Final days in Thailand

After our time on Phi Phi Island, we took the ferry back to Phuket. We had one more night there and did some shopping the next day until we had to catch our bus to the train station so we could go back to Bangkok and fly back to Korea. It was going to be a lot of work, but traveling isn't easy.

So the ferry ride was good. We landed back on Phuket Island and we caught a mini bus back to the hostel where we stayed a couple days previous. That was an awesome hostel and anyone that goes to Patong Beach on Phuket I would recommend they stay here - Bodega Phuket.



Anyhoo, we couldn't spend any time on the beach because we spent most of the day shopping. We had to catch a city bus to the other side of the island so we could arrive at the main bus station so we could take the coach bus from Phuket to Surat Thani, where the train station was. We had tickets to catch the train from Surat Thani back to Bangkok. I thought it would be a fun experience and it was cheaper than a flight and we also didn't have to worry about accommodations for that night because we were going to be on the train.



On the coach bus, we met a girl from Ireland, a guy from Scotland and another guy from Denmark. The two from the UK were dating and we were all headed back to Bangkok. We already had our tickets because we bought them in advance and the three others didn't. They were just going to wing it and hope for available seats. Then my friend and I got nervous because maybe we wouldn't be on the same train. Luckily, when the three bought their tickets, we were all on the same train. So we had about one or two hours before the train arrived, so we went down the street to catch some dinner and a few beers. That's where the fun began.



We went to the platforms and found where our train would pick us up. We only had a while to wait, so we bought a few more beers. In all my experiences with Europeans, they have loved drinking...and I don't mind. Finally, the time was approaching where the train should be arriving. It was a little passed our scheduled time, but it was here. Then we asked one of the guys walking near the tracks to ask them if this was our train. He said, "oh no, yours is two more trains." We thought that that was crazy that the trains were so late. So we had more time to waste and more beer to drink.



I don't know if anyone has seen the Hostel movies, but this town and this train station had an eerie presence and it felt like someone could come up and murder you. It was very bizarre. We survived anyway and finally (two hours late) our train arrived.


(This is a photo of me lying down in the bed of the sleeper cabin..not too shabby)

Our new friends were in second class like us, but they had the seated cabin and we had the sleeper cabin. Ours also had air conditioning. I think most places in Thailand offered some type of air conditioning. I told them it was nice meeting them and we should try to meet up in the morning, but unfortunately, we never found them. They were fun.

We had another afternoon to spend in Bangkok because our flight didn't leave until 2am. That seemed forever and we were on a train for 12 hours and we were lugging around our bags so we didn't want to do much. We sent some postcards and tried to tour the Grand Palace, but we didn't have time. So instead, we booked tickets to this show called Siam Niramit. It's a theater show that explains Thai culture and heritage. They had tons of actors and extravagant scenes and it was just awesome. Also, on the outside of the entrance was this huge sign that read: "The stage of SIAM NIRAMIT is certified by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS as the highest in the world." It was pretty amazing. We couldn't take photos inside, but I can't explain how awesome it was. There was no dialogue, and really no speaking, it was just acting out. It was very easy to follow.



We decided to go to this show because it was in between the heart of Bangkok and the airport. So since the show was later in the evening, we were able to catch a cab to the airport and not have it be too expensive. Everything I experienced in this country was very unique and I think if I had a chance to go back to Thailand, I would experience everything all over again. It was a great 10 days.



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