Home » Thailand » July 29th: Go South

In pictures of guesthouses that I've seen around, rooms somehow always look larger and cleaner than their partners in reality. Somehow, whenever I arrive at a guesthouse, the ubiquitous flowers in the porcelain vase are always missing from the bedside table and are replaced by ants and broken screen windows. Oops, what can I be thinking? I'm a student travelling on a budget in India and Pakistan and Thailand. Silly girl.

July 29th: Go South

Esilbert
2006-01-19 13:36:01

Displayed times (last time: )

In pictures of guesthouses that I've seen around, rooms somehow always look larger and cleaner than their partners in reality. Somehow, whenever I arrive at a guesthouse, the ubiquitous flowers in the porcelain vase are always missing from the bedside table and are replaced by ants and broken screen windows. Oops, what can I be thinking? I'm a student travelling on a budget in India and Pakistan and Thailand. Silly girl.

The good news: the beaches in Thailand actually look like their pictures, and like postcards. I'm positive I could sell some pictures I took while in southern Thailand, even as an amateur. Everything is green, turquoise, robin's egg blue and as vibrant as any Thai silk.

First, a quick in-transit tale: I was heading down to Railey Beach near Krabi and took the government's VIP 24 seat bus. Anyone who is going, read this. It is amazing. Do not get a bus from Khao San Road, even though they're cheaper and leave from Khao San. They're not as nice, longer by several hours, you have to switch buses (hence the extended length), and friends I met had money stolen from their bags. Guidebooks warn but on this subject no one listens. The VIP bus had seats that reclined to about 180 degrees and back massage functions. We were served KFC as a snack. To catch the bus to Krabi, go to the southern bus terminal. From Khao San it should be about 60 Baht by taxi and a half hour ride.

Okay, so after an unbelievably cozy 11 hour ride, save for the Thai music they play to wake you up upon arrival, I got out at Krabi bus station and had a most wonderful experience. "Tourist Information!", touts were screaming. The people I was with wanted to check it out and, always on the lookout for scams (10 weeks in India and Pakistan - need I say more?!) I was skeptical. this time I was wrong and I worship at the alter of Jacob Valdez.

A sign on the block by Krabi bus ...