Day 1 (6 May)
Dr Mic and I flew to Bangkok at 10.40 am. The plane departed from the new airport - LCCT. It was crowded - all took air asia flight of course.
Reached DonMuang International Airport, Bangkok around 12 pm (they are 1 hour behind M'sia). While landing, had noticed a golf course in the middle of landing strip!
The first plan was to purchase or enquire a connecting ticket from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai. Had found Laos Airline office and they quoted the fare more expensive than you buy in Laos. So we thought we would try our luck in Laos (Vientiane or Luang Prabang). The ticket cost USD108 as compare to initial fare of USD81.
Having found the air fare too costly, we went to enquire train ticket to Nong Khai. The train station is situated just opposite the airport, a rather quite convenient but it a bit run down. Had secured 2 sleeper seats to Nong Khai. The fare cost about 600 baht.
Well, after had settled the transportation mode to Thai/Laos border, we had the whole afternoon to spend. We took a bus to downtown Bangkok. Unfortunately, like any big cities, we got caught in traffic jam. The journey took us about an hour more to reach the destination, phew....
First thing first - searched for lunch. As we had arrived in Hualampung train station, we left our backpacks there. Then had a simple lunch in a nearby hawker. The weather was hot (yes, it was hotter than M'sia).
After a satisfying meal, we manoeuvered to a nearby pier to took a river cruise. Had a long walk under a hot sun. Finally reached the pier but being so unintelligent, we missed the boat. Waited another 10 minutes or so, we finally managed to get into one boat. It was a short cruise though as we were heading to the starting point of the journey (or it could be the end point).
From there, we took the skytrain to shopping malls in Silom area. It was a relief when we got to air-con mall. Did a little window shopping. By the time it was evening, we had our dinner in that area. Then took the Bangkok's latest transportation mode, MRT, back to the main train station.
The station was crowded at about 8pm. Most of the Thais sat on the middle of the main hall as there wasn't enough seats to cater for the passengers. We boarded our train at 8.40pm and off it went to Nong Khai for a 12-hour ride.
End of day 1....
Dr Mic and I flew to Bangkok at 10.40 am. The plane departed from the new airport - LCCT. It was crowded - all took air asia flight of course.
Reached DonMuang International Airport, Bangkok around 12 pm (they are 1 hour behind M'sia). While landing, had noticed a golf course in the middle of landing strip!
The first plan was to purchase or enquire a connecting ticket from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai. Had found Laos Airline office and they quoted the fare more expensive than you buy in Laos. So we thought we would try our luck in Laos (Vientiane or Luang Prabang). The ticket cost USD108 as compare to initial fare of USD81.
Having found the air fare too costly, we went to enquire train ticket to Nong Khai. The train station is situated just opposite the airport, a rather quite convenient but it a bit run down. Had secured 2 sleeper seats to Nong Khai. The fare cost about 600 baht.
Well, after had settled the transportation mode to Thai/Laos border, we had the whole afternoon to spend. We took a bus to downtown Bangkok. Unfortunately, like any big cities, we got caught in traffic jam. The journey took us about an hour more to reach the destination, phew....
First thing first - searched for lunch. As we had arrived in Hualampung train station, we left our backpacks there. Then had a simple lunch in a nearby hawker. The weather was hot (yes, it was hotter than M'sia).
After a satisfying meal, we manoeuvered to a nearby pier to took a river cruise. Had a long walk under a hot sun. Finally reached the pier but being so unintelligent, we missed the boat. Waited another 10 minutes or so, we finally managed to get into one boat. It was a short cruise though as we were heading to the starting point of the journey (or it could be the end point).
From there, we took the skytrain to shopping malls in Silom area. It was a relief when we got to air-con mall. Did a little window shopping. By the time it was evening, we had our dinner in that area. Then took the Bangkok's latest transportation mode, MRT, back to the main train station.
The station was crowded at about 8pm. Most of the Thais sat on the middle of the main hall as there wasn't enough seats to cater for the passengers. We boarded our train at 8.40pm and off it went to Nong Khai for a 12-hour ride.
End of day 1....
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