Bangkok to Korat to Phimai

Wednesday 27th March

The train journey was four and a half hours, and we spent the first two catching up on sleep, having got up at 5.30am to get to the station (if only we'd known the train would be late!). Several times when we stopped at stations, hot food was loaded onto the train. We shared a delicious 'tray' of rice, pork and yet another fried egg.
The train began to climb, the scenery became greener, interspersed with acres of cement works and quarries. Hin Lap station looked sleepy, with a vegetable plot alongside the tracks, and we saw golden statues of Buddah placed on hillsides.

At Nakhon Ratchasima, 'Korat', we were met by Peter Simmonds, a friend of John's since school-days. Peter's brother needed to use the car for his annual cricket tour to Chang Mai, so Peter hired one to drive us around in. Not knowing us well, he thought we'd have a lot of luggage, and hired a pickup! Very comfy though.  He drove us to Phimai and we found a hotel near the river and checked in. We were greeted in the Amatara hotel room by a pair of kissing swans …                      We drank Leo beers with giant prawn appetisers on the hotel balcony. Peter had thoughts of finding a restaurant, but after a brief foray into Phimai centre, we realised that 7.30pm was rather late for a rural non-tourist town. As it turned out, the hotel was keen to cook for us, and we shared three excellent dishes, including whole seabass.  

Waiting for the train to Korat at Bangkok

Wednesday 27th March

We’re used to waiting for trains but usually in the UK. The ‘express’ train arrived an hour late.  But the food from the station café was tasty and cheap.

* from Sharon — it was a huge relief when it eventually arrived.

The station waiting room is large, with an area with ornate wooden seats for the Buddhist monks.

A long day's travelling

Tuesday 26th March

BANGKOK

It took more or less 24 hours from leaving home to landing at Bangkok airport.

Luckily not our shuttle bus

The Air China flight was prompt and efficient, with good food, as long as you like chicken in oyster sauce for dinner and beef congee for breakfast (John's choice), melon balls, cheesecake.
The downside was the officious security at Beijing, who confiscated our portable mobile chargers. Grrr.





A shuttle bus picked us up (eventually) and drove us to Gold Airport Hotel via a roundabout route that went back to Arrivals three times to pick up more passengers.



The swimming pool was open until 10pm and especially inviting in the light of our long day. So glad I packed the cossies where I could find them! The slide was fun.

 Accompanied by a welcome breeze

Singha, spicy glass noodles and spring rolls to end the day.

On our way …

Managed to persuade Smuggler that he wouldn't fit in, even if it is a big rucksack.

A minor blip in Heathrow car park when John insisted he hadn't got his passport.  It was in a pocket of his coat that he didn't know he had. Should be boarding soon. Bangkok here we come. Well, Beijing first …

I've relaxed a bit now I'm drying out. Dreaming of a good roll in something nice and smelly to get rid of that clean smell.

Getting ready …

Smuggler is getting angsty 😟

As soon as the rucksacks came out and the clothes were sorted, Smugs started to look worried. He's followed us around the house and laid on our feet for the last week.

This morning I laid out a row of special treats in the bathroom, which he knows is the cue for "a bathee". He was really good and climbed into the shower when I asked him to. Afterwards he knew he would be allowed to choose his treats. He saved the biggest till last, but probably because he couldn't get hold of it on the edge of the washstand! 

We've told him he's looking beautiful, but his expression says it all — "you're leaving me …"

Now it's time for him to have his own adventure, a month aboard Narrowboat Gordanneus. 

There's no need to worry, he adores our friends Sheila and Kev, and we know they will take good care of him.