Bangkok has him now...

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Saturday was our last day in Bangkok and thank goodness for that. With the threat of floods we were beginning to worry as more and more businesses built walls outside their premises (yes they actually built walls with bricks and concrete) and the shops began to run out of water. It was impossible to buy a bottle of water anywhere which in 30 degree heat is a bit of a problem. The
only alternative was soft drinks but the Thais seem to like their soft
drinks extra sugary and don't do sugar free/diet drinks. Best get that
trip to the dentist booked for our return!

We got a taxi to the train station about 3 hours early because we just wanted out of the city. The station was rammed full of people, we actually couldn't get inso had to sit outside on our bags. We eventually got in and there was people everywhere. People just bunk down on the floor and go for a nap, Idon't mean on their bags they actually sleep on the floor. With their
head on the ground. Can you imagine just lying down in the middle of
Waverley or Kings Cross? Never mind all the pigeon crap but the ground
is where people who have walked in god knows what in god knows where put their dirty shoes. Moving on from that, we found a KFC which was a great sight to see. Yes I know we should be enjoying the Thai food but sometimes all you need is a burger especially before a 12 train ride where dodgy tummy is not an option! Whilst at the station, at 6 o'clock some rather regal music came on and everyone stopped what they were doing and stood to attention. It was quite bizarre, the whole station stood up and faced in one direction as the music played. When it stopped everyone sat back down and carried on as normal. I can only imagine it was the national anthem or something to do with the royal family. They are crazy for the royal family here. There are shrines to the King and Queen everywhere. On every street, in every shop and every restaurant. In the railway station they had a giant picture of the King, surrounded by flowers with a table and notebook in front of it and people sat down and wrote in the book.

We eventually found our train and were glad upon seeing it that we had paid
for first class tickets. Now before you start thinking we are flash
with cash, it was £27 each for the first class ticket and we are talking
about first class in Thailand. Ridiculously cheap considering it is a
12 hour journey. We had a quaint little cabin with bunk beds and a sink.
Andy was too big for the top bunk so he automatically got the bottom
bunk, then I wasn't so sure that I wouldn't fall out the top bunk so I
squeezed into the bottom bunk. To begin with this train was possibly the
slowest mode of transport in existance. It took us around 3 hours to
get out of Bangkok, at one point I think we moved a mile in an hour.
Thankfully when we got out of the city it picked up speed and we were
well on our way. Andy was dead to the world as soon as his head hit the
pillow, but the train was far too bumpy for me. I have the ability to
sleep absolutely anywhere and this was the first time I couldn't sleep.
When Andy woke up he said he had a brilliant sleep and found the humps
and bumps relaxing. Different strokes for different folks eh!

We arrived in our destination, Surat Thani and it was an interesting welcome. A lot of travellers use the overnight train to get from Bangkok down to the beaches, so there was touts waiting to greet us to tempt us to buy tickets for their bus or their tour. People actually chase after you shouting "where you going?! I give you ticket! Phuket! Ko Samui!" It really is quite daunting after
what turned out to be a good 15 hour train journey after the delays. Our
destination wasn't one of the common resorts so we were a bit stuck.
There was a French couple who were going to the same place and had
already bought their ticket from a tout. The Thai lady chased me and
Andy round the car park trying to sell us tickets and what not and we
ran round in circles and eventually the French lady come over and said
she had bought her ticket from the Thai lady and it was the right bus. I
think we thought that if it all went horrbily wrong at least there was
someone else to share in our misery. It did turn out to be the right bus
but the tout charged us an extra 80 baht. That is only £2 so you can't
really complain too much. We took some travel sickness pills, hopped on
the Thai bus (complete with sing a long Thai music videos) and we were
on our way... Next stop Khao Sok!

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