Jess & Jude's Adventures in Thailand 2004

Wednesday 9 June 2004
Kanchanaburi to Bangkok

Had our last breakfast at Apples then back to the Blue Star to pack. We took a motorcycle taxi to the bus station (40bt) at 9am. We picked up a 1st class air con bus to Bangkok shortly afterwards. We had a good trip back, Jess slept most of the way. Once at the Southern Bus Station the taxi drivers really hassled us. They offered 200bt, then 100bt to KSR. I sensibly opted for a metered taxi and paid 51bt! (Note: Always take metered taxis, a lot safer and cheaper!)

We wanted somewhere to put our packs for 6 hours so we booked into the Rambuttri Village in on Soi Rambuttri, only 2 min walk to KSR. (450bt) It was a little expensive but we had air con and a hot shower. Walked down to KSR for some lunch and to catch up on emails and journal. We found a fast I-net place and spent 2 hours there (40bt/hr). Afterwards we took a walk along KSR checking out the stalls. We killed another 1/2 hour at another I-net place then went back to the hotel for a shower and a rest. We checked out at 7.30pm just as it started to rain. Bugger had to find a taxi in the rain. It took us awhile as all the taxis wanted to charge a flat rate of 300bt. I finally found a metered cab and paid 250 including tolls.

We had a 2 hour wait at the airport for our Air Asia flight to Chiangmai. There is no allocated seating with Air Asia so first in gets best seats. It's always a made stampede to the entrance when the flight is called. Jess had the right idea and stepped up when they called for children first. She was first down on to the plane and grabbed good seats up the front. A bit cheeky, but I wasn't complaining.

We arrived in Chiangmai at 11pm and took a taxi to the Suriwongse Hotel (100bt). I had already booked three nights at this hotel over the internet from Australia. We checked into our very spacious room, dropped the bags and hit the streets. Unfortunately the night markets were just finishing. Jess spotted a McDonalds right across the road from the hotel so she called in for a Big Mac. (Yes Ferg we did go to Macca's - first time, honest!) I couldn't eat Macca's so afterwards I grabbed a coffee at Starbucks then off to bed at 12.30am.