 |
| All packed and ready to go |
Leaving Rebak and getting to Kuah ferry jetty was easy but purchasing the tickets for the right price and finding the line to catch the correct ferry proved more challenging. We realised our mistake when we found ourselves lined up for the Kedah ferry and hadn’t cleared immigration, quickly retreated, found Immigration and just made the Satun ferry as it was untying from the dock. That was close! Trip across to Satun was only an hour and quite pleasant to see the east coast of Langkawi.
At Satun we cleared customs and immigration, only to find we have a 15 day visa rather than the 30 days we expected when arriving by boat. Apparently they consider this entry point as a land crossing even though you can only arrive by boat. This means some radical changes to our current itinerary as we intended on staying 21 days in Thailand and unfortunately extensions are not possible for this type of VOA (visa on arrival). Oh well still have 14 days to work this one out.
The journey to Hat Yai wasn’t quite as expected either. We found ourselves on a minibus crammed in with our luggage around our ears for the next two hours and 14 other people mostly hookers on their way to work for the night. We got to the train station to pick up our pre-booked tickets to be told ‘no have’, but once John spoke with the manager we did eventually get the tickets. That was day 1, things WILL get easier from here on I’m sure.
Overnight train to Bangkok was pleasant and comfortable, meals delivered to our 1st class sleeper cabin ($60 each) and when compared to the other classes it’s a bargain. We even had a lesson in Thai pronunciation from our stewardess, so now we can properly say thank you, how much, yes, no and most importantly too expensive!! Haggling here is a way of life and great fun, quite often you think you've had a good win only to find the guy around the corner will sell it or do it cheaper. You win some and you loose some.
 |
| Khao San at night |
We are staying at Khao San Road which is central to most of the sights and backpacker heaven full of bars, restaurants, tailors, massaaggee parlours, and stall upon stall of must have accessories, even fake diplomas and drivers licences.
 |
| and during the day |
 |
| Bangkok's version of a tuktuk |
Bangkok. Wow! It’s just another capital city, but after floating around for many months on the boat it’s a shock to be in big crowds and traffic all pushing and shoving in different directions with the obligatory noise and pollution to go with it. Avoiding the con artists is an art in itself but after two attempts at hijacking us we have a better idea on how to avoid being taken.
 |
| One of the many temples at the grand Palace |
Our days have been filled with visiting the must see places - The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, parts of Chinatown, the ferry down the Chao Praya River, Amulet market, wandering the streets and just generally soaking up the atmosphere which can be rather overwhelming.
 |
| One of the many temple buddha |
 |
| One of the Grand Palace Temples |
Tuktuk and taxi drivers await us everywhere ready to take us wherever we want to go as long as it is where they want to take us. Armed guards seem to be on every corner in full regalia with big guns. The temples and buildings are so numerous they seem to blend into one big golden shimmering mass, with monks everywhere. The food is great and the beer is much better than in Malaysia.
 |
| A busy Bangkok River |
The trip we did along the Chao Praya River was quite interesting watching the sights pass us by, and John felt comfortable being on the water again.
 |
| Bye for now, cheers and beers (or in this case rumbos on the train to Bangkok) J&J |
