Stevenjking.co.uk

So two days in Bangkok have gone well. Not sure if it is my type of place, with the constant hassling you get from Tuk-Tuk drivers trying to find out where you are going so that they can take you there and also to places that you don’t want to go so that they can get a reward for taking you there.
Driving regulations seem to be almost non existent. The light can be green for a pedestrian crossing but you will still get cars jumping the red lights and passing in front of you, especially if they are turning left. Mopeds driving the wrong way down a lane of traffic, on the pavements and even down the little gaps between market stalls all seem to be a regular.
Am currently taking the night train to Chiang Mai. It should be a good way not to waste a day, and also save a nights stay at a hostel. I will probably get a day time train back so that I can see what the darkness currently outside my window looks like.
Slightly concerning is the fact that one of the train staff needs to carry a handgun with him, hopefully it will keep us safe. Anyway the conductor has just come and set my seat into the night time position, so I should probably try and get some sleep.

Just under two weeks to go now.

I have sorted the visas that I require, or at least I don’t think I need to sort any more. I was told by the travel agent that I would only need to get a visa for Australia, which was a simple case of filling some details into an online form. However with some research it appeared that I would also require a visa for Thailand, as although you are able to enter for 30 days under the visa exemption system this requires you to have a ticket for a flight leaving Thailand within the 30 days which I don’t have as I am going to be making my way overland to Singapore. So whilst I was in London helping out with Freshers Week I went and sorted out a tourist visa at the Thai embassy which is on Queensgate opposite Imperial.
I have also booked my first two nights accommodation in Bangkok, after that I am planning on heading north to Chiang Mai where I will spend a few days and try and hopefully go on a few day trek. Then plan will be to return to Bangkok and then start making my way south down the peninsula towards Malaysia and Singapore.

There are still however many things that I need to sort out over the next week.

I have been talking about the idea of going traveling after finishing at Imperial for a while now. Well I have now booked my Round the World Trip, and will be departing on the 26th October following graduation on the 24th.

The route will see me flying to Bankok, then making my way overland to Singapore before moving onto Australia, where I shall be for Christmas and New Year. I will then visit Newzeland before making another overland trip, this time between Santiago Chile and Lima Peru. I will then be making my way back to the UK for the 7th April.

Hopefully I will remember to keep a record of my trip here as it progresses, and I am sure there will be a lot of photos that will be uploaded over the 5 1/2 months.