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LEAVING KHAO SAN ROAD
After yet another night of restless sleep, Andy and I have agreed we need to get the hell out of Khao San. Andy had the fab idea of actually leaving Bangkok for a night and trying our hand at proper backpacking. So we headed off for breakie, which was not that great, but hey what do you expect at 11:30. Yes, early risers we are not! After breakfast we braved the public phones, had to try two as the "8" would not work on one. Rather vital if your telephone numbers has one. Sawadeekahs were exchanged and then the poor dude on the other end had to hand the phone to an english speaking Thai lady once he heard the dreaded words "Do you speak english?" To both out delight there was room at the inn we needed in Damnoen Saduak. A swift booking under the name "Mr Paul" (unfortunately) was made for that night.
Then I could hardly contain my excitement as we sought out a Tuk-Tuk. No shopping around or bargaining, just "how much to go direct?", "100 bht", "DONE!". The ride was cool, noisy, then hot (when it stopped at the lights) and slightly obscured, probably a plus. I fear Andy and I got done as the return fare was 60bht! Oh well, you live and learn. The Grand Palace was not longer grand for me as I had seen it before. It was still as hot and humid as I recall though. After making a plan to lunch in Siam Sq it was canned when a well travelled American tourist advised that the journey there would take the best part of an hour. We decided instead to head back to base, grab a bite and then head for the South terminal bus station. The ride from base to the bus station was rather in interesting experience of which I have Andy to thank for being the braver traveler and snubbing a taxi ride for a bus. We had to catch the 511 which bearly stopped for us and I had to hang out the doorway as we pulled off. Andy was able to grab a seat after much shuffling and maneuvering of the backpack. When another seat became available at the back of the bus I had to decline the offer of it as I was concerned I would take out half the bus with my backpack just trying to get there. A kind elderly gentleman gave up his seat where I was closest to and took the one at the back of the bus. Thailand are full of kind souls I am glad to report. We arrived after 40mins at South terminal bus station and boarded our 996 bus to the sticks! After another 1.30hr we arrived in Damnoen Saduak. The bus conductor lady was kind enough to escort us to our hotel, which I have to say, felt like we had stepped back in time to the 70s. I think we were the only two in the place as we didnt see another guest for the rest of our stay. After a refreshing cold shower we hit the streets in search of food. En route we crossed paths with a man and his elephant. We were able to feed him for what we first thought was 2bht however, turned out to be 20bht. We resumed the hunt for our food adn decided there might not be any restaurants so settled for stall food. We tried our best to look like we knew what we were doing and what we wanted but our courageous efforts were dashed away when all the stall owners shued us away to the lone pad thai seller on her own corner. SHUNNED! For 25bht the meal was good & spicy however A&I eyed out the complimentary water provided in pink plastic cups with certain dread of hospitalisation. We instead endured the fire!
Yet again sleep evaded me as I tossed, turned, huffed and puffed from midnight to 3:30am due to rock hard beds and jet lag. The sleep the eventually followed was short lived! A&I must have sat bolt upright in our beds when our infamous complimentary 6:30am alarm when off which I swear was like a bulgar alarm sounding from our pillows! We were dressed and down stairs by 7am, A FIRST! The floating markets were not a disappointment as we were provided with juicy Rose apples for the ride and purchased fresh coconut pancakes and spring rolls for breakfast. Avoiding the tourist tatt, the market was as I imagined. River people going about their business and trading their wares. We floated past as old and young, male and female cooked, prepared or sold produce and even a boat load of school kids glided past en route to school for the day. Both A&I were so pleased we made the extra effort to over night in Damnoen Saduak so that we could be at the markets early, before the bus loads of tourists arrived which congested the water ways on our way back to our hotel's pier.
The bus ride back to Bangkok was more comfy and cheaper, albeit ear bleeding loud and longer. FYI, if anyone wants to purchase some seriously loud speaker systems, Thailand is the place you need to get them from because my god the Thais like their music up LOUD!
The rest of our day was spent ambling, enjoying rose apples and banana smoothies for lunch followed by a lazy afternoon spent poolside! Oh yes, I can so get used to this life!
=)
- comments
Zanna Found you! Bet you haven't actually done any further sightseeing preferring to veg by the pool in all that glorious sunshine?
steve So where is the next installment??