remember when we said that we were going to tough out the rain like the locals?
we didnt. we ran.
After spending two rain filled days in beautiful Phuket town (a quaint, local filled area that is a haven from the resorts and girlie bars that have taken over the island) we decided (with Mom now in tow) to head North, as continual 'major storm' warnings were headed our way (once we had arrived in Bangkok we found out that the major transport bridge to the South had collapsed due to excess rain, and that more that 700 tourists had been evacuated in addition to the 23 local deaths in the area. Needless to say we were grateful for our decision)
After Mom slept off her jet lag, it was decided that she should experience a true, backpacking style journey before she got too comfortable. We decided that the 15 hour second class bus ride to Bangkok was the way to go, and that the day option would be a little bit more comfortable for a first timer.
So, we chose the night bus. 14 hours, multiple flooded roads, some strange all-night market bus stands (there are massive roadside markets that are open all night for buses, local and tourist alike, to stop for food. Think trucker stop minus the sketchiness) many beers combined with many troublesome bus bathroom trips later, we arrived to the light of the day. Trevor and Amaris hadn't seen blue sky in over two weeks, and the sunrise over the city scape couldnt have been more beautiful (not that Trevor knew that, he was passed out in the isle, on the floor)
As we are 'seasoned travelers' by now, we do not think that spending 15 hours on a bus pretending to sleep deserves an expensive, short taxi ride to the centre of the city. Besides, wheres the fun in that? We trek past the multitude of airconditioned taxis and board a local, breezy city bus. 2 hours later (but free) we finally arrive at our guest house destination and were able to squeeze ourselves, and gear, off the pre-work-rush filled bus.
Bangkok hasnt changed much in the last ten years, and therefore hasnt changed much since the last blog we wrote, so go read that if you are wondering what we did there.
3 days in Bangkok, some new digs for Mom (who felt humidity for the first time in her life and realized nothing she owned was appropriate for it) and new renewed energy absorbed from the sun, we decide our next destination is Cambodia. Opting for the slower, hotter method our group chose to travel via the train (which only had wooden seats for a 6 hours journey) on the Thailand side to reach the border, which is where the adventure begun.
we didnt. we ran.
After spending two rain filled days in beautiful Phuket town (a quaint, local filled area that is a haven from the resorts and girlie bars that have taken over the island) we decided (with Mom now in tow) to head North, as continual 'major storm' warnings were headed our way (once we had arrived in Bangkok we found out that the major transport bridge to the South had collapsed due to excess rain, and that more that 700 tourists had been evacuated in addition to the 23 local deaths in the area. Needless to say we were grateful for our decision)
After Mom slept off her jet lag, it was decided that she should experience a true, backpacking style journey before she got too comfortable. We decided that the 15 hour second class bus ride to Bangkok was the way to go, and that the day option would be a little bit more comfortable for a first timer.
So, we chose the night bus. 14 hours, multiple flooded roads, some strange all-night market bus stands (there are massive roadside markets that are open all night for buses, local and tourist alike, to stop for food. Think trucker stop minus the sketchiness) many beers combined with many troublesome bus bathroom trips later, we arrived to the light of the day. Trevor and Amaris hadn't seen blue sky in over two weeks, and the sunrise over the city scape couldnt have been more beautiful (not that Trevor knew that, he was passed out in the isle, on the floor)
As we are 'seasoned travelers' by now, we do not think that spending 15 hours on a bus pretending to sleep deserves an expensive, short taxi ride to the centre of the city. Besides, wheres the fun in that? We trek past the multitude of airconditioned taxis and board a local, breezy city bus. 2 hours later (but free) we finally arrive at our guest house destination and were able to squeeze ourselves, and gear, off the pre-work-rush filled bus.
Bangkok hasnt changed much in the last ten years, and therefore hasnt changed much since the last blog we wrote, so go read that if you are wondering what we did there.
3 days in Bangkok, some new digs for Mom (who felt humidity for the first time in her life and realized nothing she owned was appropriate for it) and new renewed energy absorbed from the sun, we decide our next destination is Cambodia. Opting for the slower, hotter method our group chose to travel via the train (which only had wooden seats for a 6 hours journey) on the Thailand side to reach the border, which is where the adventure begun.
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