27th to 38th day Sunday, February 1, 2015 Ko Chang Thailand

Hello,

my dear ones, I just wanted to say a few words again. 12 days of doing nothing, so almost nothing, and recharging my batteries are behind me. And unfortunately, time passed way too quickly during this standstill. But it was beautiful again on Ko Chang, where I have been before, but I always like it there.

On the second day on-site, I rented a scooter again, so I was free and could move around everywhere. Of course, as it should be, with many breaks at the beach, a massage, or somewhere else on the island. Unfortunately, as I said, it was too short, but there are still many exciting places waiting for me. But for now, I'm making a little stopover in Bangkok, and it's sooooo stuffy and hot here again.

Oh yes, hot, that's what it was like for me right after arriving in the center of Bangkok. Until then, it went well air-conditioned with the skyline from the airport to the Phaya Thai Station. Now the question is how to get to the hotel. One option is a tuk-tuk, but too expensive, so I decided to keep walking. But not long after, I ended up on a motorcycle taxi, which I cannot recommend to anyone in my situation with a 15/20 kg backpack on my back. But well, now it was about holding on somehow, closing my eyes, and going through it...

Today I took a trip to the countryside, to Samut Songkran. I got there with an old narrow-gauge railway. The starting point was Wong Wian Yai Station in Bangkok, from there it went for 1 hour for 10 Baht (25 cents) through literally green fruit and vegetable gardens to Mahachai, a small fishing town in the Samut Songkran district. There we got off and walked 5 minutes to the ferry, and then another 5 minutes to the next train station. From there, we continued at a relatively half speed (25 km/h) and 10 Baht to the destination station in Mea Khlong / Samut Songkran.

Here, right at the destination station, we go over the market. A short honk is enough and the market vendors (and the countless tourists) push their stalls aside so that the train can pass through. After a 30-minute stay, it's time to go back to Bangkok.

This trip was really fun, especially because you could see the sun again just outside Bangkok, which is rare in the smoggy conditions of the city.

Now, tomorrow morning, it's time to say goodbye to Thailand and move on to the land of the white elephants, Myanmar, and what awaits me there, you will see soon.

Until then...