The plan was to get up early and make my way to the eastern bus station to catch the 09:45 bus to Trat (where I would catch the ferry to Koh Chang Island). I did get up early having re packed my rucksack the night before (I liken it to a jack in the box as I only need to loosen the main toggle and all my belongings start to spring out and therefore requires constant re organising!) and made my way to the main road. Catching the bus from the eastern station did not go to plan though. My Taxi driver was adamant that the northern bus terminal was the best and quickest route to Trat as it is the station most used by Thai's. My limited use of the language did not allow me to adequately put my point across so I soon found myself standing in the Northern terminal at 09:00 and being told the next bus was due at 11:00! I sat next to a group of locals on a hard plastic bench and settled in for the wait.
The bus eventually pulled out of the station around 11:30 and it was full. I was sitting next to a very nice elderly Thai gentleman and we managed to communicate very well through the universal language of 'smiling'. The weather was hot and although the bus had air conditioning I decided to shut mine off the moment the old gentleman produced a scarf from his bag and wrapped it tightly around his shivering neck. I hence forth was resigned to a long and very hot bus journey but he was just so lovely that I was more than prepared to suffer the heat.
About an hour into the journey the bus conductor came round and handed out a pink cardboard box and a bottle of water to each passenger. All the locals barely looked at the box before stuffing it in the seat pouch. I on the other hand examined this FREE offering with glee (a very British reaction) and eagerly searched the contents. There were two packets of breadsticks, long life milk and a couple of sachets of sugar. Not quite the treasure I was expecting but did I mention it was FREE?!
I did manage to drift of to sleep at times throughout the 6hr journey and when awake looked at the passing scenery. The further south from Bangkok we went the more lush the surroundings and we passed some small forests and agriculture land. Even outside the main cities and town there was plenty of large advertisement signs along the road sides (Thailand does like to advertise things is the brightest and cheery way they can). I noticed, as I had on previous trips to Thailand, that there is a huge disparity in housing. Wooden shacks sit side by side with elaborate gated villas which in turn are located next door to modest bungalows.
The bus finally arrived on the outskirts of Trat and the passengers wanting to get to the port boarded a Songtaew (pick up truck taxi) which took us on a bumpy 1/2 hr ride down dirt roads to the waiting ferry.
No sooner had I lugged by bags (looking like some tortoise hybrid) up the steep steps, the ferry started moving and I was hit by a delicious cool breeze. The sun was setting at this point and it looked beautiful reflecting off the sea.
The journey was less than an hour and I was once again strapped by baggage to me and disembarked to board another Songtaew which set off around on the steep winding roads of the Island. It was dark by now and the only light came from the headlights of vehicles. There is something exhilarating about traveling fast round sharp bends with a breeze in your face while you clutch onto the ceiling bar for dearlife.
I was the last person to be dropped off and I surveyed what was to be my surroundings for the next 8 days. The B&B was right on the beach and sandwiched between two funky hippy style restaurants compete with hammocks and colourful comfy mats. My room was also lovely with a huge double bed and a fridge (sheer luxury).
I think I am going to be very happy here.
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