After 2 flights, I arrived blurry eyed in Bangkok. I spent the first night in an airport hotel, then when into the city to stay at Niras Bangcok cultural hostel, a hostel above a nice coffee shop. As predicted struggled with the heat with temperatures at 39 degrees, making even short walk turn into a sweat out. Still, nice not to be layers of clothes like in New Zealand.
 
   
I spent a day exploring Khao San road and the surrounding streets. This is the famous backpacker street, lined with hostels, street stalls, bars and shops, dodgy tuk-tuk drivers and pushy suit salesman. The street is a sight to see, full with neon lights and even a Boots the chemist slotted inbetween knock-off good stalls. You can buy some interesting items here, including a mix of fake documentation from around the world (e.g. uk driving licenses). Despite the rumours of scam city, this street wasn't too bad to walk along as you don't stop to shake the hand of a pushy tailors or accept a 10bht ride from a tuk-tuk driver insisting the street is about to close for cleaning. After lots of hiking in New Zealand I couldn't resist a foot and leg massage, especially as 30minutes was only 100bht (£2). A Thai message felt amazing on my sore feet and honestly it was only a massage, no 'happy ending'.

The highlight of Bangkok was meeting up with an old school friend, Rob, who moved to Bangkok 6years ago to teach English. We went to a few bars to catchup and enjoyed an authentic Thai meal. Its great having a friend who speaks fluent Thai! It was really nice hanging out and
seeing the non-tourist side of Bangkok. It will be nice to meet up with Rob again at the end of my trip.

One morning I went to the Grand Palace, which is a huge complex containing many government buildings, royal mansions and the Emerald Buddha temple. The architecture is amazingly elaborate, with walls lined with jem stones and gold leaf. Enjoyable place to walk around
for an hour or two.

After 4days I meet up with my friend from the UK, Marcus and his friend Jo. These will be my traveling partners for the next 16days. We went to Khao Sak road, enjoyed another masssage, drinks and a nice Thai meal.

Really enjoying being in Thailand, despite a few language difficulties (e.g. getting taxis), Bangkok has felt safer than expected, is very cheap and is refreshingly different to Australia and New Zealand. Enjoying taking in all the small things, from the stray dogs roaming the streets, crazy roads where a green man doesn't mean much, a whole family squashed onto a motor bike without helmets and rice for breakfast.