still more catch-up

First of all, for Ryan...we went to Pai to see some of the scenic view in the mountains of northwestern Thailand. We had heard of a mountain of golden flowers that were in bloom, as well as all the mountains along the border of Burma--breathtaking vistas and all that good stuff. It didn't work out that we saw any specific vistas...but it was beautiful.

We drove back in to Chiang Mai, making it to the car rental office at half past eleven on Monday morning. Ashley & I had a train to catch at 2:30 that afternoon, while Randi and Jen had VIP bus tickets that left that evening after six. I saw the two ladies away on a sawngtheaw, and then the car rental associate drove us to the train station. He asked if we were hungry, and when we told him yes, he stopped by a mall so that we could visit the food court. And what a mall! At least four stories, with the equivalent of a Super Wal-mart AND a Home Depot located inside, along with an electronics/appliance store, and all the normal mall shops filled with clothes and trinkets. It was a school day, so noticeably absent were all the juvenile delinquents that really let you know that you are at the mall; I'm sure they head straight there after school lets out. We ate lunch, and then hit up the Super whatever-mart to get some snacks. We got goodies like paprika flavored potato chips (yum!), dried papaya, dried durian-a fruit the size of a small watermelon but covered with prickles, apples and peanuts and cashews. After paying at check out number 40, I realized how glad I was that I hadn't been in a massive "store" like that since leaving the states.

We got to the train station, and found out that someone had canceled their berth in the second class sleeper car, so we quickly upgraded from our second class seats. It was an air conditioned car, but once on the train I realized it was okay since we could walk to other cars and hang out the windows and doors there. ANd it wasn't so cold that we shivered all night. Although the air con cabin was more expensive, we still only paid about 1500 baht for our two tickets from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. It was an overnight trip that got us to the station a little after 6 am. From there we took the trains to the bus station, and hopped the 7:45 bus from Bangkok to Lompnang, the pier where we caught the ferry to Koh Chang.

But back to the train. I need my parents to remind me if I have ever been on one before. Leaning out the doors, watching the countryside slide by, I was filled with a sense of adventure and elation. I took some videos, and went and got Ashley from our seats, and together we stood in the portal together, with our faces being whipped by the Thailand wind and kissed by the setting sun. Thailand's trains get my endorsement for sure!