Well I know its taken a week to write anything but thats just me and Mikey for you! We got here safely but were in a bit of culture shock and couldn't quite take it all in at first. The only word I think of to describe Bangkok is BIZARRE. There is such a mix of random things and people, big impressive buildings stand next to little alleyways full of thai people cooking food on tiny little stands - health and safety rules do not apply - dirty holes in the ground with loose electric cables lie outside beautiful hotels. It is most strange indeed. However that does not mean it is not a fun place to be in - just not electrically safe! Anyway we started our trip in a place called Sukhumvit which is quite a nice area of the city. Our hostel, Suk 11, was set back in the road and covered in trees and bushes and plants everywhere and completely made of wood. There were even vines growing along the ceiling of the corrider as you walked to your room. The hostel was full of little hidey holes and nooks and crannies such as a hidden away roof top terrace and a little tree house thing in the lobby. Breakfast everyday was also fab as you know food comes first in my life! Strangely - especially if you know Mikey well - he was up before me everyday nagging me to get up, the time zone obviously did a bit of a personality swap or something. Anyway basically this week we have just been exploring the city mainly visiting parks and shops and things. On wednesday it was the Kings 80th birthday so to avoid all the crowds we decided to go to the zoo to keep out of the way. Being typical of us, the zoo was right next to the kings palace where the mass parade was starting from so we got embroiled in the celebrations after all! This included waving flags and everyone singing the national anthem over and over again. The people here also wear a yellow shirt with 'long live the king' on it and the royal emblem so of course i had to buy one, didnt blend in very well though! Because we were up the non touristy end of town everyone was staring all day at us and pointing and wanting to take our picture. Now we know how Posh and Becks feel! By thursday we had moved to the infamous Khoa San Road, Tashies recommended part of Bangkok. All I can say is Oh My Word. What a place - full of backpackers and crawling with street venders, including children, trying to sell you anythng and everything. I think they would sell their left ball if they thought they could get 10 Baht for it. Apart from the persistent tapping on your shoulder or giant lighter/musical frog/hammock being thrust in your face, this place is amazing. The buzz is fab and its like a non stop party street. In honour of my Tashie I bought a t shirt with Starbucks logo on it. Our hostel here is an absolute dive with bugs and dirty walls, its very difficult to move around a small box without touching the sides, but we managed it with the help of my antibac gel. No actual cockroaches yet but i think i killed a baby one/?woodlouse on Mikeys back during last night. YUCK. Anyway we are off to Chang Mai at 19.30 tonight on a 14 hour sleeper train which should be quite an experience. Thats in north Thailand where we can do the real fun stuff like trekking in the jungle and trying not to be eaten by lions and tigers and bears (boom boom). On that note, we will try not to get eaten and will let you know how it goes. Hopefully I will get to ride a nelliephant hurrah.
Much Love and Kisses
A and M xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
