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Walked to the busstation, which was really just the street in front of an open office space with a large desk and a lot of backpacks people had dropped off before getting on the bus. I booked the 130pm bus, 1230 was already full and a flight to Bangkok at 7pm. That would leave me 1,5hours in between as it would take about 4hours. If things went the way they did on the way here, I would have plenty of time. I had checked in online the night before and had no luggage to drop off. Checking in online didn't work at first, had booked through a 3rd party because it was cheaper and I read afterwards that more people had this issue and to go to the airport early to check in there. Nothing else worked, some got in using different information provided by the airlines customer service. Checking in online wasn't an option for me. I contacted the online customer support of the 3rd party, but after 15minutes or so she couldn't manage it either and told me to call the airline to ask for help. It annoyed me but I put my shoes on to ask the hotel if I could use the phone. I then remembered something worth trying, incognito tab! That had worked for me before with a completely different issue but also with an online purchase. And it worked (so there's a free tip 😁)! And so, even if we got to the airport later, it would be fine as long as I was checked in. It's also an airline that deals with a lot of delays (same airline I took on the way to Chiang Mai with an hour delay).
The bus left a little after it was suppose to, didn't have the front seat (didn't want to either, it had to fit two people this trip) but a single seat next to the door with plenty of leg space. Again, had to take my luggage with me due to the small size. We picked up a few other people and started the return to Chiang Mai, 762 turns again. The ride was fine, I again slept/dozed off and saw a few elephants on the way (not walking around freely though). And the driver seemed to want to make up for lost times and rushed through some of the turns but nothing that felt unsafe. Got back into the city and I figured I would be there in time, but then traffic hit and it looked like the drop off schedule would be City, Bus terminal and then Airport. I had already let go if I wouldn't make the flight. I mean, what can one do? Let go, let it happen, there's always another flight. I couldn' be bothered by it and just continued staring out the window. And that's when I saw it: International Airport. Haha, we were being dropped off first. Turned out a few other people on the bus booked the same flight and must have told the office departure was at 7pm. Anyways, got to the airport 1,5hr before my flight left (which actually left on time). I was seated at the window, again luck of the draw, I usually never pick the window but would be fine for a short flight. And it was rather kind lf magical, the beautiful lights at night of the city but also lights of tempels!
I again dozed off a little bit and watched part of an ocean documentary I had downloaded once. Horrible. But I did love my new gadget that I brought with me from home to try out!
We landed somewhere around 815pm and I couldn't be bothered figuring out how to get to the hotel using public transportation and so I took a taxi. It was about 15euros for 45minutes. I usually pay the same for the 5minute ride home after going out haha. Got to the hotel and nothing special compared to the other places, a bit of a hard bed which isn't unusual here and I quite like that. And a view of Asiatique, lot's of lights as I got there at nighttime. I immediately felt I was back in the big city. Gone is the quiet, back are the voices. Well just one voice and my own, no Gollum vs Sméagol sh*t hehe. And it was noisy outside as well. I woke up early that morning, mostly from hotel noise. They were cleaning the hallway or something. And so I just stayed in bed for a bit and dozed off a few times.
Time go get up, because I had a ticket for the Jurassic Park experience! Which was across the street in Asiatique! One of the reasons I picked the hotel. And off we went to Isla Nublar! It was a fun experience but we did get rushed through it a bit because once you got into the second room, the show kind of started and staff kept going, we got to go and hurry, danger, they're coming. But it was fun! Took us about 45minutea (instead of the 60-90min it sid online). After being back outside, I walked around the area for a bit, went back to the hotel since it was so close and then left again. Today's transport: local boats. You either pay before you get on or on the boat itself and prices are about 50cents each trip. I went to Chinatown first and visited the market. It was pretty busy and chaotic but Chinatown is always fun! After that I quickly visited Khaosan road as the boat was going that direction. And again all these memories came back. It was quiet though during the day. I remember it used to be busy, day and night. I walked around for a bit and visited the hotel I used to stay at when in Bangkok (wanted to again but it was full). After another trip down memory lane, I took the boat back to the hotel. It was around sunset and it was nice to be on the boat. I was a bit beat but still decided to go outside after dinner and so I went across the street to go into one of the attractions that I saw from my room. Up up up we go!
I luckily had a better sleep that night and decided to take buses and trains that day. I had to wait for the bus (it was a loooong street and no bus in sight) and so I started walking to the next stop and the next and so on until I saw a bus coming. I passed a cheap massage place (cheapest yet, only 4euros for an hour footmassage and one next to it for about 5,5euros) and wanted to go later that day. I got on the bus and I was fascinated by the busticket lady, it was a little lady that easily walked through the crowds with a hello kitty tube with change and the different type of tickets inside (depending on which stop you have to get off at). I just watched her do her job and would again the next day, different lady but same thing. Took a train after that, I forgot how much it is like Japan, easy peasy! Got to the market, 8000 stalls, skipped most of it haha. It was a labyrinth of shops and I mostly stayed on the outside of it. Great deals though and so I bought a few presents there. I also had lunch there with 'medium spicy' thai basil and I literally burned the inside of my lip haha, teared up my eyes as well. It was good though and I finished my plate! Went back after a few hours, got a massage (the cheapest one was already full and so I went nextdoor, got to lay down flat instead of in a chair of which some recline) and it was great!! Walked back to the hotel and then to an Indian place for dinner. It was about 10euros incl the drink but to be fair, the streetfood was a lot better!
Had another okay night, checked out and got on a bus again I again watched the lady do her thing haha. I transfered to a train and got off at the station close to my next hotel in Bangkok...
1 comment:
Fantastisch!!! Liefs Karin
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