Suratthani Revisited

We had a short holiday in good ol' Thailand.
It was odd coming into the new airport -
half finished and without any public transport.

In a way though,
it felt like coming home.
So many good memories.

Stayed one night in Bangkok,
Just off Khao San Road.
We went and got street food at two am.

Despite the coup, Taksim's plan of having everything shut by one.
See the remnants of the recently closed pubs and clubs,
reminded me why I didn't spend much time around here.

The next day we were on the night train to our old home of Surat.
Unfortunately, because of the public holiday we only got third class seats.
In a carriage designed for about 60 there would have been over 120 people.

Getting up for the toilet had to be a calculated manoeuvre.
Stepping and jumping over bodies left, right and centre.
We made it down to the dining car and drank until they threw us out.

We were lucky to get our seats back.
There was no sleeping on this train.
By about four I was considering jumping out the window and hitching the rest of the way.

We made it all the way however,
Lucky my old boss gave us somewhere to have a shower and recuperate.
For that, and the use of a motorbike, I will be eternally grateful.

We arrived at an interesting time.
Most of those who we knew had left,
Those that we knew well were in the process of leaving.

Surat town itself hadn't changed all that much.
The foreshore was better developed and it seemed a bit bigger,
but apart from that it seemed the same.

The trouble it the south may account for the increase in size,
people would much rather move up to Surat,
than deal with the bombings.

We were straight on the nightboat,
off to Kho Pang Nang for a gathering.
Sean, Tara, Sharon, Simon, Willy and ourselves.

Willy had a big bungalow near the little fishing villiage at the top of the island.
Here we had many good times, Shongkran celebrations and duty free cocktail creations.
We went swimming and snorkeling during the hot lazy days... good times.

But it was time to make move.
For new adventures in a new land...

Taiwan

Songkhran Fireworks