Bangkok

The first major part of the trip would be Vietnam, which I would do with a couple of mates from Limerick, but I decided to spend a few days in BKK before hand for the hell of it.

Bridge over River Kwai

I still had vivid memories of the city from a holiday here two years ago and it hasn't changed much, apart from a little price inlfation. Got in on Saturday night wanting to hit the ground running, so after I checked into my guest house I went to Gulliver's on Khao San Rd for something to eat and a bit of pool. Waited ages to get my game only to be quickly disposed of by some broad who couldn't half put a few pots together.

Nice Kitty...

Any concerns about going out "lone ranger style" were soon allayed after I reached Tapas, a club I remebered in the Silom district. This cosy Morrocan-themed club has separate DJ's mixing beats on two floors, with a couple of guys playing live bongo drums over the top on the second floor. Not too many clubs you can arrive alone in and have a great night enjoying the surroundings and happily chat away to genuine Thai people.

Plenty of other pubs, clubs, markets and sights in BKK to while away a few days. And when your knackered, a couple of euro for a Thai foot massage is money very well spent!

Also went on a day trip to Kanchaburi, 2 hours northwest of BKK to see the bridge over the river Kwai, which was built by POW's in WW2. Then checked out some nearby waterfalls and the Forest Monestery Tiger Temple, where we got to pet the tigers! Although it doesn't look like it from the photo, the tigers were tethered with chains. Even if they weren't, it didn't look like they'd have the energy to do anything to you.

Waterfall