The long road to Chumphon

Yesterday we left Kachanaburi to head down south. We decided on Chumphon because its next to one of the ferry Ports that goes to Ko Tao.

Train leaves Kanchanaburi at 7.30am, we're super organised so get up at 6am...if only we knew what was in store!...

Got to the station at 7am and are told that there was an accident to the rail so it would be delayed by 2 hours. That's ok, we chilled out by the track, had some fried chicken and rice for breakfast, all was fine.

Over two hours have passed, still no sign. The conductor then says another hour, then another...finally at 12 he tells us he doesn't think the train will come at all! Lovely!

We get a tuktuk to bus station and are soon crammed in a mini bus going to the next town, nakthon pathon. Got there after at 1pm.





Check the timetable, there's a train at 2.30, great! Went to buy our tickets and the train is booked out so we have to wait until 4.30!!



There's a huge temple overlooking the town so we decide to walk up to it..in mid day sun with rucksacks..it was tough! Worth it though. Its a big Buddhist temple that holds the relics of Lord Buddha. Was a beautiful and peaceful place. No tourists, lots of monks and religious people.

Luke's favourite new thing to do is sit over the edge of the train smoking fags!

We got our train at last!! Travelling by train is so wonderful, you get to see the people as they really live. The tracks are lined with peoples homes which are basically shacks, crammed with everything imaginable..and often have a massive satellite dish outside!!!  Anyway, we settled into the journey and 7hours later we were in Chumphon!!

Praise the Lord!!!

We arrived at our guest house just after 12pm. Seriously have to stop arriving at places in the dark. We always seem to book somewhere down a really dodgy looking side street...or in someone back yard as this time proved! Seems terrifying at night, literally like we're being brought off somewhere terrible! Our land lady was lovely though and we soon realised we were among good people!

we stayed in the first house. The other two were occupied by some guys from the navy!

 

Chumphon is nice. Haven't seen one tourist here. We spent the day walking around town, booked our boat to Ko Tao, had a picnic in the park, ate some lovely bananas.. Chumphon is famous for their fruit.

They also love their birds!!! On the main street. each street lamp has a huge ornate bird perching at the top, and they have the same bird in decorative cages hanging outside their stalls and homes.

 So just going out for some dinner now...then an early rise tomorrow to cross over to paradise :)