Bangkok

Bangkok is massive and I felt totally lost there. Managed to get my bearings on the second day and went to look at the sights before I got the bus to Chiang Mai in the evening. On the way to the Grand Palace I ended up getting hustled! It was absolutely seamless and before I had time to think about what was going on I had shelled out about 30 pounds for a boat ride around Bangkok. I am lucky in that it could have been a lot worse but it definitely put a bit of a downer on Bangkok as I felt like I couldn't trust anyone there.

The Grand Palace was packed with tourists, you couldn't move without getting in someone's photograph. The emerald Buddha was cool but there were guards kind of patrolling the room telling people off for pointing their feet at it or having a camera out; not exactly conducive to a spiritual experience. Got out of the Grand Palace pretty quick and went to have a look at Wat Pho. There were far fewer tourists here and it was absolutely beautiful. Saw the reclining Buddha and had some time to chill out before my 12 hour bus ride to Chiang Mai.

The bus ride was the best one I'd had yet. I booked the ticket through a travel agent in Koh San Road. After booking the ticket I read in the Lonely Planet that the tourist bussed often under-deliver and get robbed so was a bit paranoid before getting on. It ended up being a bus just for tourists; there were some Germans, Israelis, one Japanese dude and a guy from Iceland. The bus wasn't even quarter full so everyone could lie down and get some sleep. Was also cheaper than the regular buses which are always full... landed in Chiang Mai at 7am.