Bonkers in Bangers!

13th - 19th March This is the train to Bangkok - or 'Bangers' as nobody else but us calls it. Unfortunately, as we couldn't book the train from the Perhentian Islands, we were relegated to THIRD class (we didn't even think that was legal anymore!) - so instead of a nice comfy bunk for the night, we shared a bench seat for 22 hours with the locals! The seat has a microscopic covering of foam, so when we arrived we were suffering from major 'bot rot'!

In this picture you can see concern on my face - as a fully qualified train driver, I shouldn't really be at the back of the train. What if something happened to the driver? Who would take over?

This is the infamous 'tuk tuk', it's like an unholy match between a reliant robin and a bus shelter. We rode them a few times, they go flat out no matter how busy the traffic is - very exciting though, especially when you go around a corner so fast and realise that you're only on 3 wheels!

This is part of the biggest market we've ever seen. Chatuchak is the mother of all markets. We stopped for some king prawns and rice (mmmm - gorgeous). Out side the Europeans were dropping like flies in the heat - while we were eating a French woman collapsed and was being carried out in the background and it wasn't because the stuff was so cheap!

Here are some Buddha monks praying in one of the many ancient temples around the City. Of course when these temples were built Thailand was known as.... Tell me for a cup of tea.

This is the infamous Khao San Road. IF you've been to Blackpool you know what this is like. If you look carefully you'll see the English pretending they're in Blackpool - spot the Arsenal lad being propped up by his mates having lost the use of his legs! We went for a look and really enjoyed it - especially the street food which was really good. Elvis also had a haircut and treatment, foot massage and that waxing thing that women do - all for a very reasonable price.

In Thailand they do everything on a stick! Chicken, sausage, fruit, corn, fish - anything. But this is taking things a little too far - An ENGINE on a stick!

Another Buddha - in the land of a million Buddhas. One of the Buddhas was covered in a stucco plaster, when they moved it in the 1960's, they dropped it and the plaster broke off revealing a solid gold Buddha underneath!

This is the 'Reclining Buddha' - we're thinking of converting to Buddhism after seeing this - it's the lying around bit that appealed to us!

This is Lumphini Park, where some very odd goings on go on. This is a free participation daily aerobics class. Just as many people come to spectate (us) as to participate (not us).

Here's a more sedate area of the park, where weary tourists can escape the noise of the city for a little while and relax, or even practice their new religion, in the style of the reclining Buddha of course.

Sunset in the very same park.

A splendid view from the top of Wot (temple) Arun. The more observant of you may notice that the model on the right is sporting a new set of shades! Not that the 'fly' or 'earth re-entry shields' have been ditched - just adding to our extensive wardrobe.

Looking along the Mae Nam Chao Phraya river from the top of Wot Arun.

A view of the temples along the river side including Wot Arun - again!

Well done to Anonymous (was that you Schmenny?) with the id on the animal in the Taman Negara blog - it is indeed a slow Loris. Bonus piece of cake with that madam.

Shirley, you will be awash with tea if you keep this up. Yes the islands translate to 'small' and 'large'. I'm going to have to think of more difficult ones.

A quick update to where we are right now. We're in Chiang Mai, which is North Thailand. I (Keith) have just completed a Thai cookery course and we're both off to the mountains for a two day trek tomorrow - all of this is of course for another blog though!!

Hello to Sharon (nee Barton) in Stoke - your sister Jayne tells us you've been checking in on us - hope you're enjoying the carry on!! You can send us a comment if you like, just click the blue 'Comment' at the end of a post. We'd love to hear from you.