We arrived in Bangkok after a very long dry flight from Egypt, so we were very happy to see all the bars in Bangkok! We stayed in Bangkok for a few nights, visiting a few Wat’s, markets and the Royal Palace. Lots of Chang and good food (fab Dim Sum in Chinatown, thanks Toulla and Mario!) before heading by bus to Ayuthaya where we saw more Wat’s and lots of ruins! We also got to ride an elephant!! At night the place came alive, with street markets and banging techno, it was random but good fun! We were only there for a few nights, so didn’t know if this was normal or a special occasion!
We then travelled by train to Sukhothai and stayed for a few nights. We cycled around the old city which was great fun but very hot! Our accomodation was a wooden shack, but it had air con, so we were happy.
Next was a six hour bus ride to Chiang Mai. We had a brilliant time in Chiang Mai, it is a toned down version of Bangkok and we loved it. Did lots of sight seeing, we hired bikes and went to the zoo and various different areas. On the last day we went ATV driving and whitewater rafting, which was amazing!! Ruth was supposed to drive her own ATV, but after a five minute practice down a hill aiming for the river and her crashing quite a lot, it was decided that it was best for James to drive and Ruth be a passenger! It was over an hours adventure over varying degrees of terrain and very muddy. The rafting was brilliant fun, we were in a boat with a couple of girls from Milton Keynes and we picked up an Aussie on the way who had fallen out of his boat! We hope to go again in another country, but glad we got to do it in Thailand, lots of crazy fun! After a day of activity, Ruth managed to persuade James to go to an Italian restaurant for dinner so she could have WINE!! Oh it tasted good after all that Chang (Ruth wrote this bit!).
We left Chiang Mai last night and traveled by night train (first class private air con booth thanks to our senduspacking gift from Chris and Sarah, thanks guys!!!) and arrived in Bangkok this morning. We’re here for one night, off to Cabbages and Condoms tonight (thanks Dan and Holly 
) and then watching F1 in a sports bar. We fly to Cambodia tomorrow afternoon.
We’ve loved Thailand and have some wonderful memories, but looking forward to the next part of our adventure in Cambodia. We’ll probably not get online again now until we arrive in Oz (27 October we land) so will let you know how we are then.
Various pictures from Thailand below…
At a bar in Bangkok
At Royal Palace - very hot after a massive rain storm!
Lots of golden sparkling things at the Royal Palace!
Large monkey guard at the Royal Palace
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
On an elephant ride around the ruins!
Elephant asking for a tip! Wouldn't take no for an answer
Buddha head embedded in tree, Wat Phra Mahathat.
Wat Phra Mahathat, Ayuthaya
Wat Ratburana - James and a big Buddha
Wat Ratburana - We went down into the crypt of this one!
Enjoying a Chang by the river in Ayuthaya - (thanks for the senduspacking gift Ian, we chose beer over suncream in the end!!).
Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai Historical Park
Cycling around Sukhothai Historical Park
Chiang Mai Zoo - We cycled there hoping to cycle around the zoo, but you can only go around in something that pollutes - car, motorbike, tram...
Monkey!
Whitewater rafting - thank you for the senduspacking gift Matt and Oonagh, as you'll see from the pictures, we had a blast!
We didn't fall out once on the rapids!
Back on solid ground - note James now has the dorky sock!
Hiya you two ….dont know what am commenting on all a little confusing to little old me but the blog is fab fab fab and i have to say James even though you are gorg Ruth is even more gorgy she is the only one in all the photo’s of all random people who is smiling and looks like she is having the best fun ever…..enjoy Aus you lucky lucky pair
love ya xxx
scouse aunty
Hi guys
your photos are amazing, i am soooooooooooooooooooo envious!!! hope Oz is great I am sure it will be, looking forward to the Cambodia shots.
take care babes
Tricia xxxx
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