trains and chiang mai

Posted on | February 8, 2008 | No Comments

train to chiangmai

it is chinese new year tonight; the year of the rat begins at midnight.
we are on the overnight train to chiangmai and right now are stopped at the old capital of ayutthaya….about 100 minutes from bangkok.

leaving bangkok on the train is always somewhat of any eye-opener. you pass by some indescribable poverty and grimness.
hundreds of people live and work, pressed up against the train tracks, in forgotten little shanties constructed from plastic bags, rusted tin sheets, blackened and ancient bits of recycled timber.
litter and grime and neglect pervade the landscape.
everything looks broken down and worn out….except for the people.

night falls as we slowly roll through out of the city and everywhere, little lights come on.
people are selling food from tiny stalls, with a single naked bulb hanging down for illumination.
it is an ongoing lesson in starting a business with simply determination and the most modest means…..and then running it leanly.

the first class compartments are clean and spartan, but comfortable, and always booked out well in advance.
it is hardly the orient express, but it is pretty good, with plenty of room and fresh white bed linen and aircon that adjusts to meatlocker temps.

i only organised tickets for one way and do not fancy our chances of returning by rail after the new year holiday.
if we have to, we will fly.
i note in passing that emirates and singapore air are now offering a first class suite on their a380 aircraft…..they look just like hi-tech luxury train compartments and truly fabulous.
one can only speculate in hushed tones as to the price of so much jet-room.

important tip: bring own food on train. the food offered is lack lustre and expensive.

our hotel in ching mai is the modest, but modern portico 21.
very cute and right in the middle of a bunch of tiny sois, or laneways, off the main drag past the thapae gate.
plenty of places doing laundry….pastries…..fresh juces….coffee….wifi internet…..so life is simple.
we are both still rocking a little bit from the train ride……it was comfortable, but neither of us slept well.
i suspect we will crash tonight!

our dentist appointments are later tonight also…..full update coming soon!

it is a sunny clear day in chiang mai…..from the train last night i saw stars for the first time since we left home (husband wanted to know if i had banged my head on the luggage rack).
omg i just looked out and saw a squirrel with a striped tail running along some power lines!

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