We spent most of the day travelling. Reaching Chonburi at around noon, we asked for directions to the Si Racha Tiger Farm, which has the world's largest collection of tigers, and a student was kind enough to personally direct us onto a bus.
The bus conductors attempted to collect 60baht per person from us for the short 20km trip but we knew the fare was lower. In the end, we paid around 50b each and the conductors gladly obliged - I had this feeling we had been ripped off. Reaching Si Racha, we had to fight off over enthusiastic tuk-tuk drivers, claiming we were going to have lunch first.
Indeed, we had lunch and searched for accommodation. Unfortunately, the apartments / guesthouses were either too expensive or just too run-down to take into consideration. In the end, we started walking towards the Tiger Farm, planning to visit it before heading to Bangkok on that same day. We decided not to stay in Chonburi too. Our instincts told us it was similar to Si Racha. Hotels were probably few and expensive; there seemed nothing much to do either.
We trekked a few kilometres before reaching a sign which pointed us in the direction of the Tiger Farm. We were disappointed. It was 16km away. It was either a tuk-tuk or a 16km route march in full battle order. We negotiated with a group of tuk-tuk drivers. it was never going to be cheap to get there but when we learnt that the entrance fee was 300baht per person, we gave up.
The mall with KFC and McDonald's was probably the best thing in Si Racha. It was also perhaps the closest thing to "civilisation" we have seen in our journey so far. We spent some time chilling out at McDonald's before catching a bus to Bangkok.
It was easy to find the bus. They were in abundance. As expected, the conductors pressured us to get onboard but we refused to do so provided they agreed to our fare of 80baht per person. After some persistent negotiation, they agreed and we got on. When one of them attempted to charge us 100baht, we refused to pay and apparently the commotion was loud enough to attract some attention! We highlighted the fact that his colleague had agreed on the 80baht price and he had no choice but to accept the agreed fare.
We thought they were quite unhappy with us. When they signalled us to get off the bus awhile later, we thought it was a scam. We had not even reached Chonburi! Cautious, Zi Kai got off the bus to check while we remained on. It was a transfer. Quickly, we ran for the bus ahead which would take us to Bangkok. Fortunately, the bus conductor on that bus was more friendly.
We sat separately as the bus was quite full. There were quite a few soldiers returning to camp. The girl sitting beside me, Ant, was kind enough to give us directions to get to Hua Lamphong from Ekkemai (where the bus was heading to). Thanks to her, we didn't have to get lost! I learnt that she is from Chanthaburi and travels to university from her hometown. That takes her a good five hours daily (journey to and fro). I am impressed. We, as Singaporeans, are really lucky to live so close to our workplaces and also enjoy a world-class transport system.
Dinner at the Ekkemai Bus Station was horrible. We had an experience on the BTS to Asok but decided not to continue by MRT to Hua Lamphong. We thought it would be cheaper if we shared a taxi, and it indeed was. It was quite late so we took the cab to Chinatown. It was great being in such an atmosphere; the streets were lit with colourful lights and seafood seemed to be the must-try dinner! We had a problem securing a hotel though. They were either too expensive or sleazy.
We decided to try our luck at Khao San. We were delighted to find a busy street filled with so many budget accommodation. The nightlife was great. There were so many food stalls selling delicious snacks while a great many other booths peddled different goods from clothes to forged licences! Pubs lined the street and different music blared from each outlet. People were drinking, dancing, flirting and just making merry. It was probably the coolest hang-out in Bangkok for both locals and foreigners. I spotted a couple of bikers - Fox shocks, SPDs and all!
We had a late night that day but I just wanted to sleep after finding accommodation and taking a walk around.
Total expenses over 18 days: S$535
Participants: LSH, Zi Kai, Jing Kai, Lim Hwee
The bus conductors attempted to collect 60baht per person from us for the short 20km trip but we knew the fare was lower. In the end, we paid around 50b each and the conductors gladly obliged - I had this feeling we had been ripped off. Reaching Si Racha, we had to fight off over enthusiastic tuk-tuk drivers, claiming we were going to have lunch first.
Indeed, we had lunch and searched for accommodation. Unfortunately, the apartments / guesthouses were either too expensive or just too run-down to take into consideration. In the end, we started walking towards the Tiger Farm, planning to visit it before heading to Bangkok on that same day. We decided not to stay in Chonburi too. Our instincts told us it was similar to Si Racha. Hotels were probably few and expensive; there seemed nothing much to do either.
We trekked a few kilometres before reaching a sign which pointed us in the direction of the Tiger Farm. We were disappointed. It was 16km away. It was either a tuk-tuk or a 16km route march in full battle order. We negotiated with a group of tuk-tuk drivers. it was never going to be cheap to get there but when we learnt that the entrance fee was 300baht per person, we gave up.
The mall with KFC and McDonald's was probably the best thing in Si Racha. It was also perhaps the closest thing to "civilisation" we have seen in our journey so far. We spent some time chilling out at McDonald's before catching a bus to Bangkok.
It was easy to find the bus. They were in abundance. As expected, the conductors pressured us to get onboard but we refused to do so provided they agreed to our fare of 80baht per person. After some persistent negotiation, they agreed and we got on. When one of them attempted to charge us 100baht, we refused to pay and apparently the commotion was loud enough to attract some attention! We highlighted the fact that his colleague had agreed on the 80baht price and he had no choice but to accept the agreed fare.
We thought they were quite unhappy with us. When they signalled us to get off the bus awhile later, we thought it was a scam. We had not even reached Chonburi! Cautious, Zi Kai got off the bus to check while we remained on. It was a transfer. Quickly, we ran for the bus ahead which would take us to Bangkok. Fortunately, the bus conductor on that bus was more friendly.
We sat separately as the bus was quite full. There were quite a few soldiers returning to camp. The girl sitting beside me, Ant, was kind enough to give us directions to get to Hua Lamphong from Ekkemai (where the bus was heading to). Thanks to her, we didn't have to get lost! I learnt that she is from Chanthaburi and travels to university from her hometown. That takes her a good five hours daily (journey to and fro). I am impressed. We, as Singaporeans, are really lucky to live so close to our workplaces and also enjoy a world-class transport system.
Dinner at the Ekkemai Bus Station was horrible. We had an experience on the BTS to Asok but decided not to continue by MRT to Hua Lamphong. We thought it would be cheaper if we shared a taxi, and it indeed was. It was quite late so we took the cab to Chinatown. It was great being in such an atmosphere; the streets were lit with colourful lights and seafood seemed to be the must-try dinner! We had a problem securing a hotel though. They were either too expensive or sleazy.
We decided to try our luck at Khao San. We were delighted to find a busy street filled with so many budget accommodation. The nightlife was great. There were so many food stalls selling delicious snacks while a great many other booths peddled different goods from clothes to forged licences! Pubs lined the street and different music blared from each outlet. People were drinking, dancing, flirting and just making merry. It was probably the coolest hang-out in Bangkok for both locals and foreigners. I spotted a couple of bikers - Fox shocks, SPDs and all!
We had a late night that day but I just wanted to sleep after finding accommodation and taking a walk around.
Total expenses over 18 days: S$535
Participants: LSH, Zi Kai, Jing Kai, Lim Hwee
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