After a heart- thumping moment, I managed to wake in time for breakfast, even though I had set my alarm for 7pm instead of 7am.  Lucky!

A morning of exploring the treasures of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho left me entertaining daydreams in which the Thais were the inventors of the mirror ball.  The things they can do with small pieces of glass are amazing.  Seriously though, the colour and detail used to decorate these temple complexes was quite a feast for the eyes.

A lazy long-tail boat ride through some of Bangkok’s local canals was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.  Smiling locals waved from wooden houses built out over the water as we puttered past.

Now a flight north is taking me to Chiang Rai, where two more people will join to make our group of nine complete.  Our Thai guide, Anek, will lead us as far as the Lao border tomorrow.