Banphae, Thailand 6/22/2006

We're at the bus station in Bangkok and have bought our ticket to BanPhae, where we will catch a ferry to Kho Samet in the northern top of the Gulf of Thailand. The bus is cheap ($3.18) and is air conditioned and nice. We leave about 3 p.m. for a 4 hour ride to BanPhae. We're late leaving because of all our activity at the optic shop. Usually I don't leave late like this because you arrive in the dark and have to find a place to stay when they may all be filled. Not a good idea!!!! We arrive in BanPhae at 7 p.m. and it is dark. The station is a big dirt parking lot with some shops that are closed on the left and to the back of the parking lot is a motel. The driver points for us to go there as he or no one around speaks English. The ferries to the island have stopped for the night so we have no choice except to find a room here for the night. The bus station parking lot is across from where the ferries leave in the morning so it seems to me we should just stay here. We have seen other hotels from the bus window while riding thru the town but I am too lazy to go schlepping my pack thru town looking for a room. We look at the room in the motel of the bus lot, it is fine with me but Janeen does not like it. It is a plain room with a double bed up to the wall, bear light bulbs and a primitive bathroom for 300B a nite ($7.80) split between us. I can handle this!!!! YES, YES, NO, NO, Janeen won't take the room. We sit outside in the dark, hot, steamy, humid with mosquitos trying to eat you. I am trying to talk her into the fact that it is only one night and she won't bother me with her moving in the bed. She does not like to share a bed. Well, me either, but one night I can handle. We're right here and the ferry is across the street in the morning. A guy on a motorcycle comes back to where we are and he can speak English. Janeen asks him to get us a taxi and she is convinced that he will return or send one. Well, that does not happen. Finally because she is so uncomfortable, she agrees to spend the night here. There is a fan in the room and it is clean, that is all I need. We walk to dinner at Christie's on the main drag and have a nice meal, a little spicy, but I love that. We are watching the World Cup soccer games and talking with Philip from Manchester, England. The Thai waittress and the Dutch guy are giving us advice on the island. Back at the room I get out my sheet and crawl inside, laying on top of the bed covers. Later in the night, I wake and crawl under the covers. Actually sleep pretty good..........up late to catch the ferry to......Kho Samet.......