Lopburi, Thailand

September 29th,

Didn't sleep at all, there were birds and animals making so much noise as well as my mosquito bites itching all night. I get up at 6am rinse and go see if the internet is back on. I am not liking how they turn it off at certain hours. Makes it really hard to try and connect with anyone back home. Alan is still at work so I get to talk to him for about an hour. Need to finish up booking the rest of my trip and figure out how I am getting from one point to the next. Also get my flights from San Franscico to Portland and Portland to Chicago booked.

It is now 8am and I planned on going to the Wat, Andrew was a maybe but showed up and we go get a Tuk Tuk. It will be 200b for the roundtrip, Patrice is staggering behind and joins us. It only takes about 10 mins to get there and spend about 30mins. We wanted to be back before 10a since they planned on going to Bang Pa In. I am tiring already and thinking I am not going to make the trip, but wait for them to get back to go to Lopburi with them.

The Wat was really different, there are not that many buddha wats in Ayuthaya and this one had over 200. The eyes were quite scary as they looked like the inside of glossy sea shells, when you moved it looked as if they were watching you. It reminded me of Congo. We were already sweating so bad and left. When we got back to Tony's Kerstin was eating breakfast and waiting for us. We ordered our food and sat for a bit. I mentioned I was not going to Bang Pa In and then Patrice said he didnt want to go as well. Looks like we will just head straight for Lopburi. This seems like a more relaxed plan.

The bill came and my food was not on there, so it was free. Had cereal, fruit, and yogurt. Check out time was 11am, packed up my things and waited in the restaurant area for them. The easiest way to get from Ayuthaya to Lopburi is by train. Takes about an 1.5. Kerstin suggests we walk to the train station and I suggest a Tuk Tuk. We asked how much for the Tuk Tuk and it is 50B for all 4 of us. Yes I we should take it. Then we go to the corner and they want us to pay 80, I walk away and another comes up and I say 50B for all to train. Hop in and go. The walk would have been miserable with all our stuff especially since we would still need the ferry to cross over. We arrived in 15 mins.

The next train is leaving at 1:05p, we have an hour to kill. Try to come up with a plan when we are there, heard it is so small and not really a place to stay. The only problem might be leaving after an hour or two and having to find a place in Sukhothai around midnight. Go to buy our tickets and it is 13B. We arrive in Lopburi at 2:20p and go to a guesthouse to find out the best way to Sukhothai, they tell us the train to Phitsanulok, but it would be too late to make the connecting bus there to Sukhothai. Looks like we have our decision made.

We get two rooms at Noom Guesthouse right on the corner. It is beginning to rain, we had it perfect timing. The rain was coming down so hard. Kerstin and I are rooming in the double bed and the boys have the room with the twin beds, for the one night is way only 125b per person. Glad it was so cheap.

The rain started calming down and there was a weekly market being setup. We only had about 15 mins to check out some of the museums as they close at 4p. Walk over and the guard tells us it is so late just go in for free. Thanks! The Palace had a great museum, really modern and you can tell that they are making it a bigger tourist destination. There was artifacts, buddhas, and pottery from all over Central Thailand dating from 13-16th century.
After we were really hungry and saw tons of street vendors, Andrew and Kerstin were more set on a restaurant, so we kept walking to see some more of the attractions. We walked and started seeing lots of monkeys. There were so many just climbing buildings, one stole a necklace, and others playing on cars. You can go into the Wat but I thought it was more interesting seeing them in the streets. Also I didn't want on jumping on me as they are pretty dirty from the rain and mud.

The town of Lopburi is so small that we were already back by the street market. Walked through the market and it was the best one I have seen yet, fresh salads, rice dishes, muscles, clams, shrimps, and desserts. Much different than any other. Patrice and I wanted to eat at the market and Kerstin and Andrew were still set on the restaurant. We pick a place where we can sit and eat.

I go get the salad and then some noodles with prawns and mushrooms. It ended up being so much food but the variety was good. Oh and one vendor had popcorn, bought that too. We sat outside at the guesthouse we can watch the people shop in the market and there was also a square with people doing aerobics. The King set up these free classes for people to learn these dance aerobics. Pretty funny, but a great way to bring their community together and stay fit. I tried a new beer, Leo, and it was ok. The label had Munchen written on it, Kerstin and I found that a bit odd. Andrew claimed that it tasted like Carlsberg, but we said no way. The music at the guesthouse for the evening was Oasis and Nirvana. Strange to hear in the middle of Lopburi.
It was almost 9p and we needed to pick up somethings for our train ride tomorrow morning, we were aiming for 6am. The store we found didn't have too much of a selection, but with the bread had Jiff Peanut Butter, no price. I picked it up to buy. When they rang up my products it was 219b ($8), wow that is crazy. I said no thank you.

We went back to the guesthouse and had one more beer before bed. I have been getting the worst attack of mosquitos biting me. My legs are covered and I am getting pretty sick of it all. We went upstairs and I had to take a quick shower. The group thought I was crazy as the shower was pretty grimmy. I went downstairs to turn on the light and it wouldn't work. Then I did something and think I broke it. I got the girl at the front and she tried to turn it on with a switch. Yup think I broke it. Her mom comes out, and says one minute, comes back with a candle and apologies. I had a candle lit shower, was probably better that I could see so well in there.

Went to bed under the mosquito net, hope I am protected.

Ayuthaya, Thailand

September 28th
Wake up later than I wanted to, but needed to get that sleep. I go down for the breakfast and they made eggs and gave two pieces of toast. There were 6 young Germans at the table. I finish up and go to find this street Soi 1 to see if there are rooms available. On my way I am sweating bullets and come across Wat Maha That, decide to go in.

There are some more surrounding but rather read on them to figure out which are the best. Walk down the road and turn right, quite a long walk to arrive to the center of the city. I stop at the bank for money exchange. I hand them my passport and some Euros, I get my bahts! Then I have to sign for it, the lady checks my signature and says it is different.

Ok I know it was 5 years ago I got my passort. Then the manager comes over and tell me everything is fine, sort of laughs and smiles. I leave and see Soi 1 right there, walk over to Tonys place and ask to see a room, decent and 100b less, let them know I want it but must come back. It is already 11:30a and I need to be out of the other place by 12. I could bike it but then have two bags to carry and it is hot. The other option is tuk tuk, but they try to rip you off so bad.

They wanted 100b for the round trip, I only got it down to 70. It took a total of 15mins to go there, pack, and back to Tonys. The room is sold but they have another. I get it. Then I walk across to the bike place and go riding to the wats.

 

I rode around taking pictures from the outside, just so many wats. Then I found an entrance into one from a back gate. I enter and it was actually really nice. There were a couple of kids there and asked to take my photo. Ok, they take a bunch and say thank you. I was about to walk away but had to ask why, they said homework. Thought it was really cute. Go back to my bike and there is a guard waiting there for me to pay the fee. Some of the wats are free and others not, oops. Then I want go go find this Buddha outside laying down, this one is free. Ride along the path but it is a little confusing, actually find it and then it is time to head back for this boat tour I booked.

It was a good 2.5hour riding. Very hot. I know the way pretty well and get back in 10mins. Go to Tonys and order some yellow curry. Tony and his brother ask me where I am from and tell them, Tony lived in Houston for a good while. Then it was 4p and I didn't finish my food. They wrapped up my food and stored it in the fridge.

I go for the boat tour. The view from the river was much different and enlightening. I met two girls from Canada and a guy from France. The first wat we went we had to climb over the wall. There was no canal entrance, this wat was amazing and the sun was beginning to set.

With the boat tour it was kind of a rip, went to one great wat and then this chinese market place. They dropped us off at the night market and walked back. I walked with the French guy from the tour. The walk was much longer than I thought and was tired when we reached Tonys. I really wanted to see the Wats lit up at night but also to sit for an hour.

Patrice was sitting with some people and I asked if I could join. One German who has a Scottish accent, Kersten, and an American from Billings Montana, Andrew. We have a nice chat and talk about where we are heading. They are traveling for 3 months on break from Masters program.

Mention that I am going up to Sukhothai and Andrew said maybe we will cross paths again, they are routing up that way as well. They said tomorrow they will go to Bang Pa In and Lopburi. I really wanted to check out Lopburi it is where monkeys roam freely. I was invited to come with them, they leave at 10a. Finished my beer and called it a night, have to wake up early to check out one more wat.

Erawan National Park, Thailand

September 27th

Wake up at 6:45am, didn't have the best sleep. All night long down the river there is karoke, and it is the worst thing imaginable. I put in my head phones to try and block out the sound, it helped. Get my things packed as I decided that I am not staying here another night but going to Ayuthaya after the falls. I wake up Nate and we bring the bikes back to the place, the lady there was so nice and gives us a ride to the station for 30baht.

Got there just in time for the 8:20 departure, it takes about 2 hours to get up, so want to get there early. Get to the bus and the man tells us not leaving til 9a. Damn could have sat and ate breakfast.

The bus finally leaves at 9:14 and I was wondering way so late. The ride up to the falls is nothing special but you could stop off at some parks or tourist attractions.

Enter into the park and and pay the 200 baht fee. The trail is pretty easy to follow. The first tier is only 10mins away and the second is another 5 mins. The whole distance is 2.1km. The 3rd tier has a huge waterfall, pretty impressive. I go to the 4th and there are a couple of rocks that you can slide down, I will be coming back down to do that.

Nate meets back up with me and right before we get to tier 5 he says he is not going up. Ok, he might be a little nuts. I go on and get to tier 5, spectacular. Then 6, think this is getting better and better. Nate should have come up. I go around a corner and there is a fall with a cave. Then I leave my bag as it is a steeper route up this way towards 7. It is like crawling out of a dark tunnel, 7 is out in the open with trees covering it. Pretty amazing how each waterfall is completely different. There was a butterfly down by tier 2 that I tried take a picture of and the same kind was at the top, got a pic of it!

  

I don't spend too much time up there. Want to Get my pack and go swimming some more. When I go back down I started to get a little worried I wouldn't remember where I had put it, there were more waterfalls on a different route down. I walk a little bit in and see tier 6 below, success I grab my bag.

The tier that I really wanted to swim in was 3, but wanted to slide down the rocks at 4, head there and go for a ride. It was so much fun! I screamed a little. Then I had to capture the moment and take some photos, setup the tripod. There were two young guys yelling for me to hurry when they saw the flashing red light, made me nervous but it was just the timer.

After I heard some thunder and went to 3, getting closer to the bottom is better incase it does rain. At 3 there more people than before, but left as soon as the heard more thunder. I saw for a bit and then the showers started coming down. Already put my waterproof cover on the bag so everything was protected. Walk to the bridge and see Nate. Go to change out of my suit and run to catch the 2pm bus. Made it and was the only one leaving at that time.

Get back into town and immediately look how to get up to Ayuthaya. Couple of options but the best is to head back to Bangkok and take the train from northern terminal. Crap really didn't want to go through BKK. Book my mini van ticket for 130B and say bye to Nate.

The ride down I slept, supposed to be two hours but am well aware of the traffic getting in and out of bkk. It was a mess, got dropped off at Victory Monument at 7p (not 6) and had to take the subway to the train station. Asked a girl and she let me know I had to take BTS to the MRT which seemed different to what I originally thought.

Go up and talk to the change man and he told me what to do, buy my ticket and another woman comes up to me and says that I go up stairs and get off at Silom and cross over to the other train, when I do all this I am so grateful, because the next train came exactly when we arrived and I ran over to it without much thought. She saved me a good ten minutes. Then I get off to make the transfer to MRT, the walk way was quite nice all covered, it was pouring rain outside.

Make it to the train stop and it took about 30mins all and all, I buy the ticket for the next train leaving at 7:50pm. The 3rd class ticket was 20B and would take 1.5 hours. There were more stops along the way the listed on the schedule, so I asked someone and he said he goes to Ayuthaya. Then there was a delay for our train and I watched the next one pass us while sitting on the tracks. It seemed like we were going to have to transfer trains when the 2nd train was coming to pass us. I was thinking cool I want to jump from one train

to the next, but we didn't. Ours started to go and we left before the other one. Think something was wrong with the engine.

Finally make it to Ayuthaya at 10p. Don't have place to sleep and the guy that I was talking to walks me down a street to a guesthouse and boat transfer, thanks guy. The people try to get me to sleep at the "guesthouse" really rundown shack and I say I have a room already. Leave and walk back to the train station, the ferry was closed already. Some European travelers are coming out of the station and I ask them where they are staying. They give me the name Makador and I have no idea, hope it is on Soi 1 with the rest of the backpackers.

The owner comes to pick them up and we ask if there is room for one more. We hop in and they tell me some stories about their ride from Erawan Waterfalls; apparently they couldn't get on the last bus and asked some people that had a party bus for a ride. The party bus was decked out in lights, dj playing music, and booze. They were pretty funny people one from Holland and the other from Spain.

We get to the place and it is late, book the room for 400b. There is no Internet and pouring rain. I take a shower and hit the hay.

Kanchanaburi, Thailand

September 26th

I slept almost the whole way, when we arrived in Bangkok I really didn't want to leave the station to just come back to head up to Kanchanaburi. Nate needed to go pick up somethings from Khao San Rd though. He is going to Kanchanaburi with me.  We just missed the number 32 bus to Khao San Rd and waited another 15mins for it. By the time it came was only 7 baht, but took 30 mins to get there.

Now it is 8:15a. Go straight to the left luggage and hop on the Internet. Was checking with Julia's family in Bangkok to see if I could leave a few things with them. It was Sunday so not sure how fast they would respond. We leave there grab some food and go to get the bus 30 to Southern terminal. See the bus go just missed it again, getting tired of this. Waiting for 20 mins and it is hot and my patiences are running out. It will still take 2 hours to arrive once we get a bus. Hop in a taxi and the guy said it was metered and knew where Sai Dài bus station was at, then he pulls over to ask one of the tuk tuk guys where the bus terminal is, and then doesn't turn on the meter. We ask how much he says 200baht, Nate and I both say no no stop. We get out of the cab and get another one. This guy speaks English and puts the meter on, comes to 85baht.

Need to buy the ticket and do some money exchange, the exchange is closed and ticket sales are upstairs. Nate goes faster than me and I lose him so find the ticket window and he is not there. The next bus is at 11a. Tell a girl that she can pay I am waiting for someone. I go around the corner and see him, tells me that there was a 10:40a for 75b. Well we get the 11a for 99.  Go downstairs to the bus. The girl from the line is on the bus and we start talking to her,Alexis, she has been traveling for a year. Really nice and gave me some names of hostels in Siem Reap.

Arrived in Kanachaburi we just need to take a taxi to the main road where all the guesthouses are located, we have them take us all to Apples. It is more than I want to pay, 600baht for one night. I said I'm going to Sugar Cane as I heard good things and it is cheap. Nate and I walk over there and they have rooms available for 150 with a fan. Sounds good!

Since it was already late in the day we were not going to Earwan National Park where the waterfalls were at. Instead grabbed a little food, showered, and went to rent a bike. There was a close trail 15 minutes to the Death Bridge Rail. The bikes were easy to rent, no deposits and pay for 24hours.

Riding on the road it still takes a little getting used to as it is the British way. Motor bikes, carts, and cars all coming for us. Get off the main road and cross over another bridge and it is a straight shot.

There were many cows on the back road and they had the strangest looking ears! I went to take a picture and it started running really fast, was scared probably from my breaks. They were awful and made

loud sreeching noises.

The bridge was beautiful and rustic. You are able to walk across it so up we went, was nice to walk toward the rest of the people instead of with them. Right at the top of the stairs there was a man and his daughter, he said she should say hi to us, she just blushed. Really precious. Almost everyone came from the city center. When we got near the end, Nate said what if a train came. All of a sudden a train was heading straight for us, tracks still operating. There were little platforms for us to safely move to while on the bridge. Was a pretty cool sight being that close to the train.

We got to the end and there was a small market taking place. Nate got us some coconuts with milk in it. There wasn't very much in there but was still good. This one vendor had something that looked really good and I waited for a family to finish ordering to get some, when they finished they took them all.

Spent a little more time there walking around but I wanted to go to the cemetery we passed, looked amazing. Rode the bikes back towards the hostel and a little more up North, hooked a right and it was right there.

  

First there is the Cemetery for the soliders who died during the war, and then another Chinese cemetery next to it. They were both beautiful but the Chinese cemetery blow me away. The sun was just about to set and there wasn't much more to do in the town. There were some Chinese arches that led to an amusement park. Seemed like it would be a lot of fun.

 

 

Returned to the guesthouse and decided to eat dinner there, I wanted pad see ew and it was not as good as Apples in Bangkok. I put some spicy in it and it was a little better. I became so tired I called it a night.

Surat Thani, Thailand

September 25th

Wake up at 8am and get ready to leave the island. We didn't book a ticket yet so had to figure out how we are getting back up to central Thailand. Wanted to make a stop in Hau Hin and take the overnight to Bangkok. Went to one travel agency and they said the price was 1100 and only to Bangkok. Left there and went to get some breakfast since the first ferry wouldn't leave til 11am anyways. Sit down and find out all the times of the ferries leaving for the day. There was one at 10am, but it is 10 now. I ordered an ice coffee and cereal with yogurt. The place was completely English and even had imported beer, Heineken and German beer. Thought it was funny.

Finish up and go straight to another travel agency. The lady tells us some options, but has to check availability. She makes a dozen calls and says everything is sold out. Crazy how easy it is for us having all systems connected. There is one option and that is to leave at 12:30p by ferry and then to take the train at 8:30p from Surat Thani to Bangkok that will arrive at 6am. Completely losing a full day, but want to get up North to Kanchanaburi and then to Chiang Mai. Glad to have come down to the islands, but was not wanting to spend the majority of my time here. When I flew over I had no idea when, where, and how long I was going to be anywhere.

We have our departure time and the area is so small that I go sit at the English restaurant again to get some planning done for the remainder on my trip. Really do not want to lose time in case I like a city so much and want to spend extra days there. I have right now Kanchanaburi, Ayuttanya, Chiang Mai, and the some cities in Laos.

I went a couple of shops and found some earring that were pretty cute. Then head to the port a noon. It was a mess, packed full of people. There were actually 3 ferries leaving at 12:30p. On the boat I just edited my photos and listened to some music.

When we ported I had to pee so bad, I go by the tourist building and it is closed. Ask someone where do I go pee? They pointed to the other pier. There isn't enough time to walk there and back

Since the bus for the train station is right here. Great will hold it. Board the bus and I find a single seat first row, grab it. The temp is too hot and the buses too small to sit next to people comfortably. The window and door is open and I realize I have the best seat on the bus!

A few hours later we have a stop and I immediately go to use the toilet. Did not know what to think of the toilets, this place gave you a sheet of paper but usually you need to bring your own teepee. Then you throw it in the bin. To "flush" the toilet you pour water into a bucket and then dump it into the toilet.

I go to see if there is any food that looks good, but just the norm; pad thai, fried rice, and corn on the cob. The corn looks good but I go for an ice cream. Back on the bus for another 45mins.

We arrive into Surat Thani at 5p and the train leaves at 8:25p. Instantly we go walk to town. About 5-10mins and there are all vendors setup on the street. So much food to chose from, we saw some tourist and went to checkout what they were getting. Seemed to pass by here before. Soup with fish balls. I walk a little ways down to see what else there was. Nate joked about getting some critters. I found this stand that made this crepe/pancake thing. It looked delicious so I order the strawberry one, thank you she says. When she goes to put on the jam I tell her wait stop and ask to have the banana with egg. She was so happy and thanked me repeatedly, only think it is because this one was more baht. I take a seat and Nate goes to get the critters, he wasn't joking. I eat my food and it is fabulous, loaded with sugar and cream. He comes back with grasshoppers, I ask if he ate them before, nope a new experience. He said he didn't like the flavoring. I then had one, a small one, and it was not good at all.

I went to see what other foods were available. There was chicken, squid, fish, fruits and rice dishes. I asked a girl how much for the squid she said 50b , ha that is pricey. On the way back to the train saw another vendor with some squid asked how much and they said 20 baht for one and 10 for the other. Alright now were talking, got some squid. They put some chili sauce on it and it was spicy. Walked back to the station and the train is delayed. No time posted though. I find a plug and charge up the electronics.

Our train is on the tracks so we go sit on it at 8p. Two girls from Singapore sit across from us. We talk with them for a bit. I am getting so tired and lounge out on the two seats.