Joe's guest blog - Back by popular demand

Before I start on Thailand, I just wanted to announce to the world that Sri Lanka has by far the nicest airport security staff in the entire world.  They smile, ask you to have a nice day, and start amicable conversations about their current cricket tour of England.  When I confidently announced I expected England to win the Series he ushered me through with a big grin.

Thailand is an all together different experience.  The way they stare at you makes you begin to feel you have a kilo of heroin up your bum.  This made me quite paranoid.  I began to deduce who would have been able to find  time to plant class A drugs on me while I was asleep and I realised it could only have been Kate.  I suddenly became very irrationally angry with Kate.  I mean if they had found the drugs I would probably have been executed.  I thought it was a little selfish.  

Back in Bangkok.  I feel that something has happened to this city since I was last here 4 years ago.  It seems, well, much nicer.  I began to wonder how this could be when the only thing of note to happen in Bangkok (that made it to the UK media anyway) was mass rioting and Marshall law.  Now I am not an expert but I would presume Bangkok is the only city to have improved in such conditions ( I am sure the amateur psychologists among you will think it is probably me that has changed due to being older wiser and having just spent 6 weeks on the sub-continent.  I think that is nonsense.).

Khao San Road never ceases to amaze me.  The sensation it has thrust on me is one of feeling very old.  We all know that 18 year olds look younger every year but the batch on Khao San Road look like actual infants.  I saw one girl smoking and ran up to her, stole the cigarette from her mouth, and asked to speak to her parents (I didn't.  But I wish I had and it is much better in these blogs to stretch the truth for dramatic effect).  I am sure this is going to cause a rousing chorus of ' you don't know what old is' and 'old? You have no idea' etc.  

Generally it is great.  Kate can wear any clothes and not be stared at like she suddenly turned purple and we can get a beer anytime (nice after 8 weeks of random closing times).  We may go and do something.  We may not.  The great thing about this week is that neither of us were that bothered about it so anything we do is an additional bonus.

Off to go sit by the pool.  Enjoy the office!