It’s about the journey, not the destination!

Current Location: Ayuthaya, Thailand

Well here I am again, coming to you live from Ayuthaya, Thailand. It`s nice here and I`ve enjoyed a nice couple of days chilling out, meeting it seems only French peoples and checking out the temple ruins which are rather spectacular. It`s funny as in Bangkok and Kanchanburi I met mainly Brits and Swedes (there are loads of Swedes in Thailand – lovely people too with fantastic English) but here it`s been French. I`m yet to actually meet an Aussie which is pretty funny given how many of us travel here. I think that maybe they are all in the islands partying!

For my trip here from Bangkok I decided to unearth the adventurer in me again and chose the public transport option which involves a bus from Khao San Rd area to the train station and then a train from downtown Bangkok. It was a fantastic experience and lots of fun – one of my best days traveling yet. I was oh so proud of my myself for doing it too but I might not have made it so easily without the help of some lovely Thai people (not including the mean ticket lady on my bus)!

In an effort to be organised I went to the info booth the day before to find out what bus to get so I felt all prepared and ready to go on the Sunday. Once I was on the bus (I was the only westerner on it) I realised I didn`t have a clue where to get off and it really isn`t that simple to figure out. I tried to ask the mean ticket lady when she punched me in the arm to get my attention to pay for the ticket but she wasn`t having a bar of it. Fortunately a young Thai girl behind me saw all this happen and kindly offered some assistance. She got off at my stop with me and walked me all the way to the ticket counter at the station – what a sweetie! She was probably stoked to practice her English but on second thoughts, maybe not. She told me she doesn`t like English, she prefers learning Japanese!

Once at the station I found my train at the appropriate time, no worries at all. It was a standard commuter train – similar to what we have but older and with smaller and less comfy seats. It was only a 1.5hr trip though so who cares right? Once again I tried to ask for some assistance from the ticket guy and although he tried to be helpful all I could get him to do was point at the train constantly. He was probably thinking you stupid git, just get on that train there! This time a lovely older Thai lady attracted my attention and swiftly took me under her wing. She had a friend on the train as well and she insisted I sit with them. We found a seat next to an Italian dude who she promptly bossed to help me remove my pack. It was rather amusing! We parted ways on our arrival to Ayuthaya but not before they both clutched my hands and said: “You be careful Rachael, some Thai men, they very dangerous”. I promised them (they weren`t letting me leave until I did) and they was on my way.

I think I smiled from ear to ear on that entire journey. It made me think that I never stop for people in Australia when they appear lost so how nice for some people to do it for me here. And to think, it only cost me 18.75B (that`s 63c to travel about 2 hours in distance!!!!). Unbelievable!

My accommodation here is my most basic yet but also the cheapest yet. It really is the bare bones of it but for only 100B (3.40AUD) it is difficult to complain. I spent quite a bit of money in my first week which I`ve since learned is common for the long term traveler. Everything seems so cheap so you don`t notice it disappear but I`ve since pulled in the purse strings a little.

A few more things to finish off…I got a henna tattoo in Bangkok (no Mum, they aren`t permanent). It`s been a rather funny experience as I got my name written in Thai with the Chinese symbol for life or birth underneath it. This is particularly symbolic for me – the Thai writing of my name was to represent where my trip started and the Chinese symbol was to represent what I feel this year will be for me – a new beginning as such or change in my life. However it also means that every second Thai person on the street calls out my name! It`s comforting to know that the lady actually wrote the correct thing – she could have written anything on my arm!

I really should also make mention of the Floating Markets – they really are a spectacular sight! All the bright fruit and veg on paddles boats doing their own version of Bangkok rush hour on the canals. There are pics of this in my online album.

Today I`m off to Chiang Mai on the overnight train…I`ll get back to you again from there! A quick thank you to all those who have taken the time to email me or put a comment on this blog. You have no idea how much contact from home (including mundane news from home) means when you know you are going to be away for so long. It makes you feel as if you are still connected. Amazing thing this technology! `Til next time…