My first solo trip in my thirties and Bangkok felt manageable and friendly, the Grand Palace and the floating lantern show at night are moments I will not forget.

Trip was fine but nothing spectacular, the market visit felt like a shopping detour more than sightseeing, and traffic between attractions ate up a good chunk of each day.

Weather was exactly as promised, cool and dry, comfortable for walking around temples all day, only gripe is some restaurants near the hotel were surprisingly pricey for what was on the plate.

Nine years I kept postponing a solo trip and Bangkok finally pushed me to do it, the cultural show in the evening with the costumes and dance was mesmerising.

Hotel check-in dragged past an hour with no apology, a poor start to an otherwise fine week.

Bangkok was decent, but the Chinatown food walk was so packed I could barely stop long enough to actually eat, the opposite of what I'd come for. The cooking class was the saving grace, I still make that green curry months on.