Back in Bangkok

So back to Bangkok, two and a half years since our last trip took us through here several times. I remember stepping off the plane the first time I visited Bangkok, about nine years ago, and finding the city like a cultural slap in the face. This time round it's more like putting on an old pair of slippers.

Just to start the trip with a bit of drama we were chased out of heathrow by the encroahing snow storms, we had a delay of an hour whilst some bloke in a cherry picker came round and de-iced our wings but given what happened over the next 24 hours I think we got out just in time.

Our enjoyment of Bangkok has increased immensly since we worked out that it's actually a lot easier to get round the city if you don't stay in Banglamphu, the main backpacker area.

We stayed for two nights just off Sukhumvit road, a bustling if slightly seedy expat area in the centre of the city. A flying visit but just enough time to do some shopping for beachwear at the huge MBK shopping centre, sort out some travel plans to get to Kho Pha Ngag and catch Avatar in 3D at the cinema .

Next stop - overnight sleeper train to Chumporn and 5 weeks on a paradise island, it's tough stuff but someone's got to do it.

The city around our guesthouse

Bangkok at night - see what I've done here shutter speed fans, next time I might even remember my tripod and get some real funky images