It’s been a great 4 days, and I have realised that ( against my Anglo Saxon Protestant upbringing) it is not a sin to read a novel in the morning. Sit and have a coffee , or beer, and watch the world go by.

The difficulty in walking anywhere, apart from the heat, and really most of what I wanted to see in the old city is in walking distance, is that every tuk-tuk driver thinks you’re mad to walk and asks “you want shoppeeng!” No, I don’t want shopping, I like walking. If you do say you’ll take their tuk-tuk, they insist you go shoppeeng, as they get petrol coupons from these emporia. If they don’t like the price you suggest, they get a city map out and show you it’s a long way and petrol is expensive. But anyway an air conditioned taxi is only pence more, or sometimes less! without the unwanted retail opportunity.

Yesterday I went to a town with a long unpronounceable name to see the floating market. I love white knuckle rides, but only at Alton Towers where I know it’s safe. I don’t like it when the mini bus is driven at about 80 plus mph, and so near the vehicle in front you can see the hairs on the back of that driver’s neck. ( I was told today these guys all do double shifts so are on amphetamines, swallowed down with red bull to keep themselves awake). Any way after 90 minutes of this the floating market was interesting, really only a tourist attraction now, with plenty of, yes you’ve guessed it, shoppeeng. But a good photo opportunitee.

Bangkok certainly wins my food award. 4 days of the best most delicious food I’ve ever eaten, and sometimes for less the a quid. And I still haven’t had street food!

Off tomorrow, 8 hour coach journey, ( I’ll try not to think about the driver’s drug habits) to Ko Chang and practice becoming a beach bum. Get the mask and snorkel out of my suit case at last.