Hi Everyone,

My re-arranged flight from Melbourne meant that I had to fly to Bangkok via Sydney creating a 4 hour delay in arrival on my original plan. I arrived at BKK airport too late for the trains and the bus I needed so I opted for the soft choice and hired a taxi. I have since found out that most of the night time drivers are actually farm workers who come into the City during the evening to 'moonlight' as taxi drivers, therefore, they don't know where a lot of places are. I had opted for a Hostel away from the main area of Koh San Road which caused a bit of a problem but in fairness to the driver, he did use his mobile phone to call the Hostel and ask for directions. THe problem was that when he dropped me off he sent me down an alleyway at 1.30am and in the wrong direction!. I quickly realised what had happened and turned round. I decided that there may have been something lost in translation and crossed the road to go down another alleyway. I eventually found a sign for Baan Dinso and found a wooden door with the same words on. I took hold to find it chained and a little old lady leaning against the otherside. Poor thing nearly had a heart attack when I tried to open the door, fortunately for me Khun Kong from the Hostel found me and saved me from any further embarrassment! I was guided down another alley to a what I can only describe as a beautiful premises, a traditional Thai house in fabulous condition with every comfort. I finally dropped into bed at 2.00 in the morning.

04/11

I'm now very comfortable and in an area I have always wanted to be. The back steets of Bangkok, amongst the food vendors, alley cats and dudes who abound this incredible City. Looking out from the windows and you are surrounded by traditional Thai housing in varying states of decay or reapir, it has a real atmosphere and I LOVE IT!!

I met the owner Khum Mam, who is a very nice lady and owns Baan Dinso and another resort with her husband. We hit it off immediately, all the staff are lovley and made me feel so welcome, to the point that I very quickly found myself in the kitchens cooking my own dinner under close supervision of the Chef d'premis! Lesson received, I cooked Pad Thai and not too badly, even if I say so myself.

Mam and her family also own a resort out on the Mekong River and grow all sorts of vegetables, fruits and of course, rice. The strawberries are frozen and used at Baan Dinso for 'smoothies and fruit drinks. What I can I say, they are simply 'The Best' The strawberries are like the sweetest we grow in the UK, absolutely wonderful. It didnt take long for me to decide that the place out on the Mekong was going to be one of my destinations. It puts me in an area I have wished to visit for so long I can't tell you. It is also near the Golden Triangle, Chiang Khong, Laos, Burma, and Chaing Rai all of which were on my wish list and are now a reality. This may sound tame to some travellers but it is my personal favourite loaction and the chance to do it all with comfort, no pressure and be around helpful friendly people, just what I wanted.

Before all of that I had several days in Bangkok, I visited various Temples and day markets, spent time on myself, had my hair cut and this time had a decent cut, unlike Sydney where I was butchered! I replaced some clothes and met Peter and Alison from Kent.

A lovely couple, on their own journey, we all agreed the Hostel is fabulous, so if you are looking for an intersting, traditional old Thai house, spotlessly clean, in the middle of Bangkok and which is also excellent value for money, look no further than Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel. I'm going back in January.

I have enjoyed Bangkok more this time than on the previous occasion I came here, although it can still be and is frenetic, I actually think it is cleaner than I recall, perhaps it has something to do with newer cars, I don't know but compared with 26 years ago, it is definately cleaner. I understand those who say it is pollted and dirty but you should have been here back then! One thing though it is not due to the Tuk Tuks, which are ever present. Chatting to a German coup le the other day, they felt hassled by the drivers, I must say that this is not actually my experience, they all want to make a living and probably most are on commission from various shopping outlets around the City, but I have found that just smiling and waving a hand in greeting as opposed to disnmissiveness, is greeted in a completely different manner and changes you from just another Farang to make money from. I suppose it helps having been here before, every Country differs in different ways but dealing with people is a fundamental pre-requisit for travelling and I have encountered some who are just useless at it.

The weather is quite hot and humid we have had a couple of good downpours, fortunately, I have not been caught out yet. I only have a few days here but I am already feeling relaxed and comfortable, I suppose being able to say that whilst staying in the middle of Bangkok is quite something, but I assure you I do.

07/11

Today I travel to Chiang Mai, apart from some accommodation I am travelling around South East Asia 'on the hoof'. I have never taken the train before so today or more correctly, tonight is a first. I have a ticket for the overnight sleeper to Chaing Mai, a 12 hour journey which promises to be busy because of the Loy Krathong Festival and people either returning home or just going to Chiang Mai to celebrate. I have known of the Festival for many years but never seen it, I will now be in the very Heart of where it is celebrated and I am very excited by that. I was very impressed with the journey, aircon carriage with reasonable bunks and good value for money. You can travel cheaper but who wants to sit in a chair that wont recline and be in one position for 12 to 14 hours? No thanks, this is just fine.

Opposite me was another Alison, from Australia but currently living in London and has been there for the past 5 years, we shared and swopped stories and talked for hours. The carriage attendant was quite a large lady, not tall, just large! Actually solid is probably more acurrateand operated with military precision. I have yet to see anyone unhook a bunk, dress a matress and get someone into the bunk in less time. In the blink of an eye it was all done and you knew that bed time was non-negotiable! Once the bed was made you were supposed to disappear behind the curtain, end of story. Well being 'Farang' you can pretend not to understand, you may have gathered that this was not really possible but we still had another bottle of beer to drink so Alison and I stood in the corridor until even we could not put off the inevitable and climbed into our respective cubby holes. I would not say I slept well, but i slept and that was all I needed.

We arrived in Chiang Mai 2 hours late but that didn't matter either as I wasn't booked into my Guest House until 12. Alison was staying elsewhere so we negotiated with a taxi driver to take both of us for one price, which he agreed to do, result! We jumped in the back and off we set. Everything was going well until we got to within about 50 meters of my drop off. A girl traveller stepped off the offside curb and walked straight infront of our taxi. The driver made a very valliant attempt to miss her but with a mighty Thump! we hit her full on. There was another Thai male in the front and between them they lifted the now injured and traumatised girl into the back with us. We tried to comfort her and discovered she was American who had lived in the City for 2 years. She stated that she couldn't get used to cars driving on the wrong side of the road, well you wouldn't after two years, would you! There is another part ot this sorry story but it is not for this medium so ask me about it in due course. The girl was clearly in distress and said that she knew this was going to happen one day, I hope she is alright, at least the driver was taking her to hospital but dropped me first. I last saw Alison sitting in the back of the taxi trying to talk to the unfortunate victim.

I arrived at the Guest house which is fine, not like Baan Dinso, but fine, I have my own facilities and I am ideally situated for all the Temples, markets and various trips around Chiang Mai. It was here that I met Pom who is the Reception Manager, a beautiful young lady and increadibly efficient. Having dumped all my kit I went for a stroll, I am traumatised because I have lost my best Parker pen! Nightmare, I now have to buy a cheap one and as you know, I don't DO cheap! Like the American girl, I knew this was going to happen, no sympathy - please. Well I need a pen otherwise i can't carry on.

See you soon,

Chris