Since arriving in Bangkok we loved every minute of it, it's such a bizarre place with lots to do and places to see. Getting around Bangkok is easy with lots of tuk tuks and taxis but you literally have to just close your eyes or you would have a panic attack at how they drive. There don't seem to be any rules of the road and kids of about 15 are whizzing round on motorbikes weaving in and out of the traffic and fumes! Even I could pass my test in Bangkok ha ha.

We stayed at the Grand China Princess hotel in Chinatown which was near to many of the sights and is where a lot of locals go to do their business so there are many many shops selling gold and street stalls selling food (which stink). Bangkok is a bit grubby really but you kind of overlook this because there is so much to do. The hotel had a revolving restaurant on the top floor which we thought would be cool for Valentine's Day...we went upstairs and booked the table and the Thai lady said it was 600 baht (about a tenner) each including 2 free cocktails. So we went on the night and there was a Thai man on the piano playing the slushiest songs possible but it was a nice night. I asked the lady what we were allowed to order and she said anything (which I thought was weird). Steven said he would pay for the meal which I was very glad of when the bill came and it was aboout 2400 baht!!! Turns out the 600 baht was just to allow us to sit in there because it was Valentines ha ha. Not the greatest when our budget is about 800-1000 baht per day.

Since arriving we have visited the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) which is a shrine to the Emerald Buddha and the temple complex adjoins the former residence of the Monarch, the Grand Palace. Just around the corner we saw Wat Pho which is the largest reclining Buddha and it's a pretty amazing sight. I was given a shrug to cover my shoulders and chest as a sign of respect. It is easy to be 'charmed' when visiting any of the popular tourist attractions here. Whilst wandering round outside the Palace a 'friendly' guy approached us and started telling us he worked for the temple and wanted no money from us as he had his own. He just wanted to help show us the sights on the map (yeh right). Within a few minutes he had a guy with a tuk tuk by our side offering to take us to all 3 temples/Buddha's for 20 baht (about 25-30 pence). I was boiling hot thinking that this sounded like a plan but Steven said no. He has been here before...seems they offer to take you to see sights for this little but then detour to shops along the way where you are convinced to buy things you don't want. He said his mate last time bought a full suit ha ha. The shop owners then give the tuk tuk drivers free petrol.Lucky escape!

On our second night here we went to the Khao San Rdfor tea and a few drinks and saw a great band. It was a good experience to go to the Khao San Rd but it's a bit hippyish for me....full of people wearing dreads and tye dye tops ha ha. It's a fun place though and we had a good night there and for people who arrive in Bangkok with nowhere to stay for the night, this is the place to go as there are lots of hostels. My favourite night was our night out in the 'sex capital' Papong. We went just to experience it really as Sonia my friend from work had told me so many stories. On our way there a taxi driver tried to take us to a dead end where others locals were waiting to 'show us round'....bit scary but when we asked him to turn round he did and he eventually let us out the taxi! Papong was a real eye opener! There is a great night market running through the middle with go go bars either side. We took it easy at first and had a drink watching Bngkok's answer to the Black Eyed Peas before biting the bullet and going inside a go go bar. It was okay at first, we sat and ordered a drink whilst watching about 15 girls dance around poles on a stage in black bikinis. I was feeling a little bit weird so I made the stupid mistake of smiling at the girls. Within 5 minutes they had swapped dancing with the other set of girls waiting and we had three half naked women sat in a booth around me and Steven ha ha. It's kind of expected that you then buy then a drink so we did and were just chatting away to them, then I felt a hand on my knee....oh no, this I was not comfortable with. So I showed her a rose Steven had just bought off a guy in the street. Seemed to work phew. We chatted to them about their 5000 baht a month wage and found out that the 23 year old girl (who put her hand on my knee) had had a baby girl when she was 14 to a Thai man, who slashed her leg (she showed me the scar). Then we talked about her stretch marks and how she had a natural birth, it was very surreal. I asked them if they liked what they did and they genuinely seemed to. There were a few who looked so unhappy it made me uneasy, but on the whole these three with us were really nice and seemed to be having fun.

Intrigued, we then went into another go go bar which seemed a bit more happening. Again the same set up and when I went the toilet I came back to find a girl draped around Steven who looked frightened ha ha. When I went to my seat I thought this would deter her, but no. She just chatted to us while we bought her a drink. Then when I went the bar, Steven tiold me later that she flashed her boob at him and demanded 100 baht! The barmaid was also throwing ice at him demanding 100 baht, the poor boy got fleeced that night. The highlight of the night for me was when Steven looked like a ghost sat at the bar because a lady was sat on his knee wearing a thong....I say lady but I mean ladyboy ha ha. That was enough fun for one night so we headed home .... a little shocked :)