Thailand

This first started with a 4-5 hour small bus journey to Hat Yai. The journey was nothing memorable, lots of bumps and lots of snack stops...for the driver. Upon entering Thailand through a surprisingly easy border and customs check (the man prodded my bag, unzipped and immediately re-zipped someone elses) i could sense i was going to like the country. Our bus stopped inside Hat Yai for us to change to another bus. While waiting some other people got picked up for their journey in a new Mercedes comfort-mobile so my hopes were high coming off of a KIA. These hopes were quickly extinguished as a no brand 'thing' pulled up and the driver yelled 'Krabi'. Another 5 hours of Evil Kinevil's idol driving and we finally arrived in Krabi. The one thing the driver did do well was take us to a place where we could buy our boat tickets for the next day and set up some accomodation for the night, which turned out to be nice enough for comfort. Our brief night in Krabi consisted of going for a meal and a walk. The meal was excellent (price included) and it was quickly apparant that the southern Thai people are fairly different from those we had encountered before. Much friendlier, chattier and genuinly interested in you as opposed to just your money.

The next morning we got a tuk tuk to the pier to get our boat. This was by far the most terrifying thing i have ever had to do. As we were the first ones on board we were sitting downstairs right at the front. Rough seas and a boat that was literally separating and falling apart do not mix well, every wave the boat took i was sure i would end up in the water. 2 hours of clutching my seat went by like 2 years, finally and thankfully though we arrived in Ko Phi Phi and began the ascent to our pre booked 7 pound a night accomodation (we thought we would splash out on the digs). Ingphu viewpoint was amazing, the service was incredibly friendly and greatly helpful with no tip expectation. Also to its advantage is its location on the island, as it is higher up it is a small trek but much quieter. The rest of the tourists on this island seemed to be what i would usually desribe as goons, i certainly did not come this far to hear only American, Australian and English people let alone hear them talking about how great beer and weed is.

From where we were in the quiet Ko Phi Phi is very relaxing, its beauty and views offered a much needed rest. It seems like the kind of island that could be very inspirational but is also so relaxing you don't really want to do anything especially be inspired.

After 2 days here we were ready to get back into the thick of it - the mainland. Naturally apprehensive about the boat ride back to Krabi i was mentally prepared for the worst. Calm waters were just what i needed, i lay out on the deck of the boat for the 2 hour journey back. Once back we got another tuk tuk to a bus/cafe place. We picked up sleeper train tickets from Surat Thani and waited to get a bus up there. The bus took us to the middle of nowhere and dropped us off where someone gave us each a sticker and told us to wait for another bus. An hour and a half later another bus arrived to pick us up. Once at Surat Thani train station we found out the train was delayed, not to worry it was 9 o'clock so we were ready for some dinner. The options at the station were some unknown meat where the woman serving was having her daughter go through her hair for lice or what i luckily spied, a toastie stall! Unfortunately my toastie options were pineapple jam, strawberry jam and the much loved 'red' flavour jam. I went for pineapple. The sleeper train was cool, although i couldn't sleep i was comfortable lying in my moving bed.

Our first experience with Bangkok was brief. Approximately 7 minutes in the train station for the whole of it, our next mode of transport a train north. This as not so much a train as it was a sweat box filled with annoyances. To name but one for the most of the 2.5 hour journey the man standing next to my seat insisted on getting his boaby as close to my shoulder as possible. Matt joked that he had a boner. I did not laugh.

We finally arrived in Ayanthaya, one of several ancient city's. We sought accomodation in 'Tony's Place'. This should have just been called 'Gay Tony's' due to the many flamboyant staff members. The manager looked disappointed when i specified a twin room instead of his offer of a double.

We spent 2 great days here discovering ancient ruins and a hatred for the tuk tuk drivers. We cycled around one afternoon which feels great with the breeze but as soon as you stop moving you realise how disgustingly drenched in sweat you actually are.

After our 2 days it was time to head to the dreaded Bangkok (we had met various people with nothing good to say about it). I thought Bangkok was great - not too busy for a big city and lots of amazing things to see and do. We stayed on the heavy backpacker oriented Khao San Road. This is the most annoying street in the world as it is filled with nothing but hassle from suit sellers, tuk tuk drivers, naughty masseurs and more. There is almost a constant asking of 'where going?' They do not always accept polite no thank you's so we had to get creative.
Tuk Tuk Driver: 'Oh where going eh?'
Me: 'Punani Town'
Tuk Tuk Driver: 'Oh where? Oh it closed today'.
Me: 'Tee hee'.

Lots of people claim to help by initially telling you something vaguely helpful or showing you something on your map. However, they then claim that everything you want to do is closed and they will take you to something better. How so many randomers know about something better than the King's former residence, the Grand Palace and a 40 foot reclining Buddha is beyond me. There is also a surprising amount of Thai men from Scotland. Thats the same country i'm from, i better give my fellow countrymen some money.

Our third day was made up of buses and taxis to our next destination of Cambodia. A country with a glorious yet tainted and horrific past - i can't wait.