No matter how many times you see Bangkok in films, documentaries or video clips it is still a shock to the system when you arrive, from the noise, volume of bikes and people to the huge array of smells, you immediately realise you have stepped far beyond the usual European holiday destination.

During the 4 days here our activities included:

Pip had her first foot massage

Visited the huge MBK centre full of knock off clothes, bags and shoes, with lots of “secret shops”

Took a river boat trip to see the big buddha

Ate at lots of street food markets

Saw how Khao San Road had changed (too old for that place now)

Visited the reclining Buddha at Wat Po

Wandered around Chinatown

Enjoyed a very spicy jungle curry for breakfast for about 70p which had a significant impact on my digestive system (not ideal as we were on the way to a cooking class)

Had a tuktuk ride so I could see both fear and joy on Pip’s face

Did a Thai cooking class which culminated in a mango rose making contest (chalk up a win for man and if you ever see Pip with a knife please take it off her)