula and Kevin as they would be leaving us in Bangkok.

The staff on the train don't miss a trick as they bring round beer and smirnoff ice to sell and leave buckets of it in the carriages knowing it will get drunk.

Us girls then decided to head to the 'party' carriage. It was nuts! tv screen playing music, flashing disco lights and people dancing everyone! We joined Bond and his friend and danced away to lots of songs. It was then more chatting until we finally tried to sleep just after 10.

On arrival in bangkok we went for breakfast and said our goodbyes to those who were leaving. Of the 15 of us, 8 were staying the rest of the trip: Marloes, Francesca, Alex, Julie, Steven, Anne, Ian and myself.

After check in and a much needed shower myself and Ian decided to head to the grand palace. We took a taxi there for 60baht and upon arrival the potential scamming started. first a man, who looked official, told us that the tickets for tourists were down the road so we headed that way, next we were stopped by another man who claimed the palace was only open to thai people at the moment to pray and that we couldn't go in for an hour and a half, so he tried to get us into his tuk-tuk and take us somewhere else. instantly we said no and walked back to where we had been dropped off. we found that we could walk straight in and buy our tickets there!

The grand palace was impressive, filled with lots of detailed buildings and statues. It was very busy so we only spent about half an hour there.

the taxi journey back proved interesting too! first a guy offered us 50baht to take us back but then mentioned he would take us to some shops! instantly we said no and headed in the opposite direction. The next taxi we got in refuse to put the meter on and said 200baht!! finally we got into a taxi that put the meter on! on the way back we were stuck in really heavy traffic so it took nearly an hour.

It was then time for some rest before meeting the new group.

Joining on us on this tour are a Canadian couple and five girls all from England. We went for dinner at the same restaurant as the last first night and then a few of us went to kosan road again. Only two of the new girls joined us, Amanda and Jen. I finally gave in and bought two pairs of the harem trousers all the travellers are wearing and I must admit they are really comfy!

After a few cocktails and a pancake it's back to the hotel.