Day 191 (Sun 14 Jan) - Siem Reap / Bangkok
Up early, Jo packed the bags as Sarb still wasn't feeling too well.
Waited for the minibus to pick us up and take us to Bangkok. At 7.20am two mopeds arrived and asked whether we were going to Bangkok; reluctantly we said we were and before we knew it they had put our rather large rucksacks between their legs and we were clambering on the back with our smaller ones.
Fortunately they only drove us a couple of hundred metres before the deposited us by a clapped out minibus. This, we later learnt, would take us on the six hour grueling journey to the Cambodia / Thailand border. What a journey - it was a bit rough to say the least. The road reminded us of Kenya! We were grateful to stop at 11.30am for lunch. As we were waiting for our lunch we were surprised to see Pete stagger into the restaurant. He was also on his way to Bangkok after spending a few days in Siem Reap.
Arrived at the border at about 1.30pm where we were transferred to another bus that took as about 50 metres to immigration point. Got off the bus and stood around in the blazing heat waiting to go through the departure gates. After the Cambodians had done their stuff we were a bit lost as there were no signs where to go so we wandered in what we thought was the vague direction of Thailand. Walked in a daze and finally arrived at Thai immigration and were directed to wait for another bus which would take us to Bangkok. Quite painless really but a bit hot and sweaty.
Whilst we waited for our bus we spotted Pete again and were pleased when we all ended up on the same bus.
Before we knew it we were in Bangkok and deposited at the end of the Khao San Road (infamous backpackers stomping grounds). On the journey we had got talking to a dutch guy called Klauss who had stayed in Bangkok before so knew where not to stay. He directed us to the "quieter" area. After taking it in turns to be rejected from every hotel and guesthouse in the area we finally found a cheapie guesthouse called New V. Merry Guesthouse. The rooms were cheap and clean so we all checked in. Later the four of us (Klauss, Pete, Sarb and Jo) met up and we went to explore Bangkok. Bustling place, full of hippie travelers chilling out.
Found a busy street restaurant called Popiang and had our first tasty thai meal. It was great and they even gave us our rice in the shape of a teddybear. Later we wandered down the Khao San Road, stopping off for a bucket or two of cocktails.
By 12.30 Sarb and Jo were knackered and wandered back to the guest house, leaving Klauss and Pete to try out a few more cocktails.
Waited for the minibus to pick us up and take us to Bangkok. At 7.20am two mopeds arrived and asked whether we were going to Bangkok; reluctantly we said we were and before we knew it they had put our rather large rucksacks between their legs and we were clambering on the back with our smaller ones.
Fortunately they only drove us a couple of hundred metres before the deposited us by a clapped out minibus. This, we later learnt, would take us on the six hour grueling journey to the Cambodia / Thailand border. What a journey - it was a bit rough to say the least. The road reminded us of Kenya! We were grateful to stop at 11.30am for lunch. As we were waiting for our lunch we were surprised to see Pete stagger into the restaurant. He was also on his way to Bangkok after spending a few days in Siem Reap.
Arrived at the border at about 1.30pm where we were transferred to another bus that took as about 50 metres to immigration point. Got off the bus and stood around in the blazing heat waiting to go through the departure gates. After the Cambodians had done their stuff we were a bit lost as there were no signs where to go so we wandered in what we thought was the vague direction of Thailand. Walked in a daze and finally arrived at Thai immigration and were directed to wait for another bus which would take us to Bangkok. Quite painless really but a bit hot and sweaty.
Whilst we waited for our bus we spotted Pete again and were pleased when we all ended up on the same bus.
Before we knew it we were in Bangkok and deposited at the end of the Khao San Road (infamous backpackers stomping grounds). On the journey we had got talking to a dutch guy called Klauss who had stayed in Bangkok before so knew where not to stay. He directed us to the "quieter" area. After taking it in turns to be rejected from every hotel and guesthouse in the area we finally found a cheapie guesthouse called New V. Merry Guesthouse. The rooms were cheap and clean so we all checked in. Later the four of us (Klauss, Pete, Sarb and Jo) met up and we went to explore Bangkok. Bustling place, full of hippie travelers chilling out.
Found a busy street restaurant called Popiang and had our first tasty thai meal. It was great and they even gave us our rice in the shape of a teddybear. Later we wandered down the Khao San Road, stopping off for a bucket or two of cocktails.
By 12.30 Sarb and Jo were knackered and wandered back to the guest house, leaving Klauss and Pete to try out a few more cocktails.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
1/14/2007 08:39:00 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home