After recently being over charged for travel, we have decided to do everything ourselves, bypassing the booking scams. This can often make things more interesting and a lot cheaper. Today we left Pai at 8am on a mini bus to Chiang Mai bus station. Time: 4 hours
On arrival there we thought we were going to be disappointed as the bus company we wanted to use to Bangkok was full. After running around the bus station (due to being on a time limit for a departing night bus) Matt managed to secure another bus for a third of the price and with a few hours to spare before departure. Time to spare: 4 hours
We departed Chiang Mai to Bangkok on a nightbus at 5.30pm. Time: 12 hours
21st October
5:30am arrival in Bangkok North Eastern Bus station. Here we were pleasantly surprised as we were informed that instead of having to make our way across town to another bus station we could catch the bus here. When you are tired and carrying a heavy bag this is like a gift from above. We managed to purchase a ticket for half the price (it didn't have a toilet but hey it's better than having to smell it the whole journey!) Time to spare: 1.5 hours
Bus from Bangkok to Chumphon. This bus should have taken 6 hours but we are in Thailand. Time: 9 hours
Because of the extra hours taken on the previous bus we missed the speed boat to Koh Tao (We had hoped to be in Koh Tao tonight....but again this is Asia!). We had two choices: 1. Stay in Chumphon until the morning and pay for a nights accommodation. 2. Get the night boat to Koh Tao today and save on a nights accommodation.
Having spent a lot of money recently, we decided on the latter to save some pennies. So we took a tuk tuk to the pier. Time to spare: 6 hours
At 10pm we boarded the cargo ship....yes 7 of us were to travel on the ship which took the beer supplies and construction materials to the island. But there was a bit of luxury, the night boats have recently been updated and now have a bunk bed dorm. After a few hours sat out on the front deck, we retreated to bed. We managed a few hours sleep even though we were slightly on edge after hearing stories of rats running round some of the ships. Time: 6.5 hours
Our second biggest journey to date, but in some ways a lot more tiring.
Total time: 43 hours.
M & C xxxx