As we crossed the border into Thailand, along with the usual traffic, we were met by a cow, three stray dogs and a cockeral, also on the road. We made our way to the train station, which after a puzzled few moment, we realised we had to get to the platform by crossing the tracks. as we waited we saw mopeds using the train track as a road and carrying loads 3x the size of the bike. The army paraded up and down the platform with guns bigger than me!

We bought the cheaper, second class ticket to Bangkok on the overnight train - we are travellers after all. Second class my arse. It was amazing. Tom and I had a leather double seat?each, facing each other, forming our own little air conditioned?cubicle. Almost immediately we were served with a lovely dinner and a constant supply of drinks. When it came to bed time a little man came around to convert the seating into beds. The two chairs turned into Toms bed underneath, and mine folded down from the ceiling. OUr beds were made for us and we had cyrtains hung up, leaving us each with our own cosy little space. With the gentle rocking of the train I had one of my best night sleep yet. Wagn have a lot to learn!

When we arrived in Bangkok, the plan was to get a train straight to Chiang mai in the north. the first train wasn't until 7.00pm tho so we unexpectedly had the day in Bangkok....Hell. It was dirty and full of fumes. The streets were cluttered and crowded. It was an effort so get anywhere or do anything as there was so much hassle from people trying to sell you something as you walked down the streets. By 7.00 we were exhausted and couldn't wait to leave. We hoped that Chiang Mai would turn around our initial impressions of Thailand.