Update from Bangkok

Post from Jan 12 - OK, some of you may have already had this by email. Only just posting it now, as I've only just set up my blog.

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I'm having a ball in Bangkok - already wishing I'd allowed more time in Thailand.

Spent yesterday afternoon soaking up the atmosphere in Banglamphu, the main backpacker district. In the evening I travelled right over to the other side of town to this amazing vegetarian place - Tamarind Cafe - recommended by Richard. Food was great, I think it's one of the best veggie places in Thailand.

Afterwards, I did a quick crawl of the gay bars in Patpong, also home to plenty of lurid go-go bars... and surprisingly good late nightshopping. If only I had more space for tat! my bags would be overflowing. I tried to get into the one banging-looking gay club, butthey turned me away in my flip-flops (Debs and Neil know this scenario all too well...). I'm going to try again tonight :)

Today I got up really late again, but I'm surprised how much I got done - one of the benefits of travelling alone. I walked all across the centre of the city and got to grips with the river boat system. Had a quick look at the palace and attached temple and spent severalhours squeezing through thronged market alleys in Chinatown - so cool! I felt like i was in and Indiana Jones movie. I've got some greatpics! tho the woman with the fried roaches and maggots made me put my camera away ;(

I've eaten enough unknown, yet great fruit to make myself sick... andthe food from street stalls is so so cheap! been getting lunch or dinner for much less than a quid.

This evening I had the most amazing Thai massage.. really an experience. Something like a cross between a very relaxing thing and having the crap beaten out of you by an old lady. I'm glowing now though. it was very thorough. No happy ending though, thank god.

Right I'm shortly off to check out this bar - Vertigo Bar - that's on the roof of a scyscraper hotel, and then to try out that club in Patpong again.

I'm going to the floating markets early tomorrow morning, a huge ruined city north of Bangkok called Ayutthya on Sunday. And not sure... but I think I'll fly down to Ko Samui on Monday so I can get to Ko Pha Ngan for the Black Moon party (rave on the beach) on Thursday. Then diving in Ko Tao late next week.

J