Travel to Bangkok

After much deliberation, we elected to travel to Bangkok from Koh Lanta on the cheap. Seceretly, our travels to date have been much like a vacation, so the opportunity to experience travel by minivan, bus, and train was auspiciously (by Gordon), yet cautiously (by Kathryn) welcomed.


We were met at our hotel by the minibus on time; promising start. After literally cramming our backpacks into the back of the minivan (Kathryn's backpack accounting for a 1/3 of the total space, and mass) we clambered into the far back of the minivan, without actually having our feet touch the floor. Once seated, with our bums overlapping, Kathryn's facial expression left nothing for interpretation. Minivan legal capacity: 9; actual capacity: 13.


Off we go; not too bad. Within five minutes, minvan comes to a grinding halt, and in squeeze 2 more passengers; actual capacity: 15. Gordon glances at Kathryn; Kathryn - "are you fxxxing kidding me?" Gordon - no reply, feeling a slight pang of guilt, (as he had strategically proposed, organized and paid for this travel during Kathryn's bout with "Montizoomas revenge" - taking advantage of her weakened state).


Off we go, bouncing off the non existant suspension. Single lane highway, and torrential rain does not prevent the driver from actively passing other vehicles, with no ambivalence; in fact, we appeared to be racing other minibuses, with no regard for risk, and we were unfortunately leading the pack (and we can only assume, record time).

Body heat, and now stench overwhelming, Gordon reaches for the window, only to find it locked shut, leaving his own fingernail scores in the company of others. A glance at other passengers only reinforced our fears; they were clearly as nervous. With collective sigh of relief, we pulled in behind a police car. This posed no obsticale for the driver, as he proceeded to pass on a blind corner.

3 hours pass slowly, and we arrive at our train station. Kathryn rehearsing the various nasty looks she plans to deliver to the driver with passionate derision. We disembark, our legs weaker beneath us, yet relieved to once again, and never to take for granted, the smell of the sweet polluted air.

The train station was not as grand as Kathryn had envisioned, yet there were some wooden benches; some food stalls; and much to Kathryn's delight, some other travellers. We quickly secured a bench, and made some enquiries at the information regarding our train. Our train was only delayed half an hour, and expected to arrive at midnight. Our driver had performed so well that we would have been in time to catch the 9pm train; however, this train was delayed 3 hours, and would be arriving shortly before ours.

The 3 hour wait was largely uneventful. We snacked on cashew nuts and Chang beer. We chatted with other travelers, and read our books. We watched other trains drift in, and out of the station, and the many who would provide a quick lesson in commerce by servicing the passengers with food, drink, and curios in their brief stop at Surat Thani.

Our train arrived on time (factoring in the delay). We brandished our tickets, and charged down the platform, eager to find our sleeper cabin. We passed by conductor, flashed our tickets, our backbacks bounding between the carriage's narrow hallway walls; in fact, Kathryn's backpack would not actually mathematically fit through the entrance of our sleeper cabin. We needed the strength of 2 to force the bag into the cabin.

A quick spud (paper, scissor, rock) settled the bunk allocation. We were quick into our pajamas, and the train was off to Bangkok. The train journey was a delight, and is a memorable part of our travels through Thailand.