Our first evening in Bangkok we went to the Night Market in Patpong (we ended up spending most evenings here), which was a five minute walk from our hostel. It had lots of stalls selling anything from knock off designer bags to fridge magnets. I picked up some cheap sunglasses (which I absolutely love). If you are good at bartering there is your opportunity to do it! Although personally I am terrible at it and find it awkward! There were lots of restuarants and bars, all doing happy hour or having some sort of drinks deal on.

We headed to one of the many food places to eat. The veggie option was slightly limited but I put together a meal of garlic rice, cheesy gyozas and edemane beans - a random combination, but very tasty. Although after the plane food anything would have tasted good. I soon realised that every food option appears to come with beef, chicken, pork or shrimp.

My main consumption of food has been rice, egg and crisps for Bangkok. I did branch out one day and have a vegetable spring roll from the street market which was amazing and if I see another street food vendor selling them I will be buying more.

We decided to visit some temples. The temperature was 32 degrees and so humid. The dress code for the temples is to dress moderately and it was unclear whether I could wear longer shorts or if I had to completely cover my legs. I played it safe and wore trousers and took a cover for my shoulders. I think I sweated from areas I didn't know you could sweat from. I was dripping in sweat by the end of the day and must have stunk!

We visited three temples:

- Wat Trimitr
- Wat Pho
- Wat Arun

To get to Wat Arun we had to cross a river. The cost was 4 baht per person so around 9 pence each. The first time we came to Bangkok three years ago our tuktuk driver took us to the same river just a bit further down to get to the temple and charged us 850 baht so just under £20! We felt uneasy in the situation as we were in an area we didn't know so just paid it and got across to the Temple which had already closed for the day! It is definitely a scam to watch out for. I would be more confident walking away now and refusing to pay the outrageous sum of money.

Of course we got a Thai massage one evening. It was pricier than I remember from three years ago - 250 baht (£6)  pound), but still incredibly cheap for an hour massage! It was a great way to try and relax from the stresses of travelling and get out of the hustle and bustle (and smell) of the street for a little bit.

On one of the days it was pouring down with rain so we went to the shopping centre which is very westernised but still had aspects of Thai. The shopping centre was huge and I even treated myself to a Starbucks!

We visited Lumpini Park and spent a good few hours walking, relaxing, snacking and playing cards. We also found an outside gym which a lot of the locals were using. It looked pretty cool. There were a lot of Thai people running and cycling through the park and others doing their own exercises and stretches on the grass. In the evening they did a free zumba class!

On our last evening at the hostel (which by this point we realised had next to no atmosphere or people just didn't want to be our friend...we made a friend! His name was Joschua (from Germany) and he was staying in our dorm. We had some drinks in the hostel and then dinner and drinks near the Night Market. He was super friendly and the conversation turned to Christmas! I knew that not everyone had a roast dinner on Christmas Day but assumed everyone knew what Sunday dinner was. Nope. He has never heard of it and has never tried gravy! When I showed him pictures he thought the gravy looked like a lot of sauce! In Germany they do presents and dinner (duck with potato salad) on Christmas Eve, then see family on Christmas Day! I still couldn't imagine Christmas Day without a roast dinner!

One thing that did upset me in Bangkok was the amount of stray cats. I am pretty sure I will see this in most areas but I am incredibly sensitive person when it comes to animals. There was one painfully thin cat outside our hostel who I reported to a local charity. He seemed happy enough and there was food on offer for him, and although he ate a bit he seemed content just having a fuss made of him. Out the front of the hostel there were two cat bowls. The locals would feed the cats which was very sweet given they don't have much themselves. I also bought cat food for the hostel to feed a cat out the back. The hostel have said they will continue to feed him and hopefully they will, but I have no way of knowing, just their word.

On the whole while I am glad we did Bangkok, I am not a huge fan and I think we spent a bit too long there. I was getting fed up after two nights of the hustle and bustle, the smell. I can't quite place a solid reason as to why I was not fussed, but I was glad to leave.

What I have noticed is that Thai people, on the whole, were incredibly friendly and sweet natured towards us. They were so helpful. As soon as one noticed us trying to navigate around for example, they would be first to help without us having to even ask.