Bangkok 27th - 28th January 2014

After a lot of complications about flights and returning to the airport twice due to delays on our flight we managed to get onto a Bangkok flight on the 27th. We were also delayed 2 and a half hours so we began to think we were destined not to get here. Luckily the flight itself wasn't too long but we didn't mid as we were soaking up the luxuries that Business class had to offer - not to mention the endless glasses of champagne! We arrived into Bangkok at around 1:30 am local time and finally settled into our hotel at 2:30. We were definitely ready for a good night sleep but as Rob dosed off...Katrien struggled to sleep with the noise of the city that doesn't sleep (and doesn't stop hooting their horns either!!) but our hotel is lovely though and we have explored all aspects - including the 21st floor roof which gave us a fantastic view of the city!!

Today we took it upon ourselves to explore the city. We started off in a Tuk Tuk and asked them to take us to the Golden Buddha - we were dropped off and quickly directed to somewhere across the road - The Buddha was nowhere to be found. We then found a lovely little restaurant where we had a early lunch ( we missed breakfast as Katrien discovered the ear plugs and got some sleep) and we discussed the gender of a waiter/waitress. We also asked the staff - the only one with a slight bit of English about how to get to the Golden Buddha and she loosely directed us to a taxi. After refusing 2 taxis we opted again for a Tuk Tuk. The driving out here is an experience in itself.. There seems to be no rules. Our driver was weaving in and out of traffic (he was a skilled traffic dodger) and we were whizzing around Bangkok. He took us to a temple (not where the Golden Buddha was) and we have no idea what it was called but it was beautiful and we took lots of pictures. Our driver said he would wait for us and take us to two other temples, we immediately became suspicious. When we got back in he said he wanted to take us to his sponsor to get a stamp for his free petrol and we turned up to a back alley knock off shop where we can only assume was his way to con us! We swiftly gave him the money and walked away!

After our little miss hap with the Tuk Tuk driver we were both skeptical about them and the Taxi drivers as they refuse to use their meter and just want us tourists to pay, so instead we opted for the good old fashioned way of walking. We walked what felt like the whole of Bangkok and all that its bustling streets had to offer. We were surprised at how laid back the vendors were and you could buy anything from a fake wallet to cutlery for next to nothing. We also encountered the protests and for the whole day we were uncertain about what they were protesting about until we read about it on the internet. Luckily it is all very peaceful and the majority of people just want you to buy a 'set Bangkok Free' T-shirt. We had a brilliant day walking around but we definitely need a sit down and maybe a nice Thai foot massage after all that walking!

Tomorrow we will be joining our Tour and will keep you updated on our next steps!!

(we're not missing you all too much yet)

Lots of Love Katrien and Rob xxxxxxx