Although my love of train travel has been well documented...I wasn't sure what to expect from Thai trains. From what reading I'd done beforehand, I gathered they were either heaven or hell depending on the individual. Since I have an aversion to flying, we decided to take the night train from Trang to Bangkok, and hope for the best.
The best, it turned out, was really frickin' good. We left the station in Trang around 4:00 in the afternoon. A few hours later, dinner was served. Jason and I brought our own food, but the other options looked decent. We passed a few hours by playing cards, talking, reading, and looking out the windows at the landscape. Around 10:00 pm, the train stewards came around to put the bunks together for everyone. I got the top, and Jason slept below me. The beds folded out from the walls, they were long enough for me to stretch out, and had a little reading light - they were perfect. They also had clean sheets and blankets that they removed from sealed plastic bags. For some reason, those plastic bags made me feel so secure and happy. Once I was tucked into my bunk, sleep came almost immediately. The rocking of the train was better than a sleeping pill.
When I awoke in the morning, we were only a few hours from Bangkok. After cleaning up in the bathroom, having a small breakfast and coffee, we were ready to disembark.
The only downside of the whole trip happened the next morning. As we were canvassing the other people on the train for information on hotels, we found ourselves stuck in a long conversation with some "travellers" from New York city. They were professional artsy folks in their late twenties to early thirties - people I thought we'd like from the outset. We were wrong. They were also pretentious.
I was forced to listen to the traveller vs. tourist spiel for the umpteenth time. (I cringe just wondering if I ever espoused such twaddle). We were informed that Laos was so overtouristed it wasn't even worth going to anymore. (Really? Laos? Yes, I've heard it's all Holiday Inns and KFC restaurants nowdays.) That the airport hotel in Bangkok was the best place to stay. (That must be where all the authentic Thai culture is.) And that the place to go these days is Central America. (Not sure why they weren't there.) I pasted on my old waitressing face and politely nodded when appropriate. I was glad we hadn't struck up a conversation with them the night before.
Bangkok though was another nice surprise on our trip. I'd only ever heard terrible, nasty things about the city. Maybe I'd been expecting the worst (i.e. Guatemala City), but we were happy with it. The weather was beautiful while we were there. The city is full of interesting sights to see and the markets are incredible. We also found a super swank place to stay for a pittance. Score!
The best, it turned out, was really frickin' good. We left the station in Trang around 4:00 in the afternoon. A few hours later, dinner was served. Jason and I brought our own food, but the other options looked decent. We passed a few hours by playing cards, talking, reading, and looking out the windows at the landscape. Around 10:00 pm, the train stewards came around to put the bunks together for everyone. I got the top, and Jason slept below me. The beds folded out from the walls, they were long enough for me to stretch out, and had a little reading light - they were perfect. They also had clean sheets and blankets that they removed from sealed plastic bags. For some reason, those plastic bags made me feel so secure and happy. Once I was tucked into my bunk, sleep came almost immediately. The rocking of the train was better than a sleeping pill.
When I awoke in the morning, we were only a few hours from Bangkok. After cleaning up in the bathroom, having a small breakfast and coffee, we were ready to disembark.
The only downside of the whole trip happened the next morning. As we were canvassing the other people on the train for information on hotels, we found ourselves stuck in a long conversation with some "travellers" from New York city. They were professional artsy folks in their late twenties to early thirties - people I thought we'd like from the outset. We were wrong. They were also pretentious.
I was forced to listen to the traveller vs. tourist spiel for the umpteenth time. (I cringe just wondering if I ever espoused such twaddle). We were informed that Laos was so overtouristed it wasn't even worth going to anymore. (Really? Laos? Yes, I've heard it's all Holiday Inns and KFC restaurants nowdays.) That the airport hotel in Bangkok was the best place to stay. (That must be where all the authentic Thai culture is.) And that the place to go these days is Central America. (Not sure why they weren't there.) I pasted on my old waitressing face and politely nodded when appropriate. I was glad we hadn't struck up a conversation with them the night before.
Bangkok though was another nice surprise on our trip. I'd only ever heard terrible, nasty things about the city. Maybe I'd been expecting the worst (i.e. Guatemala City), but we were happy with it. The weather was beautiful while we were there. The city is full of interesting sights to see and the markets are incredible. We also found a super swank place to stay for a pittance. Score!
We'll get better at making videos...I promise.
Bangkok Train Station
Another view of the Station
The king! He's everywhere. It's the law that every home and business displays a picture of him. You can also be arrested for insulting the king or his family. He means business!
Elephants are a symbol of Thailand. The royal family keeps several elephants on the grounds, including the famed white elephants.
The Emerald Palace.
This guy, literally and figuratively, took us for a ride.
Their building are so dang decorative.
Long eared Buddha.
more decoration...
monk
I think Jason trailed him for a while.
Thailand...not England. Promise.
Khaosan Road is the backpacker's ghetto in Bangkok.
Now I know where to go for a TEFL certificate - no more studying for me! ;)Street Food.
Bangkok Market...just like Portabello Road.
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