Well everyone, my next day spent in Thailand was one that was just incredible. My destination was Phetchaburi, and I was to go with my new Latvian friend. We awoke at a very healthy 4 AM, and as a man who appreciates the ability to wake up long after the sun passes the zenith, it was indeed worth the early rise. Outside the hostel, we haggled for a taxi to the train station, and in that taxi, I saw my first sunrise in a foreign land. It was just beautiful. It was rising next to some massive skyscrapers, and we were approaching the Freedom Monument in Bangkok. Very picturesque. So picturesque, that I forgot to take a picture. Sucks for you guys.
When we arrived, my friend and I had a very nice chat over some train station coffee. It turns out that she actually witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union when she was younger, which was very cool to hear about from a perspective that was from the other side of the Iron Curtain. Usually, as an American, you only get to hear about the winner's perspective. But as well and good as that conversation was, the real fun began when we got on the train.
We hopped on our train to Phetchaburi. Or we thought so anyway. Earlier you see, we asked the lady who gave us out tickets which platform we left off of, and she held up six fingers. However, she actually messed up, as our train was headed out of seven. But, if it wasn't for mistakes, there would be no stories, so I don't hold it against her. In reality, mistakes are the essence of learning, growth, and even the driving force in most cosmic processes, including the evolution of life. And personally, to me it seems the Universe resents perfection. So, you really can't get too angry.
Anyway though, here we are blissfully unaware that were on the wrong train. I had almost fallen asleep when my friend walks past me (our tickets were for different cars), escorted by an officer of the law, and she hits my shoulder and tells me that were on the wrong train. Naturally, I'm thinking "shit, were not getting to Phetchaburi today." Actually, there was another train headed through Phetchaburi that was leaving in about 5-10 minutes, so they booted us off the train and told us to wait by the tracks. So we did, and long story short, the train stopped for us right past a very busy interesction to wait for us, and we held up a minimum of 20 people. Caused a traffic jam in Bangkok. Good start to any adventure.
Anyway, we then headed to Tham Khao Luang cave, which was filled with golden Buddhas. And I mean just packed with the things. It was a place in which you could feel the holiness in the air. It's truly something to behold, both the religious imagery and the the electric energy in the air. Seeing the seekers bowing before the statues trying to make their way into Nirvana in such an ancient place really drives something home to you too. Walking out, you just feel a little bit more at peace with the world.
Afterwards, we saw a sign that we thought led to another temple, and so we followed it. It did not, it just led to a trail that was just packed with monkeys. We were surrounded. Monkeys on all sides. They were hiding in the bushes, the trees, always just a few feet behind. Monkeys are massive dicks.
After leaving monkey hell, and bumbling through a monestary that we may not have actually been allowed into, we started walking back towards the train station in the oppressive Asian Sun. After walking for a distance that felt like days, we got a taxi to our next destination. Up on a nearby mountain, there was what we thought was an ancient temple, but to our surprise, it was actually an old king's summer palace, which had a temple extension. It was just beautiful. It is actually one of the only examples of a place with Thai, Western, and Chinese influences in their architecture and furniture. We wandered there for a few hours before returning.
After the palace, we made our way to the lazy train ride back to Bangkok. In the morning we parted ways, her to Latvia, me to the hostel lobby, where I did homework for a while and talked to a wandering artist who was also staying there. Everything was all set for a lazy day for me.
Well, I feel that this post has drifted on long enough. As always, stay tuned for more, and happy travels!