Phuket to Kualar Lumpar- "The Journey"

The day started off well enough, I woke up on time and me and Jess caught a taxi to the bus terminal at 7.45am. The bus to Had Yai left on time at 8.30am and the arrived in Had Yai at 3.30pm. The journey was pleasant enough as we made a few stops along the way to break the journey.

Once in Had Yai before I got off the bus as always I was surrounded by people offereing taxi, motorbike and just shouting "where you going". I ignored them but one guy just followed me to the ticket office- I asked for a ticket to Kualar Lumpar and he said that I couldnt buy the tickets from here and had to go to one of teh tour companies (which i thought was a bit dodgy!). Anyway, the guy that was following me took me to a tour company behind the bus terminal and she said that a bus leaves to KL at 6pm but they pick you up from here at 5.30pm and that it would cost me 600 baht! I said that was too expensive and she managed to budge to 550. I asked here why I couldnt but ticket from bus terminal and she said that they only go to places within Thailand. I asked if the prices were the same everywhere and she said "same same". I paid. Then as i was walking round I could not resist but ask another tour operator for the ticket price to KL, she told me the same times but quoted me 450 baht without even haggling!!!! I went back to the orignal women and told her this and she just shouted and said different bus but i said you said "same same" so she shouted more and then gave me 100 baht back!

So after this I still had time to kill so I thought I would get something to eat, and then suddenly it started raining, but really really hard!!! After waiting for the rain to stop I found this place to eat- I ordered Pad Thai but with chicken this time as it was a halal place. The lady asked me what i wanted to drink, i said coke and she bought me and iced coffee that was warm but had ice in it! It tasted awesome so i didnt complain. The meal and drink cost me 42 baht- thats ridiciulous!!

Anyway now I am in an internet cafe trying to pass some time. Apparently the bus to KL leaves at 6pm and doesnt get into KL until 4am!!! I am not looking forward to the journey! It would definately been easier to fly- costs about 2400 baht- but not sure it would be as much fun!