"The Land of Smiles"...

...is the sign that welcomed me to Thailand after a suprisingly painless journey from Felixstowe to Bangkok. I've not quite decided whether the Thai Tourism Department are being ironic, inappropriate or appropriate with their welcoming but what's for sure is whatever experience Bangkok gives you, it will certainly be with a smile.

Having successfully navigated and bartered a journey to Thanon Khao San (or Ko San Road as it's more commonly known) I checked in, dumped my bags and headed out for a Chang Beer (the local stuff). Throughout the night I met a range of people from all over the world with a mixture that included a Colombian, a couple of Norwegians, some Canadians and a Felixstoweian (me). What ensued can only be described as surreal but it included buckets of rum, spring roles, a ride in a Tuk Tuk to watch a game of Ping Pong and then finishing with a cold beer watching the Brilliant Oranje gloriously fail once again against Russia.

But whilst it was all fun, what struck me is that sitting on Ko San Road in Bangkok could equally be sitting on a similar strip in Magaluf, Malia or Corfu.

So today I decided to get a bit of culture inside me and visit some Temples and Palaces. With a map in hand I had the best intentions to walk everywhere but within 5 minutes I was completely lost. However, I was saved by a local Thai teacher who sat me down, marked everywhere I should go and then organised for a Tuk Tuk driver to drive me everywhere for 50 Baht (which is less than 1 quid...unbelievable).

My driver was a guy called Max who's a 19 year old student but works a few weeks in Bangkok to earn some cash. I was driven to the Grand Palace which is where until recently the King Rama IX once lived (he moved to be closer to the people apparently), Wat Pho (the chilled out Buddha who's absolutely massive) and to the Grand Temple where I tried to have a conversation with a few local monks.

As for the food....it's phenomonal! Despite what people say about not eating the street food that's all I've eaten and my stomach's managed to hold up (so far). Things range from grilled haddock, egg noodles and chicken or fresh watermelon in the morning. Again, it's stupidly cheap as well.

Anyway, I'll be staying for a few more days in Bangkok and then heading down South for some rest and relaxation on the idyllic islands.

Until then...

p.s. I haven't worked out how to put photos up yet but I will do soon!