We commented back to you guys to answer some of the questions we got from the last post (keep them coming, it's awesome).
But to the story... Yesterday we managed to crawl out of bed super early to try to catch the bus from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur. Little did we know that it was the Sultan's birthday, which is apparently quite a big deal, and a four-day weekend for everyone. So they were all at the bus station trying to head somewhere else, there was not a single bus seat to KL (five hours away), and we had a flight to catch that afternoon.
As is customary, we were mobbed by the taxi drivers as we left the station and when they asked if we wanted a taxi and we responded, "yes, across the country," they didn't look at us like we were crazy. They just said, "I Know a guy..." and proceeded to drive us to the taxi driver hangout and invited us to join them for breakfast. (By the way, the Malaysians make the most incredible coffee we've ever tasted). Their "guy" then drove us on windy back roads through the jungle (which has sadly now been mostly turned into palm tree plantations) at 90+mph. Needless to say, we made the trip in 3.5 hours and were plenty early for the flight.
We thought that might be the end of the adventure, but of course not. Apparently they don't book seats on AirAsia flights so there was just a mob of people, in what used to be a cargo terminal, trying to fight to be first in line so they can sit where they want in an extremely hot plane. We were definitely ill-equipped for the struggle.
Anyway, upon reaching Bangkok, we somehow managed to get a bus across town (which also takes a couple hours since the traffic rivals NYC at rush hour), catch a train from a station where we could not understand any signs or anyone, and make it to the town of Ayutthaya where we are staying. The best part of the trip was the last five minutes where we got to ride in a tuk-tuk to the hostel, which is a little three- wheeled truck that you climbed in the back of...looking a lot like a cross between a tricycle and an open-topped VW van. But we're here and so excited!!
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5 comments:
don't understand any signs, or anyone... but you are there... there is a bit of story in there that you just yadda yadda'd over. better go back and fill in the blanks. how did you make it to where you were going?
what is so good about malaysian coffee? i love coffee.
Hmmm.... fair enough. So the summary was as follows:
Taxi 20 minutes, No busses, Taxi 3.5 hours, Plane 2 hours, Bus 15 minutes, Bus 1.5 hours, train 1 hour, tuk-tuk 10 minutes.
Between each of those steps there was at least 15 minutes (usually more) where we just kindof stood there bewildered. It's hard to explain. Imagine this... You walk up to somebody who sells a thing - you know that he sells the thing, and he knows you want to buy the thing, but that's as far as you can get. You're standing face to face and you both have this moment of understanding that you're just not going to be able to communicate with anything short-of full body charades. That was the only way we could get where we wanted to go.
As far as the coffee goes, we think it's one of two things. Either the inch of condensed milk in the bottom of the cup, or the 3 tablespoons of sugar they add. We'll do some more research and get back to you. But it is awesome.
Wow! What a crazy adventure! It's a miracle you got there without being steered the wrong direction anywhere. I hope that Malaysians and Thais are helpful people to non-locals!
I have nothing too exciting to report this time around. Just a stats exam Tuesday and the big choir Halloween party Thursday. It's time to rustle up something to wear! Nothing can compare to "Peace and Quiet", though. :)
Hello Team Wander!!! I send much love your way! Your adventures sound amazing! I just caught up on the whole blog last week and I'm loving it. Keep up the good work/entertainment.
Here's a short update from this side of the world:
We had a Team Wander-style Thanksgiving at the house--woohoo! I think we had around 25 people and tons of yummy food. Michelle cooked 2 lovely turkeys and Austin and I took care of lots of sides and desserts! We all ended up stuffed after a full evening of food and drinks. We made sure that everyone knew the dinner was a tradition you started but that we were simply surrogate hosts this year.
Drink a cup of coffee for me!
Yay!! That's super fun suz! you guys rock. Two turkeys... we're so proud!
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