My Life: Visa Run Travels - South of Thailand

They day finally arrived that we had to get on our way to do our three month visa run. We decided to travel to the Islands of Thailand to see more of the South and to only do a quick border run into Malaysia. We would go to Cambodia or Vietnam a next time.

We got on a bus that took us into the heart of Bangkok where we had to get on the Thai version of the London tube various times until we reached Hau Lumpong train station. Which is the main station from which to catch a land based train (normal not underground) to various borders.

(Bangkok City Centre)

(Victory Monument)

(The upper Tube)

Once at the station we were informed that we couldn't travel to the border of our preference due to the bombing in the south and they closed of that line, so we adjusted our plans very quickly and traveled for about 18 hours to Hat Yai. We then jumped into a taxi and rushed to the border which was another hours travel and then back to Hat Yai where we immediately again got on a bus to Surrathani - another seven hours drive, then after Eugene had a huge fight with a Songthan driver about his taxi fees we got on a ferry to Koh Samui - another two hours travel, we finally reached our first destination very tired, sick of travelling and not quite sure where to go from here.

(Hau Lumpong Station)

(The Train) (The view)

We found it quite amazing that so many people build their houses right next to the train tracks as seen above, very often miles away from the towns. I don't know how they get home as there are no roads...

(Very Colourful bus)

(Hat Yai Tuc Tuc)

We ended up sleeping in a bungalow on Lamai beach. The next morning nice and fresh after a very long shower we explored the island for better accommodation and found a very quiet little hotel called the Holiday Star Hotel where we found accommodation for half the price we paid the night before with much more luxury and a lot cleaner, so we stayed for another two days.

(Lamai Beach Bungalow)

(Holiday Star Hotel)

We spend our time exploring the whole of the island on the back of a small 100cc scooter, going into every single dive shop and walking through the island villages and small little shops. We found a place that has a South African Owner and they promised us that this is the only place in Thailand that we will find a proper South African "Braai" so we immediately decided that this is where we will be having dinner for the evening...

(The Scooter) (Artists House Samui)

(Coastline Samui)

(The Steakhouse) (Braaivleis)

Believe it or not for 1000 baht which is roughly 200 rand, we bought all of this meat, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, two cocktails and three cold drinks. Do we wanne come back to S.A

NO WAY!!! - But is still wasn't our proper Braaivleis.

The next day was pack up and go again, we left early - each armed with a 7/11 hotdog for breakfast and we were on our way to Koh Tao, a very remote island about two hours ferry ride from Koh Samui...