I managed to meet the boys yesterday (thank goodness)and it was time to take on Bangkok city centre. We managed to find a good youth hostel (Siam Oriental); well, it has beds and a/c at least!
The hostel is located on Khao San Road, which can only really be described as a caricature of backpackers fare, with streets lined with henna artists, travelling style clothes, and people trying to persuade you to buy every tour and service under the sun.
To explore the rest of the city we hired a tuk tuk - one of the brightly painted, three wheeled 'cardboard boxes' which fill the streets here. Our driver took us around the city (which really is not that much to write home about, actually!) and showed us several pretty impressive golden buddhas. It then became clear that he was trying to get us to buy things in the shops he took us to visit in return for petroleum coupons from them. We ended up in China town (again, nothing to write home about)and headed back here for a Thai massage. Possibly one of the most brutal experiences of my life, I think nana has a contender for strongest hands! For about two quid you really cannot complain!
The food and the filth are really staggering. Colin has not really travelled before and if there was such a thing as culture shock, he has a nasty case of it! I had pretty bad stomach ache last night so def going to take it easy today. It is very difficult to find things which are safe and hygenic to eat, we were brave and tried some noodles yesterday but think mcdonalds breakfast lunch and dinner are in order!
Today we are going to check out downtown Bangkok, hopefully nicer than uptown Bngkok, and go in search of some hardcore amulets!
Anyhow we hope to escape the humidity, the filth and the seedy life tonight and catch the overnight train to Chiang Mai, for elephants, mountains and more temples!
Having a fab time, lots of long time love to everyone!
P.S Mum this will make you laugh, I found my white poppy dress on sale on a street corner for about four quid!!!
