प्रकाशित कीता: 24.03.2018
The journey is the destination .....as they say, so we're once again embarking on an exciting journey to an unknown country with just a booked flight ticket to Bangkok. There's plenty of time to plan on the plane anyway, as we don't have anything else to do :-)) While reading the travel guide, I come across an interesting thing: 'Taking the train to southern Thailand' sounds interesting, so we have the beginning.
After arriving in Bangkok, we take a GRAP taxi (similar to UBER) - couldn't be easier. The driver's photo, car number, and the price, 11 euros, are automatically charged to the credit card - no more haggling!).
We booked the Twin Towers hotel (20 euros per person, including breakfast!) near the train station so that we can buy tickets for the next day in advance (one wants to be prepared :-)). During a 15-minute walk to the train station, we get to know the city a little and learn that you should always have a well-readable city map in a foreign city!!!! What a hustle and bustle, noise, traffic,.... the street stalls described in the travel guide everywhere (we ate excellent grilled fish, vegetables, rice, noodles for 8 euros for two people at the roadside :-)). The day ends with the knowledge that we have to get up at 6 o'clock - it was exhausting but beautiful!
The breakfast buffet is aaaaaaaaaamazing!!!!!!!! There are mostly locals in the hotel whose eating habits are, of course, different from ours in Europe! They have soups, hot dishes, salads, sushi,.... everything that should actually be on a dinner buffet is already eaten in the early morning here!
This time we take a taxi to the main train station where the train departs with a half-hour delay. Everyone has their numbered seat, which is strictly enforced. Luckily, I had my jogging pants, socks, a scarf, and my down jacket ready because the air conditioning was set to a felt minus 30 degrees! But the experience of getting to know Thailand in this way was an adventure. The train rumbles through Bangkok's suburbs, people in unimaginable dwellings wave to the train, vast rice fields and beautiful landscapes pass by. Even in the 2nd class, there is service - drinks and food are served, all for 13 euros per person!
Our destination is Chumphon, where we have booked a room for 4 nights at the Calicha Resort. Let's see what the next few days will bring.