The train to Bangkok from Nam Tok left early so we were up at 4.15. We had to walk 20 mins to the station past the sleeping stray dogs. They were not sleeping for long! Each dog woke to bark, which woke the next...
The train journey was rather pleasant, through picturesque countryside. Overall, we were on the train for about 5 hours. In the beginning the wind through the open windows was c..c..cold but as the sun rose, it soon warmed up.
We arrived at Thon Buri and tried our luck with Bangkok bus 157. It skirted across the city from one side to the next. Of course it took forever as the traffic in Banglok hardly moves, due to congestion! But, it got us all the way to Chatacuk Weekend market, one of the largest in the world!
There were no hotels in the area, so we had to change our plans. There was a huge shopping centre next to the market, so we left our bags with the security guard at the supermarket. Now, we could explore the market, unhindered! It was huge. You could buy everything and anything. Signs helped you navigate the labyrinth of alleyways. Christine's eyes lit up at every clothes store...
After collecting our bags we caught the metro to Sukhumvit to try to find a place to sleep. Wow, there were huge hotel chains which cost a lot. There were small seedy looking hotels which cost at least 4 times what we were used to paying in the country! We jumped back on the metro to a different area.
We eventually found a room for a good price in Hualampong, near the main train station. We ventured out to eat, then collapsed in our bed after a long but adventurous day!
The train journey was rather pleasant, through picturesque countryside. Overall, we were on the train for about 5 hours. In the beginning the wind through the open windows was c..c..cold but as the sun rose, it soon warmed up.
We arrived at Thon Buri and tried our luck with Bangkok bus 157. It skirted across the city from one side to the next. Of course it took forever as the traffic in Banglok hardly moves, due to congestion! But, it got us all the way to Chatacuk Weekend market, one of the largest in the world!
There were no hotels in the area, so we had to change our plans. There was a huge shopping centre next to the market, so we left our bags with the security guard at the supermarket. Now, we could explore the market, unhindered! It was huge. You could buy everything and anything. Signs helped you navigate the labyrinth of alleyways. Christine's eyes lit up at every clothes store...
After collecting our bags we caught the metro to Sukhumvit to try to find a place to sleep. Wow, there were huge hotel chains which cost a lot. There were small seedy looking hotels which cost at least 4 times what we were used to paying in the country! We jumped back on the metro to a different area.
We eventually found a room for a good price in Hualampong, near the main train station. We ventured out to eat, then collapsed in our bed after a long but adventurous day!
