Chumphon - Bangkok - Kanchaniburi - Ayuthayya - Sukhothai - Chiang Mai - Pai - Thatorn - Chang Rai
G-day All
Hope the weather you are experiencing is better than the warmth I've got to put up with ...
After the overnight ferry to Chumphon; visa-run to Ranong; long-tail boat to the Myanmar Immigration Authorities, than back to Ranong for the stamp back into Thailand; a scenic drive back to Chumphon and than an overnight train to Bangkok, I was contemplating returning to South Africa on the next available flight. Than I thought about all Bangkok had to offer a tired, lonesome backpacker like myself. If you guessed more on-the-go-tours and having to lie to suit salesman (so that the tuk-tuk driver can get a coupon for fuel or a meal voucher for his hungry family), you guessed correct. Having e-mailed the previous highlights to everyone I hopped onto the 53 bus and headed for Khao San Road. I 'm aware I should have gone to Patpong Road first but that had to wait for now. I checked in at the guest house and than got taken for a ride, literally and figuratively, by two different tuk-tuk drivers. In between I made bookings for tours over the next two days. Apparently the day I made the bookings was a special Buddhist day and all fares/prices were on special.
'Buddha was smiling down on me!' I thought. Later I learnt Buddhist have many such days.
Highlights :
Floating Market : no I'm not refering to the stock market and the predicament it is in. To the South-West of Bangkok there is a community which to date still live and eake out a living from the canals. It's similar to Venice except it on a smaller scale with paddle and long-tail boats instead of gondolas ...
Tiger Temple : a Buddhist Sanctuary, initially only for tigers, but now also include other animals as well. I was pleased to see the tigers, adults and cubs, but they looked sedated and lethargic and all were chained. I was told they looked lethargic because they spend most of the day resting, especially when it gets hot as it does in Thailand. I wouldn't want to be left alone with an unattended and unchained tiger, but walking with lions in Zimbabwe was a lot more exciting ...
Cobra show : I was low on cash so I skipped that. Amit can give me a demonstration anyway ...
Kanchaniburi, The Bridge over the River Kwai : Personally I found the movie more interesting and moving. I think they could and should do more to highlight the importance of the destruction of the bridge. The history behind the action taken is interesting but not detailed / displayed very well. If you have a good imagination and historical background it's still worth going to see ...
Ayuthayya, the ruins of the second capital of Thailand : The ruins themselves I believe are more spread out and numerous than those in Rome, but not as old or well preserved. Unfortunately our guide had the knowledge but not the ability to explain the history behind the ruins very well. Mother Natures is making an effort to reclaim these ruins and some of the ruins are just neglected or tourists stumble through and damage them accidentally. If you get an opportunity see them while you still have a chance ...
After my visit to Ayuthayya I got dropped off close to the city centre. It is business-like, similar to most western cities with everyone rushing about, except that there are lots of side stalls from which one can have a snack or a complete meal. Western tourist stick out in the crowds like a Durian fruit in the Fruit Market. Whilst strolling past a shopping mall I came across a photographic exhibition of ocean creatures. They even had a video and multimedia display inside the store. It was very good and worth the deviation and inspired me to dive some more when I get an opportunity. Patpong Road was on the way, well, actually it was the reason why I got off in the city centre. The touts there can spot a tourist miles away. I got approached to purchase erotic Dvd's; meet /see males, females, she-males; get a full body massage and ofcourse buy a T-shirt or two, amongst other items. I felt very awkward and just kept walking. I was afraid that if I stopped I would be dragged into one of the bars/parlours/shops or quickie hotels. PAtpong Road is not very long, but in terms of time it depends on how odten you stop, or in my case, how fast you want to get to the other side. Business must be very good though because it has spread to to other roads close by. From what I am aware of though, South Africa probably has a larger market in the flesh trade. With 2010 around the corner it's most likely going to increase at a dizzing rate, like a rush of blood to the head ...
Thailand National Museum : worth a look but not necessary. The sea shell in-layed furniture is good though ...
Grand Palace and the Wats within : they are grand and worth a look if you like the oppulence.
Boat ride on the Chaopraya River : I used the local boat taxis and just went up and don the river. It was cheap and worth getting a different perspective of Bangkok and the folk that live in the city.
After Bangkok I took a train to Phitsanulok followed by a bus to Sukhothai. Highlight : two German girls, a Buddhist monk and me sitting in the backseats with the rear bus door open to distant mountains and rice paddies. Old Sukhothai is a lot better and cheaper than Ayuthayya. I hired a bicycle and cycled around the ancient ruins. There were good plaques/ information boards to explain the temple design and related surroundings. There were many different Buddha images and Wats, but varying in design so that you didn't get bored.
Sukhothai Highlight : standing on the back platform of a school bus full of children, backpack strapped on and the children wondering how much home work I had to catch up with ...
Thailand Highlights :
Never been asked to be massaged as much in my life before, even if it is for a small fee ...
Minivan ride up to Pai (A little village in the mountains with a river running through it) - cannot think of any similar place in South Africa though the drive up is similar to the drive to the Congo Caves ... Dwellings are mostly made from locally grown trees, bamboo and leaves. Village is set in a flat piece of land and surrounded by mountains overflowing with mostly indiginous plantation. Low-level clouds to greet you every morning ...
Swimming in a rock pool while children skid down smooth slippery rocks alongside a waterfall, and than sharing a glass of freshly brewed Israeli coffee with two guys just chillin' out ...
Chiang Mai - Unscheduled stop at Flower Market I stumbled upon while trying to find my way to some Wat or the other. The flowers and plants were beautiful and the whole area a gardeners dream ...
Taxi rides from Thatorn to Chang Rai - having to Hop-on-Hop-off between three taxis to get to Chang Rai. The 'Going nowhere slowly' drive to Chang Rai was scenic and worth the risk taking an alternate route ...
Chang Rai - visit to the White Temple - similar to other Wats in Thailand except this is the only one I've come across which is white with mirror in-lay. It has more of a purity compared to the Golden Wats ...
Thailand Lowlights :
Stayed up till 23:30 to watch the S.A vs Pakistan 20/20 semi-final just to watch S.A lose 31/2 hours later ...
Although most prices/fares are standard and reasonable, there will be the odd occasion one feels you are being ripped off. The price for getting from point A to B can vary from 30 baht to 300 baht, depending on what mode of transport you choose ...
Not enough Indian restaurants after Bangkok. Too much Rice and Noodles. Not enough variety for vegetarians though I must add that the variety of fruits do make up partially for that ...
Although the majority of citizens in Thailand can survive on 100 baht/day, most Thai's don't have aspirations of travelling or becoming someone prominent in society or the World. Reason being because the majority don't earn enough to travel or can afford to further their education to a level where they become some one of stature. Similar to India, movies, mini-series and the internet have become an escapist option for them. On the positive side though, they have not lost the value for honesty and respect. One feels a lot safer here than in Johannesburg ...
Got the runs two days before leaving Chang Rai for Laos. Nothing serious. Just some bad Padthai and possibly the warm coconut shake that I had. Lasted for the evening with a bit of stomach cramps but I've taken precautionary measures and am feeling glorious once again ...
Been told by all that I meet that Laos is the best place they've been to in South-East Asia. So looking forward to crossing the border tomorrow. Please note that there are areas where internet facilities are not readily available so I may only be able to mail in two or three weeks ... Till than ... take care and take it easy ...