The value of Explore and its leaders yet again proving to be above and beyond call of duty. The guide got us all into 3 taxis and then photo’d each number plate before we move off, gave us the taxi money and his contact number if we got into difficulties and reminded us to take all our things with us, especially small stuff. Reckon he has had trouble with jet lagged OAPs before, as one of us got on the train before realising she had left the camera (and no, it wasn’t me – I only leave husbands behind at pubs – another story1) in taxi. Guide rings taxi firm, who pages taxi because we have number plate, who returns to station and reunites camera with very grateful Canadian – guide holding up train with 9 carriages of locals and travellers.
He then tells us he has been up until midnight at doctors and hospital dealing with insurance companies and couple who should now be with group, but she has got infected mossie bite on foot (they have been here a few days in advance doing more of Thailand). And we think tour guides have an easy job walzing around having a good time!
The train was hard on the bum, but a fascinating 7 hr journey across Thailand, stopping at all sorts of local stations with locals going about their business to school, work and markets – these are just a few sights but through the dirty train window so apologies!
A lot of the way was like going through a great bird reserve, the rice paddy fields and lakes and canals being brilliant for big and easy birds to spot like egrets, herons, kingfishers and storks – all bigger and better versions than the UK and similar to our trip to the Everglades last year.
We arrived at the border around lunchtime and after sorting out visas for Cambodia we eventually crossed to next country- tried again to leave husband behind as his passport wouldn't scan, but then piled into bus for 3 hr journey to Siem Reap, Seems to be poorer country than Thailand but guess that is the price of civil war.
Noodles and rice for breakfast lunch and dinner, but all very yummy and restaurants are mostly local and good fun. Our group is 11 at the moment but will go up and down as people leave and join at different points of the trip.
Ankor Wat tomorrow to fulfil one of the must-dos from our travel list - temple mania about to break out!
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