 71 THAILAND (4)Bangkok - Cambodia338 Kilometres - 7 Days26 April - 3 May 2015
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26-27 April - Mae Sot – Bangkok - By bus - 31 km
My
main priority was reaching the South African Embassy in Bangkok to apply for a
new passport. During that time, Thailand only granted a two-week stay at land
borders and, as I had to apply for a new passport and cycle to the nearest
border, I knew I couldn't waste any time. I hastily packed up and cycled to the
bus station but, to my dismay, I discovered that the next bus was only
available at 18:50. After purchasing the ticket, I returned to the hotel, left
my bike in their care, and went on a walkabout. However, it soon became too hot
and I decided to return to the hotel.
The
bus ride to Bangkok was comfortable and relatively pleasant. I must have
drifted off to sleep as I suddenly woke up at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. The
bus arrived at the Bangkok bus terminal, and I quickly got off to retrieve my
bicycle and panniers. The bus station was situated about 10 - 15 kilometres out
of town and surrounded by road works as a new metro line was being constructed.
The previous night's rain had made the roads wet and muddy as I ventured into
the darkness, hoping the muddy puddles did not conceal any open utility holes.
One could easily disappear down one of them and never be seen again.
I
had assumed that cycling into Bangkok would be easy at such an early hour, but
the lack of streetlights made the ride somewhat nerve-wracking. However, the
streets were unusually quiet, with only the homeless, drunk and the genuinely
bizarre out at that time. I couldn't help but chuckle, realising that I was out
there too and could easily have fallen into one or more of those categories.
28-30
April - Bangkok
The
next day was a busy one at the Embassy as I organised my new passport. It
almost felt like returning to work, filling in forms and paying money. I
haven't done such a thing in a long time and couldn't say I liked it.
Suddenly,
I noticed men in suits walking, briefcases in hand, talking on mobile phones. I
overheard people making deals and their body language and tone of voice made my
stomach turn. I felt blessed that I wasn't sitting at that table. I walked
right past, licking my ice cream, smiling, and thinking, "Been there, done
that". I felt grateful for being homeless and having only my iron horse
and a tent. However, I might change my mind about that statement while
pedalling up the next mountain pass.
1
May - Bangkok – Chachoengsao - 85 kilometres
The
new passport was estimated to take five months! Since my passport had only two
empty pages left and I had five months to spare, I decided to explore the rest
of Southeast Asia once again. It took me almost an entire day to escape
Bangkok's vast and busy city limits.
2
May - Chachoengsao - Sa Kaeo - 125 kilometres
It
was another hot day but, thankfully, clouds gathered, and it started raining
around midday. I was glad for the respite and sought shelter at a roadside
restaurant. The lady didn't speak English, and I didn't speak Thai, but I could
order a good cup of coffee from the menu on the wall.
I
took my time drinking it while waiting for the storm to pass before continuing
to Sa Kaeo, about 30 kilometres away. A building resembling a hotel made me
stop to inquire about a room. Although there were no English signs, the
receptionist used a calculator to indicate the room rate.
3
May - Sa Kaeo, Thailand – Saophoan (Sisophon), Cambodia - 107 kilometres
Upon
arriving at the Po Pet border, one left Thailand's relatively organised
environment and entered a somewhat more chaotic Cambodia. The border crossing
was particularly hectic, as it was part of the Border Market, requiring one to
navigate through the maze of stalls before finally reaching the immigration
office.
