Bangkok

In a word Bangkok was cool. It was more developed than Vietnam and Cambodia so it was nice to see a more Western landscape as we near the half way point of the trip. It had all the mod-cons of a capital.. Shopping Malls, McDonalds, Starbucks and some crazy traffic but still retained cool Thai aspects such as pink taxis, endless tuk-tuks and some yummy street food (Pad Tai to be specific!)

Our first day was spent on Khoa San Road, shopping, booking trips and an exit plan. To get there we took the river boat, an excellent mode of transport, it goes right through the centre of Bangkok showing the sites from a cool breezy vessel!

Khoa San is a pretty buzzing place when everyone's around. There are lots of stalls with the infamous 'missy what you like' calls, lots of open bars and restaurants pumping tunes and lots if travel agencies, all giving the 'best deal', obviously! We took full advantage of all Khoa San Road had to offer while in Bangkok, somehow ending up there everyday!

We also ventured into China Town.. Now this was an experience! Not one for the faint hearted, or for those who suffer from heat stroke, claustrophobia, or osmophobia (fear of smells, for those who don't know!). We've been to some places on this trip but I have to say China Town Bangkok had the largest amount of people per cm, the most bizarre smells and a temperature to rival even the Cu Chi Tunnels! We only lasted two hours before getting a tuk tuk to take us to the nearest air conditioned location! But it was still cool to see it all.

Speaking to a Swiss couple we met, they told us about MBK, a large shopping mall that literally had everything in the world.. legitimate or fake. Of course, we had to go. I have to say, being two 19 year old girls, we're pretty good at shopping, but even we were overwhelmed! When I say it had everything.. I mean it had everything! iPads, dog food, jewellery, edible bugs copious amounts of clothes, shoes and handbags (even fake Christian Lousboutins!!) We took advantage of the pirate DVDs on sale but apart from that were a little too shopped out to get anything else!

Our hostel (Saphaipae) was one of the best yet. It had everything a traveller would need, a laundry room, a large socialising area, a restaurant, a TV room and the dorms were extremely clean and spacious.

All in all Bangkok is what you'd expect as the capital! A definite must do if you're ever in the vicinity!

Lots of love

T & H

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