Bumming
Trip Start
Mar 27, 2007
1
10
17
Trip End
Jun 10, 2007
Ko Tao,
Thailand
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
By the time we arrived in Poipet (the border town), it was pouring rain and the entire town was flooded with about a foot of water. We disembarked, then got on another bus that drove us to immigration. We checked out of Cambodia, made the 100 meter walk to the Thai border (blindly following other backpackers or locals carrying empty carts)
a better photo of the road to ao leuk
. Immigration took forever thanks to some dude who (???) Once through there, we walked along blindly until a man called out "Bus to Bangkok!?" And we followed, received our tags (for identification), and waited for the bus to arrived. It took a few hours, but there was some food and some people watching to do. Once on board the bus and underway, the difference in scenery was remarkable. We had just come from a muddy, disjointed country into a country with paved roads and landscaping. I had to sit next to a Cambodian woman this time and she was convinced I spoke Cambodian (I suppose) because she kept talking to me. I just nodded my head and smiled. Nice lady.
Fortunate for us, the bus dropped us off right at the Khao San Road. I re-met my German friend (who had boarded the bus just a bit after me and had to take a seat in the lower portion... the VIP lounge) and we wondered up the road looking for accomodation. She was looking for super cheap and I was looking for a nice budget, so we parted ways. I stopped in at one place that seemed nice, but they were full. I went next door and got a closet with a fan (and hallway bathrooms) for 250 Baht. Geesh! Downgrade! Next morning, I was convinced I was getting the HECK out of there because it sucked and I'm not a huge fan of Bangkok. So up early it was and off to the travel agent and various other errands. I made a ticket to Ko Tao. As I was heading out to the post office, I ran into my new buddy again and we headed off in search of Chinatown. Eventually we found it and partook in some street food and some struggling through the hoardes of people lining narrow stalls.
Then we part ways again and I was off to the train station, where I proceeded to watch a nice thunderstorm
a better view of our bungalow
. The train ride was great- it's been 4 years since I've been on a train and I've forgotten how much I love them. This was a sleeper train, so it had little beds that folded out. I slept on and off and was comfortable with my blanket. I also finally got to use my hiking socks since the train had a/c in my car. The train was late into Chumpon- arrived around 5am instead of 3am- which was fine by me. We got off, loaded into a pickup truck, and drove to a bus. The bus then drove us to the ferry and we were off again.
Met a few people who were on the train and/or ferry and have since been dwelling in beach land on a nice small budget thanks to sharing rooms with a few gals I met. Funny how you meet people on the road and it seems like you've known them forever.
First night, we spent in Sairee beach- kind of a party center and not a great beach. Next day, we headed out for a snorkeling trip- where we saw a ton of fish, coral, and even black tip sharks! Then we headed to Ao Leuk, a very small bay that winds down from a very very rough road (made Cambodia look well-kept). But the bay was wonderful and quiet. We spent a few days there recovering from sunburn and played a lot of cards
a way cool photo that i didn't take
. Then we headed to Chalak Baan Kao (I think...) and that's where I am today, having just said goodbye to my travel buddies as they make their way to the other coast. Meanwhile, I'm headed back up to Bangkok and onto Nepal beginning tomorrow. Hopefully I make it to Bangkok in time for my flight to Nepal... but in my extensive Thailand experience, buses are usually somewhat on time and I'm due to arrive 5AM... wheras my flight is at 1040AM. Some comments: Sand is not really my favorite thing- and neither is shallow coral. I was convinced I was going to scrape on the coral today or be punctured by an urchin as we swam back ashore. As soon as we arrived in Chalak Baan Kao, we collected the mangiest dog around. Poor guy was as loyal as they come- followed us everywhere- but had some crusty eyes and some definite mangy spots. Other dogs didn't seem to like him either and this morning, a muzzled pitbull ran out and tried to attack him. Flush toilets are really cool.... manual flushing kinda sucks. Hmm. On that note... toilet paper is also cool. Wearing a shirt snorkeling really helps to prevent sunburn- but only if it doesn't constantly ride up and expose your lower back. :( I'm sure there's more to say, but all I have left is this: I would put photos up but this computer lacks a hookup and is a bit slower than I would like. So probably no more photos until I get back to Bangkok from Nepal (2 weeks). Wish me luck that I don't die trying to climb a hill.
