One week in...

So I've now been on the road for a full week! It's been great so far. The hostel at Lub D was great, met some really nice peopl and would recommend for a sociable scene (although some unsociable arse stole my camera battery whilst it was charging on my bed...) Bangkok was totally crazy but I enjoyed it for what it was:

Tuesday 25: temples, the Grand Palace (green budha) was pretty errrr grand. Lots of sights and sounds, enjoyed hearing all the prayers and the incense and everything. Visited this with Gerhardt and Douw from the hostel. From here experienced hao San road by both day and night - first taste of noodles was a good one. Got a tuk tuk ride down to Siam (which is a really nice district, feels much cleaner and generally nicer that the Khao San road area) then back to the hostel. Ended up that night after a few singha beers at Japanese Karaoke place in a little booth witrh Mark, Liz and Rich... several hours later, one tower and with very hoarse voices after belting out such classics as first cut is the deepest and backstreet boys we ended up in the craziest taxi ride ever... no no no no khao san road, ohhhhhhhh noooooooo! Hahaha. Ended up getting ther but an ear bashing from the taxi man all the way because he wanted to take us 'off meter'. A short time for dancing, and chilli meat stick the we were back to the hostel.

Wednesday 26: Had a lie in - jetlag hit! Had breakfast at my first street food stall and met a nice ex-pat guy who is now living and working here. Got some interesting insights into his life. Went with Liz to market near siam and got a nice bag with elephant on it. Market seemed more for locals and dingy in parts but was nice to see the local way (a couple of cool haberdashery shops and cobblers) Went from here to a shopping mall then went to try and find a camera/ battery as mines playing up. centralworld shopping plaza is crazy big, I got so lost. Walking bacvk through Lumpini park, saw local joggers (who go round and round and round...) and outdoor gym! Got lost again (are you seeing a trend here?!) but finally ended up at hostel. Went out for diner with Liz and Alex (both college of law baker mckenzie trainees) and had my first pad thai! Cheap charlies was good for a beer.

Thursday 27th: Liz and I decided to travel to Kanchanaburi together as we both wanted to go. street stall pork rice for breakfast then taxi to southern bus terminal. Buses every 15 mins and an aircon local bus for 77bht (1.50) coming in a two hours. was a comfortable and straightforward ride. Arrived mid-afternoon and got a ride to the main hostel stretch. CChecked in the jollyfrog guesthouse: 290 bht a night for the two of us in twin room (thats about 2.50 each a night) and the perfect location ride on the riverside with a floating raft with tables and chairs on it. Watched the sunset over the mountains and river. Pretty heavenly! Went on a stroll to the POW cemetary and Chinese cemetary. Went to apple guesthouse for dinner which was pricey (well, at 2quid a dish still can't complain!!) and average food - the food at the jollyfrog is better. Went to a couple of bars and had a first taste of the 10 bht whiskey lady's roadside bar,,, Amazing sitting on barrels by the side of the road drinking local samsong (whiskey) and coke for 20p!

Friday 28th: Booked a tour up to Erawan waterfalls, a 7 tiered waterfall in national park. It was amazing!! quite tricky getting through at parts and some scrambling required. Swimming in the waterfalls was lovely and there are little fish in there that eat the dead skin off your fet - a really odd but strangely relaxing sensation. Liz and I were glad we hadn't paid for this experiece in BKK as it was on ffer there. Lunch pad thai. Then a ride on the Death Railway buit by POWs before heading back for a shower. Sat and watched sunset with a chang beer then got ready for the sound and light festival. Thankfully and coincidentally we were in town for this reenactment of the bombing of bride on river kwai. We decided to walk down to late show at 9pm. Was all in thai so couldn't understand but there were some pretty impressive firworks and recreatons near the end. Went back down towards jollyfrog and to a few bars (whiskey lady again) played yeeee haaaaarh with som of the local guys we met (Joe, Day and another whose name I forget) and two teachers on a weekend away from BKK (cleo and orla) Went over the road to Sugars bar and discovered Day was also a couch surfer. Chatted away until the early hours (4am) - some really awesome people, hope to see again.

Sat 29th: Lazy day sorting stuff out (after lie in) Headed back to BKK and got a hotel on Khao san. Went to street stall for tea then a few bards Hippie de bar was good, gullivers then dance at 'the club'.

Sun 30th: Luz left for Koh Phagnan this morn so was on my own again. Tried to sort out my vastly stuffed bag. decided to walk down to station which took forever. Saw the golden mount which had cool view over city. Had a poorly tummy today and not been feeling great!! Oh well about time it hit me I guess. Got a new camera battery at Siam Paragon centre, the river boat back to Khao San. Off to Chiang Mai on the night train tonight, better go actually it leaves in a few hours. Hopefully a trekk in the next few days.

Balls in Bangkok

So, I have arrived here in Bangkok without too much drama. Despite previous phobia of flying my mnc-heathrow and hrow to BKK went smoothly. I think I am cured! Met a nice girl Emma on my Manc-LHR who was living in Wellingon, NZ and she offered me a place to stay with her. First steps onto Qantas I think showed me up as a novice however, as I ws unsure what to think of complimetary accompaniments. After meagre supper I fell asleep listening to my ipod and awoke to find my plates cleared, tray stowed and a blanket over myself, that's service! Met a nice sarf africn couple travelling to Laos before landing in Bangkok... thankfully banking up 5 hours kip I didn't feel too shabby. Cleared immigration and decided to navigate the buses, at 150 baht (about 3 quid) to the hostel and super organistion I thought it wasa safe bet. However, I got ahead of muself and left the bus one stop early in Silom... got incredibly lost and approached na 'britsh' looking couple who helped me to get even more lost over the course of the following hour. Finally, after a trip through the red light district (to be visited again later) I got to my hostel (Lub D) and it was a crazy few hours from arrival... met so many people I've forgottern all of their names, been sweaty as hell, drank several beers (local Singha is goooood) been to pingpong (don't ask for details!) a gig and several bars before getting back to the hostel. So far, so good! Probs hitting tourist hotspots tomorrow, fancy the floating market... and some food!!! I've been here nearly 10 hours and I've eatena bagof salmon flavour crisps. Need some hot tasty noodlesin my life... so hungryyyyyyyyy. mmmmmm. night night xxx