Hi

I'm now in Bangkok and I'm here for the 4th time actually. I arrived early in the morning and I checked into Lebua at the State tower. I went out to check out the town right away and it didn't take long before I was soaked in sweat...it was 30 degrees + and 80% humidity

The city has grown even more and places like CentralWorld (former World Trade Center) used to be big but now it has been extended and the place is HUGE. I have travelled across town on both the BTS (skytrain) and the subway and it beats getting stuck in traffic. As I have been here before I'm pretty much able to ignore the taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers that are trying to con tourists around the main attractions...but it is still fun to talk to the locals. The Thai are generally very nice and I have been asked several times today where I am from and if I'm here on vacation etc. Most of them are not great when it comes to English but they seem to try at least and that is fun.

I didn't get that much done today as it was pouring down for a couple of hours and I'm jet lagged anyway after coming home from South Africa on Tuesday and then going on to Bangkok on Wednesday.

But it is great to be back in Bangkok and Thailand. It is fun to smell all the different smalls from traffic, from street vendors making food, from incense from wats etc. If you are going to Thailand make sure that you make a few days in stop in Bangkok. It is a city of contrasts, it is a city that can get you stressed...but just relax and walk around and look at the city and I'm sure you will be just as fascinated as I am.

Wish I could be with you as you explore this chaotic city, Gard! I think, on reflection, that I was quite overwhelmed by the contrasts of this huge city.

I would like to visit it again and spend more time just wandering like you are doing.

Have fun!

yes I agree with you: busy, full of wonderful smells, hot, big and so so commercial.... I was there only 1 month ago and absolutely loved it. Enjoy!

I've found December the best time to be in Bangkok. Temperature is OK and instead of being stuck inside over xmas because of the awful weather outside and the shops and anywhere worth going being shut, they are just normal days there.