It's 10am in Tokyo, Japan. I'm about half-way through my 38 hour return journey. Yes, the journey over to Thailand to meet up with Brit Boy only took about 30 hours all told, but the return journey has been a bit more... um... complicated.
It started around 10am, Sunday, May 4, on the tiny island of Koh Tao, Thailand. South in the Gulf of Thailand. See, it was supposed to be relatively simple, albeit a bit tight on the timing.
10am boat from Koh Tao to the city of Chumphon, where we were to catch the train to Bangkok for me to catch my outgoing flight.
Easy, right? Hrmph!!!
Oh, did I mention that this was Labor Day Weekend in Thailand? Where loads of people, much like in the US, go off traveling for a long weekend? Yeah... that muddied things up a bit.
Well, that and the fact that there are a number of travel-related monopolies that stymy your attempts to get anywhere.
You want boat to mainland? Ok. You're catching the train to Bangkok? Yes, we will provide free transport from the pier to the station. You want to get there on time to catch your train? No, that won't happen. But we'll tell you that it will. So now that you've missed your train, and there's no transport from here to anywhere but the island you came from, you can take our bus to Bangkok. Yes, we can sell you the ticket now that you've missed your train. Oh, and it'll cost more now cuz you thought you could get away with trying to use someone else's services.
In reality, the extra cost equated to about $3.20 US. No big deal. However, in a country where $3.20 US can get you a massage (with happy ending), a pack of smokes for after, and a stiff drink for when you realize you've had sex with a 13 year-old (purely conjecture here, folks...), it's a lot of money.
That and the Thai have this remarkable ability to comlpetely ignore the fact that you exist when you raise a point of contention. Or at least that's been my experience. "You have a problem with something? Ok. Now let me ignore you as a human being while I reach through you to continue servicing the people that have no problems whatsoever so I can simply say "thank you" and begone with them."
In reality, I had a great time in Thailand. Please don't let this little post let you think otherwise. It's just that while I'm sitting in Tokyo's Admirals Lounge drinking my fourth mimosa (hey... it's 8pm back in Texas), I'm letting it out. Mainly so I won't take it out on some pore unsuspecting gate agent.
More details of the trip to follow.
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