Bangkok for the final time

25 – 26th February

Arriving back in Bangkok felt a little bit like coming home. We made our way across the city like locals and headed to Rhiannon’s flat to re-pack our bags. Ben and Alison had very kindly purchased and carried bike helmets and gloves from home and we were keen to try them out. They gloves fitted like a glove and strangely so did the helmets… the superior quality, design and weight, after the many crappy Asian helmets we’d tried on brought happy smiles to our faces. Plans of how we would be able to get on a motorbike in India were finally coming to life.

With 101 things to do we powered on after our sleepless night. Ady needed to get the all clear from the hospital before the insurance company would agree to insure us for our time in India. Thankfully all was well, but not before the doctor dispensed some more pink sweeties. We googled them up this time and they turned out to be none other than milk thistle!

Whilst Ady rushed around, posting half our life home (we were now down to one 20kg bag, perfect for bike touring) Sam spent some time in the hairdressers, and finally managed to convince someone to cut it all off. Several inches shorter, the end result was definitely more suited to a city fashionista than scummy traveller. Still…if it could be concealed under a bike helmet and attract fewer undesirables!

Top Traveller Tip #17 – Downsize your luggage! If you are heading off on a trip, buy a 30 litre pack and make do with what will fit inside. We starte d with two 60 litre packs and two 15 litre day packs. Now we have one 60 litre pack and 1 day pack. We have our hands free again! You only need minimum clothing, and shoes are a waste of time. 1 pair of flip flops can get you everywhere.

After 6 months in South East Asia it was strange to move on, but we were both ready for a change, and by this stage, hopefully prepared for the mental and physical headache that is India!