"An Around-the-World-Ticket for Two, Please."

Thursday - travelling day!

Posted by Sarah O'Neill , Friday, 8 October 2010 18:59

Got up early and we were ready and waiting for the bus at 7.30am! At quarter to eight we were starting to wonder where it was, and Ben was starting to panic! I was sure it would turn up, and sure enough it did, rather late at 8am! Oh well! It was another mini-van, and I really think these mini-van drivers expect us to have no luggage! It was a bit of a squash getting it all on, but eventually he slammed the boot shut and it was in, thankfully not on the roof again! Next we had to squash into the van, no joke! It seemed that there was one other couple on the bus and the rest were local’s hitching a lift, so were far too many on the bus! At final count there were 16 people for 11 seats! However, they did make sure the paying customers had their own seats, but needless to say it was hot and overcrowded! The other couple were Dutch, the second Dutch couple we have met so far, the first being on our jungle trek. They were really nice, and were not at all impressed with the mini-van situation, especially when we realised it was going to be for the whole 3 hour journey to Trang! They were talking to us about many things, one of them being the political situation in Holland, which is very interesting and worrying. Funnily enough we saw some news about it on BBC World today! After 3 hours we got to Trang, where we were shown to our taxi that was taking us to the ferry port. We were on the 4pm ferry, but there was one at 1.30, so we asked if we could get on that. They said if we got there on time, so we were really hoping we would! It was a very hot journey, no air con, so windows down, which offered little relief and felt a bit like turning a hair dryer on in your face, for 2 hours! We pulled up at 1.25pm and ran in to see if we had made it, and luckily it seemed we were on the 1.30 ferry! Had to get our passports stamped as we were leaving Thailand and entering Malaysia! The ferry crossing was fine, just an hour and we were there! We knew we had to get to a cash point before we headed to the town we were staying in, as no cash points there, so needed to get plenty of cash for whole visit. The cash point said not enough funds, which was worrying! We then tried a different cash point, and then a different card, and still the same! We were worried we had had our bank account emptied by fraudsters! Saw a Starbucks with free wifi, so sat there to have a look at online banking! Panic over, money all still there, and plenty of it! But worrying that we had no way of getting cash, and we needed some! Had a little, from changing our left over Bahts, but not enough! I tried my other cards, and Ben tried all his, and nothing! Ben was getting super stressed and worried! I was more calm, saying we can’t be the only people who’ve turned up and had a problem getting cash out, so asked the Starbucks guys where the bank was. Unfortunately it was a 20 minute taxi ride away! I had one last attempt at the cash point and tried a lower amount, and hey presto, it worked!!!! Hooray! Suddenly realised we had been trying to take out more than the withdrawal limit! Silly Billies! Panic over, got more cash out and we were on our way!

Got a taxi to the Palms Guest House where we’d tried to call, and she was fully booked! Gutted! As we walked towards her next recommendation we saw a sign hanging on a wall, a room with TV, fridge, air con & hot shower, only £12 a night, so asked to have a look. It was strange, as it was a bit like a flat, a lounge area, a bedroom and bathroom, but it was pretty grotty. The bathroom was awful, and the toilet had obviously not been cleaned in months. It was a basic place and if it had been clean it would have been fine, but it was filthy. Decided to look at the other recommendation, but they were fully booked also. Had to go back to the gross place! 

We went out to explore and walked along the beach at sunset, it was beautiful. Quite busy with lots and lots of people around, and many bars and cafes, yay! Not a ghost town like Koh Lanta. We had a drink and watched the sunset, and then headed to a sea food restaurant we had seen on the way. They had regular set menu food, and then also sea food you could buy per 100g, Lobster, huge tiger prawns etc, so we decided to have chicken satay and spring rolls for starters, and then four of the massive tiger prawns with some rice and chicken with cashews. Ben went up to pick the tiger prawns, and came back looking a little sheepish! The tiger prawns had cost nearly £20! We both laughed and hoped they were good!!!! They were absolutely huge, about the size of my forearm, no joke! They were also REALLY delicious! We needn’t have ordered the other food, as there was so much meat on them! It was a really good meal and we enjoyed it! The whole meal including drinks was only £30, all that other food and drink was only £10!

Went back to the grotty place, and got online and skyped for a bit with Carol which was nice, although internet connection was a bit dodgy! We then had a look at other budget accommodation, and decided to move down to the next beach, where there was an excellent guest house in the book, with a great website where we could book online! It was still just a basic looking place, but you know that the ones listed in the book will be well kept and clean. Made our reservation, and slept better knowing we’d be leaving the grot!

Sarah