Planes, Trains & Tuk-Tuks (#8 in series)

Slumber on the Orient Express.

(The above caption is with apologies to Agatha Christie, author of the classic Murder On The Orient Express.  Sometimes I can't help myself when it comes to echoing famous titles.)

The picture itself was taken on the train to Bangkok and it certainly wasn't an express, stopping eight or nine times in four hours.  Nevertheless it was as pleasant a trip as I've ever had and got me to thinking about the different modes of transportation, how they can make for interesting travel experiences unto themselves.

For example, on this particular day, after that train ride came a hike through the Pin Klao district of Bangkok, abustle with people and vehicles, to a passenger pier on the Chao Phraya river.  There I hopped one of the nautical "buses" knifing up- and downstream.

A river bus coming in.  Note debris in foreground.

These're are among my all-time favorites -- they're practical in that they take you north-south in Bangkok and miss the awful traffic and smog; they're scenic in that they take you past various wats or temples and other sights; and they're a good old-fashioned boat ride to boot.  You can sit back and relax as you cruise the river.

As an old Coastie (Coast Guardsman) I am in admiration of the coxswains or drivers; the way that they ease these craft up to the piers, engines revving, crewman signaling with shrill whistles, despite strong currents and debris.

All this for 15 Baht or about 40 cents U.S.  What a deal.

Inside a tuk-tuk.

Next came a ride on one of the three-wheeled taxis or tuk-tuks, as they're called.  These are not as economical as the river buses, and you have to watch the drivers as they're apt to overcharge (as I know first-hand).

However, they are convenient.  Spur-of-the-moment specials, I call them.  Just hop in and VROOOOOM! off you go, your head jerking back from the acceleration.  They don't just take you places; they're a tradition, a fun ride, for a lot of us.

At any rate, those were my connections on that day, a typical travel day in that part of the world.  In a sense, it was a tour or adventure even through one of the center-piece cities of the New Asia.

A boat roaring a canal downtown.

 

Doorman at the Oriental Hotel.

  

One of the red light districts.

This was followed by a few days of seeing the sights; both reacquainting myself with some old favorites and seeking out some new ones.  

In general, Bangkok these days is a city on the move, bursting out with energy and excitement.  It has some squalor, to be sure, but young people and vitality are everywhere.  It's become one of the crossroads of the world.  Sometimes I enjoy just walking about, taking it in.

Finally I bought a few boxes of Thai tea, got one last haircut, took in one last foot massage and pedicure (yes, I said pedicure) before -- dare I say it? -- the express van to Suvarnabhimi International Airport and the inevitable. 

My barber...who gave me a nice cut for $2 U.S.

I almost choke up as I write this, but all things must come to an end.  My grand journey this time finished up with Air China flight #980.  (Again, an interesting transport unto itself, with the stewardesses in red berets and scarfs, and roast duck served at 35,000 feet.) 

Thus my fourth trip to S.E. Asia concluded.  This was perhaps the most rigorous and taxing, but one of the most interesting as well.  It's taken me weeks and weeks to process it all, if I even have yet, a month-plus after returning.  This is one reason that I do this blog afterward, rather than while I'm traveling, as it allows me some perspective.

Suffice to say for now, it's been one helluva ride.   

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