Saturday 20th November 2004
A Tiring Day.
I was expecting a call from Pat this morning at the hotel. I never realized how restricted I would feel without my mobile phone. I deliberately didn't bring it because I didn't feel like it was necessary when backpacking. No calls by check out time, so I had to check out. I left my bag in the hotel reception and headed out to find a cheap room in the nearby vicinity for the night. After seeing pretty ropey rooms for the price they were asking I found a half decent room on KSR in the Classic Inn. It was not as nice as the New World as there is nowhere to hang washing. i.e. no Balcony, but it's got air conditioning. Anyway I don't intend staying in here much. Just to sleep really. Called Pat from a pay phone, but got cut off and then couldn't get through. Anyway I've got something important to do, so I can do that today. I've decided to go to Chantaburi and then to a border crossing near there instead of the more popular crossing at Arunyaprathet. It meets up with Pailin in Cambodia and I understand it has not been open to foreigners for very long. Made my way to the sky train on the boat again and then took the train to Ekkamai Bus station to find out details of buses to Chantaburi. Nong tells me that Chantaburi is lovely and she wants me to send her a report of the border crossing as she has not heard of it before and likes my adventurous approach.
Decided to book a room for the 21st back in the New World. It's just right for me th
is place. I can wash my clothes in the bathroom and hang them on the balcony; they provide 2 complimentary bottles of water every day. I am beginning to fall in love with this city with it's strange mix of aromas. For example near to the New World in a Khlong (canal) that really does smell bad, but it just becomes part of the atmosphere and this smell seems to waft up from the drains all over the city randomly and mixes with the delicious cooking aromas of the various restaurants and street vendors! Dinner was nice tonight. No MSG or other additives on the corner of Samsen soi 2 just round the corner of The New World. There is a traditional Thai massage place next door, which, after my wonderful experience yesterday I went to tonight. One hour for less than £3 including the tip. The masseuse was very strong, but once the initial pain subsided I felt much better. All the tightness in my shoulders and back has gone!
