Bangkok - the jetlagged post

13 hours on a plane, a brief midnight stopover in the Middle East (Amman, Jordan: alright in the dark) and we've finally made it to Bangkok. I have been awake for the best part of 31 hours, everything's swaying slightly.

Sarah and I started the holiday in the only way we know how: with a large cocktail at Heathrow. Hilarity ensued at Amman when I thought the security guard was detaining me and my passport, when really he was attempting a bit of a chat-up. Note to males: women who have been up for hours and are almost maternally protective of their passports do not respond well to casual flirtation.

The flight was predictably suicide-inducing, but Bangkok airport was impressively well-managed, and we were through immigration and out the door with our bags within an hour of touchdown. Even the swine-flu prevention masks that many service staff have adopted did nothing to dampen our excitement (we decided they don't work anyway).

Having arrived at our hotel around 5pm local time, we checked in and headed to the room. Fortunately I'd managed to grab 3 or 4 hours sleep on the flight, but Sarah's crashed out, taking a quick nap in the immaculate beds before we head out for dinner. I took the opportunity to laze in the corner bath (swish!) and read a bit of Atonement by Ian McEwan. Because that's what you do on holiday.

We're staying in the Silom district, ostensibly a business area but fantastically located for the sky train - a metro-type service that runs on tracks over the city, and looks like it comes from 2050 - and for some of the more interesting 'nightlife'. Our taxi driver took us past more massage parlours than can be necessary. Bangkok really comes alive in the evenings: as we drove down this afternoon it appeared dusty and busy. Now, as I sit in the hotel lobby, I can see the bright lights of the restaurants, and the sky train whizzing around.

Much as I enjoyed the plane food I've eaten for the last 3 meals (note hint of sarcasm), I'm looking forward to blogging about our culinary experiences here.

Until tomorrow, when I might be able to type straight.