Hey everyone, we're here. We made it to Bangkok! 11 hours and a dodgey curry on the plane, but we're here in one piece. Its hot over here, so hot. We didn't think it was that bad until we stepped out of the airport into a wall of pure heat.

We took the shuttle bus to Khao San and the minute we got our bags, we were hassled by tuk tuk drivers (tuk tuks being those little motorised 3 wheeled cars) It was quite annoying. But after a while we gave in and the three of us and our backpacks squeezed into the back of this tiny little car. As part of a con, drivers try to recommend taking you to an information centre first, because they get free petrol. We didn't want to do this and after saying no, the driver told us to leave and walk to our hostel. It's the kind of thing you laugh at but it's not really funny.  So we took a taxi and checked in 2 minutes later. We're currently staying at NapPark hostel and are very happy to report that it is lovely, clean and safe. We were a bit surprised to find ourselves in a 24 bed dorm, when we'd booked a 8 bed dorm, but nontheless we love it.  

The first night we just went out for a stroll around the area and tucked into authentic Thai cusine. Twas yummy! Helen and Louise sampled their very first Chang beer. Our hostel is actually a few minutes from Khao san road where all the market, stalls and restaurants are. Bangkok is so busy and there are so many tourists around, that it doesn't really feel like we've left at all.

Yesterday we wanted apply for our Vietnamese visas, so we took a tuk tuk to the embassy... Omgoodness, the roads were gridlocked and motorbikes and tuktuks literally swirved in and out of lanes in between all the cars. Not to stress any of you out, but we were almost crushed by a bus at one point. Otherwise the ride was great fun. Shame that the embassy was closed when we got there... Vietnamese independence day.

We did go out for a little drink in the night and did spot some lady boys about. And I'm not gonna lie.. for men trying to look like women, they were beautiful. We were all pretty shocked by it.

Today we took a tuktuk to see some of Bankgkok's beautiful temples and buddas. It was really interesting. I freed some birds at the buddas feet, so am now blessed with good fortune.. I'm told. For the rest of the day we were dragged around Bangkok by our driver, insisting we visit the tourist information centre, even though we didn't want to go. We didn't buy anthing from the information centre, so he took us to another information centre... and then to a Taylors (one after the other). We didn't want be there, so were in each place for a couple of minutes, clearly not long enough for the driver to get the free petrol. He was pretty mad at us (can you believe it?!) We were meant to go to the floating market, but he took us straight back to Khao San road, mummbling angrily to himself all the way. We ended up paying 150 baht, rather than the agreed 30 baht, but we just be bothered to argue.

Tonight we've taken it easy and strolled around our town. Helen and I had a fish bath. It's where you put your feet in the water and the little fish nibble at the dead skin. It sounds gross I know, but we enjoyed it, though it tickled like mad. And to round it off we've just done our first lot of washing.. important moment of course lol.

Helen is loving everything about Bangkok (except the tuktuks of course). Louise hasn't taken to all of the different smells here, so we've got her some minty balm that she can use. And everyone thinks im Thai... the locals and the tourists. I've been asked a couple of times how much an item is lol!

Anyways tomorrow we're checking into a hotel thats around the corner from us, because its part of our organised trip that takes us up to Chiang Mai. So I best go as it's 1.53am and we need to dry our washing.

Love you and miss you all xxxxx