Having a Great Time - Day 3 Thailand

Monday - 28 April 08

Hello to another great day in Thailand. We are in Kachanaburi, which is the River Kwai, bridge over the River Kwai and all its history. Its been a long trip but we are finally here and settled in to our travels. We arrived Bangkok late Sunday night and went straight to airport hotel. It was called the Convenient Hotel, which is exactly what it was 'convenient' we slept 5 hours and then up early to make our trip here to River Kwai. The language barrier is a little awkward when you are budget travelling and trying to catch buses to where you want to go. We caught the hotel taxi to Surambuthi bus station and then the bus from there into Southern bus terminal in Bangkok. What a trip! There are no road rage, but no road rules either, its drive or be driven over! Thank god we are not staying in Bangkok city itself, its millions of people, vehicles and buildings and smog that is almost as bad as Beijing.

We got to the Southern bus terminal in Bangkok and I must say safely, people are quite helpful when you need directions and guidence on where and how to buy tickets to where you want to go. We caught an air conditioned coach to Kachanaburi at 10.30am which took 2 hours and was quite comfortable, it must have been coz Rick slept. Lots to see along the way going through different little towns and its quite interesting to see how the Thai people go along with life. We arrived at Kanchanaburi bus station at 12.30pm and then caught a Songcheaw (a ute with seats in tray back) 4 kms to our accommodation. We are staying at Bluestar Guesthouse which is great budget accommodation of all styles. We opted for the 650 Baht ($22 Aud) a night room with a/c, cable tv and hot shower, we haven't worked out where the hot water in the shower is yet because it ain't hot, not that you need it. It doensn't have tea and coffee making facilities nor a bar fridge so we drink bottled water till we can get to the nearest cafe for our coffee fix. Check out the Bluestar website at: www.bluestar-guesthouse.com it's wicked. It is built on the swampy area of the River Kwai Yai and you can stay in Treehouses or log cabins and they are awsome, will take lots of photos. Thanks Kez and Wes for putting us on to Bluestar.

Now we have finally caught up on our sleep, we are getting out and about. When we arrived in Thailand it really felt like we were coming home, now I know why we miss the place when we leave. The people here in Kanchanaburi are great, very friendly and helpful. Last night after our afternoon nanny and poppy snooze we walked 2km to the night markets at the bridge on the river Kwai only to find out the night markets are actually day markets and are open from 6am to 7pm and we got there at 7pm. What tha! We started to walk back and caught a taxi, which is a motorbike with a bench on the side and the guy was pretty quick to stooge us and charge 80 Baht, ($3 Aud) rip off. Next time we ask price before we get on, we were hungry so let him get away with it this time. We had dinner at a little restaurant/cafe and all up for dinner and pepsi it cost us 120 Baht, which is $4 Aus. How cheap is everything here, especially compared to Phuket. We use internet cafe accross the road from our accommodation, how much you ask? 10 Baht (40 cents Aus) for 30 mins, wicked!

I am posting on blog everyday but a day later. Today (Tue) we are off to day/night market again. We have decided to get backpacks as carting a suitcase around on uneven ground and on and off buses and trains just doesn't do it. Its a pain in the arse! I am sure someone will love t receive our $20 Red Dot suitcase!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for updates. We are alive and well and loving it!! Love to everyone. Nic & Rick