I’m trying out a new style of writing based on some suggestions I had from a close friend of mine. This is all quite an experiment for me and any advice you can give me on my writing will be greatly appreciated. This post is photoless, because I didn’t take any picture on this day, but I hope my words are enough. I know I haven’t written much about Thailand (I got lazy), but I will do in the future. For Myanmar, I hope to document almost every day, starting with the day before. Without further ado, let’s begin.

*

“We’ve found you a driver” flashed my phone, indicating it was time to say my goodbyes. “He will be there in two minutes.” I looked at Jonas, the Belgian with whom I’d been travelling for the last two weeks.

“My taxi is almost here.” Normally, on such an ocassion, I’d open my arms for a farewell hug, but due to the problems I’d been having with my back, all I was able to accept was a light tap on the shoulder, as if we were two heterosexual males incapable of showing any feeling.

One minute

We agreed that the two weeks we’d been together had felt much longer than they were: It’s rare to meet someone who you can get along with so well and so quickly, even more so when travelling. “I’ll see you in Ho Chi Minh” hopefully It’s an idealised part of travel that you’ll meet these faces again, but rarely does it actually occur. Plans change, unexpected events arise…people change.

One minute

“Huh? The taxi hasn’t moved.” We looked at the GPS tracker provided by Grab, the Uber of Thailand. True enough, the taxi was still on the previous road.

“Maybe he’s dropping someone off” offered Jonas.

“Maybe”

Based on my experiences travelling on buses in India, one thing I knew for sure was that the temperature inside the bus would be 15 degrees cooler than outside due to what I like to call MEGA ICEY AIR CON. For this reason, I’d changed into jeans, but right now I was not in the bus, but in the hostel reception, where the heat was starting to cook my legs. I moved to stand directly under a fan.

One minute

“He’s still there!” And I was beginnning to think that I’d be spending a TENTH night in this city. (Due to the problems with my back, I was unable to leave and unable to really do anything particularly exciting. Jonas tried to hide his glee. It really was a shame to have to say goodbye, but I’d wanted to be in Myanmar a week earlier. I took another look at my phone and finally it the taxi was starting to move. Not long after it pulled up outside.

“Okay, this time it’s a proper goodbye.” Jonas and I shook hands and wished each other well, before I entered the sweetly air-conned cab.

I really hope I’m not late.

I REALLY hope I’m not late.

*

Despite my worries I arrived 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, bought my ticket and found a sear at the platform for my bus. Patiently I sat there, reading the final chapter of the second Game of Thrones book, playing a game or two on my phone, looking around. 14:00 and no bus. Am I at the wrong platform? Did I miss it? Is it leavng at 14:00? Is it really 14:00?

It was late…Of course it was late. I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Some other tourists looked even antsier than me, constantly getting up and walking around the station.

Several buses came past. With each one I thought that I’d finally get a comfortable seat and get out of this humidity. But no. Until finally, the bus arrived. Respect is key in Thailand and three monks, garbed in their orange robes were first to create a queue. Me, the Briton, was next, followed by a cavalcade of characters. After what felt like an eternity (but was only five minutes in reality) the driver returned with luggage tags in hand and the doors opened.

The monks loaded their goods under the coach and just as I was about to give my bag over the lady in charge of loading the bags, a man jumped right in front of me. I can’t say I was surprised. He looked like that kind of guy that would respect monks, but not anybody else (you know the type). Not that it really mattered, I was next on the coach.

Settling into my seat, I prepared myself for the journey ahead. The seat next to me was empty, so I put my snacks, water and charger there, say back and started watching my videos.

Tom’s Top Travel Tip: You can download tons of videos using YouTube’s download function while at your hostel. They’ll provide an excellent source of entertainment as the 6 hour journey unfolds.

Soon after departure, the smiling stewardess dressed in green wandered down the isle of the coach, providing water and a cake which ultimately turned out to be far from tasty. The journey itself was largely uneventful. For the most part I engrossed myself in the entertainment I’d brought myself, but I did sign up for Skillshare in order to improve my photography and writing skills, so look forward to better pictures and better writing in the future.

Upon reaching the city of Tak, we were only 90km from Mae Sot. Excellent, just an hour till we get there! Or so I thought.

TWO HOURS?!

Oh God. Two hours? Really? I looked closer at the journey ahead. Winding, twirly-whirly roads. With the sun setting, I instantly knew what this meant. Uncomfortableness and possible travel sickness. Initially, I tried to carry on reading, but it was to no avail. My stomach was getting furious (To be fair, I hadn’t fed it for several hours). I consigned myself to listening to some podcasts and stared out the window to calm my tummy.

*

From the seemingly endless twisting road, the landscape changed instantly into a modern city. I checked the map and we were here: Mae Sot, just 7.4km from the border with Myanmar. When we stopped on a roadside and some people got off, I approached the driver in the language all travellers know: hand gestures.

I pointed forward and pointed left. He responded with a point forward and I discerned that this was the best place to get off. As I stepped out of the bus I took a deep breath. Half expecting heat and half expecting humidity, I was delighted to find myself breathing in a refreshing cool air.

Okay. Time to take a Grab to my hotel.

We are sorry, but Grab does not operate in this area at this time.

Eurgh, fine. I’ll use Uber.

We are sorry, but Uber does not operate in this area at this time.

…

I could walk, but with my back and with it being a dark evening, it’s probably not the best idea. Maybe someone can help me.

Look around, I saw a small clothes shop just about to close. The young lady working there spoke no English, so she called the person who I imagine was her boss for help.

She also spoke no English…

“Taxi” I showed her my phone.

“DK Hotel” She recognised the location of where I wanted to go and pointed down the road, gesturing that I walk.

“No” I said while simultaneously repeating her gesture. I pointed at my back and winced, then pointed at the bag for added effect.

“Ohhh!” She scurried for her phone and made a short call. “Okay”, she smiled, before pointing at her scooter. I gathered that someone was going to take me to the hotel by scooter. The kind woman offered me a chair, but no sooner had I sat down, a scooter with a young man turned up.

I muddled my way through several Thai thank yous (I’ve now come to learn I was using the female version, not the male version whilst there) and five minutes later I was at the hotel.

“Grrrrr” I felt my stomach.

Yes yes, I’ll feed you now.

By now it was 21:00. The streets were almost empty, save for several stray dogs, some roaming, so sleeping, some howling. Nothing is open, is it?  Having walked for a couple of minutes one way down the street with no success, I doubled back on myself till I reached the only place that seemed to be open.

The menu was all in Thai, but one of the boys working there spoke enough English to offer me “noodles?”. Like a pogo stick on a trampoline my head nodded “YES, PLEASE.”

For 40 baht (about one pound), I had one of the most satisfying meals of my time in Thailand. Noodles in soup, a few veggies and meatballs. My stomach was complaining no more. I got back to the hotel full and prepared to take on the next day: Crossing the border into Myanmar.

*

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post as much as I have writing it. Please leave a comment letting me know what you think.