Where to begin!!!

Ok guys, well I thought I better start a blog instead of sending you all those huge e-mails. So here goes......

Well not gonna chat much about Bangkok as already mentioned it on my last e-mail. Last night in Bangkok we went to the state tower and went to the Sky Bar on the 64th floor. An outside terrace bar with cream couches and views across Bangkok - great fun!

So next stop after Bangkok was Ayuthaya, which is about an hour and a half north of Bangkok. Lonely Planet book was right about the train Station and we were caught by an information girl who tried to steer us to a travel agent for a commission - no fooling us we have the Thai's sussed now no thanks!!! We headed up north on a third class train, very uncomfy seats, but for about 45p each you cant really complain. There are numerous street vendors that go up and down the train selling everything from water to a full meal all for about 30p!!! When we arrived in Ayuthaya is was a short ferry crossing very hot walk - my bag weighs a ton to the hostel. Cute wee Thai place have to take your shoes off everywhere. Great wee Thai lady runs the hostel and would do anything for you - 30p for a can of beer here as well!
This place was much more laid back and peaceful compared to Bangkok. First night we went to the apparently popular Tony's Place. Its a relaxed open air bar full of backpackers. The next day we hired bikes, fully equipped with bells and front baskets. We set off to do a DIY tour of the city sights. It's quite obvious that the main tourist attractions in Thailand cities are the temples or 'wats'! Very impressive, but by now we had seen so many that they kinda all started to look the same. We then headed to see the Elephants being effortlessly controlled by their Thai masters. They were retired elephants that were well looked after. Amazing to be able to touch such huge creatures, they are fascinating to watch. Joe pampered himself with a cut-throat shave and Thai massage today - well worth the whole fiver apparently.
We went to an Ayuthaya light and sound show, which was good fun very colourful with numerous people involved - just didn't understand a word that was said! It was all to do with Thai history.
Ayuthaya has to be the city of dogs there are thousands of them. The howling dogs and the singing cockerel every night still didn't stop us from having good sleeps!

Next stop north was Phitsanulok. 7 and a half hour train journey in third class again, it was hot. No air-con on these trains, but most of the time the windows are wide open so you have a draft. This place is quieter than Ayuthaya, not really much to do here. Dinner on a floating restaurant, great night market, and more temples! We just wandered the city yesterday, relaxing day. Last night we had a traditional Thai foot massage at the night market that lasted a whole hour and cost 1 pound 30p. It was just on the street so you watched the world go by. Local restaurant for dinner, loving the food. Its all quite spicy stuff, but I am managing well, loving the noodles. Chang and Singha beer and spy wine cooler (fizzy wine, rose is the best!) are the drinks of choice at the moment. Today it was a very rally driven drive to Sukothai on a bus, an hour away from Phitsanulok. Again few more temples, but this time in lovely river settings, very peaceful. Actually had enough of temples now.

So, so far everything has been quite relaxed which has been great, experienced a great amount of Thai culture and really enjoyed the places so far. On the move again tomorrow this time to Chiang Mai. Booked into a hostel this time into an 8 bed dorm, could be interesting! Should be a bit more lively up there and cooler. Weather has been roasting, very strange December.