Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Finally had time to really relax and try to take in all we have experienced in last few weeks.
We have been blessed with great weather through our trip and considering Taiwan was originally on our list of destinations we are very grateful. Our thoughts are with those in Taiwan and SE China who have lost family, friends and homes.

We have run the whole gamut of planes, trains and automobiles during our travels. Those who know me, know I like my luxuries but also know I will not pay any price for it. Affordable luxury is what I like to call it, and with some great internet offers I found and US Airways extremely generous dividend miles program we have been very lucky. Although we have travelled in pairs to get to Hong Kong, it was really worth it for the first class flights we were able to obtain. It made such a difference to our disposition on that first (and what will be last) 24 hours of intercontinental travel.

Then we have made use of SE Asian budget airlines, such as Bangkok Air, and have only been presently surprised. We had one flight of only an hour and 15 minutes, yet they manged to serve a meal, and seating was generous. Made US Airways economy look pretty poor, which of course it is.

The train was documented separately, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Just to see the variety of people, and look out the window to see rice fields floating by was a joy, and my bed, once converted was equivalent to a full lie flat sleeper bed on any top first class airline.

But the most interesting times have been in the multitude of taxi rides or tuktuks we have taken, and I think you can get a good quick impression of a country from your local cabbie. In Seoul they were all business, not a word spoken, and no sign of road rage, on streets that would have driven me insane. Hong Kong was friendlier, and on our last trip our man persuaded us to ride with him all the way to the airport rather than catch the express train. I was dubious of his claims that we,d get their faster and cheaper, but he was extra smiley and keen to practise his limited English so we went with it. We were there in 25 minutes and at half the cost of what we,d paid to get into town in the first place.
In Bangkok, you immediately sense a desperation amid taxis and tuktuks (3 wheeled scooter taxis that seat 3) for your business. As a group we didn't fit in one tuktuk so avoided them, but we were constantly plagued by offers of rides, tours, and "come and see my friend, he has beautiful jewels." We even saw tourists getting out of a tuktuk, only to be immediately besieged by other tuktuk drivers wanting to take them somewhere else.
We did have the most disturbing ride in Bangkok as our driver looked like he was trying to excavate his entire nasal passages for the whole 30 minute ride. I still have neck ache as I had to look out the window on my left for the entire trip. Bangkok also gave us our funniest ride, as we ended up with an Elvis fan to take us to the airport on our way to Laos. An Elvis fan who was also a part-time magician, and proceeded to perform tricks and hum along to Elvis for most of the journey. At one point however, we came across a recent accident which didn't look too serious. Elvis immediately pulled over onto the hard shoulder, turned the engine off for 30 seconds, said a small prayer, and then continued - strangely moving.
Laos gave us our most basic and fun transport. No cars as we'd call them. At the airport there were extra large tuktuks, sort of scooter trucks with just a tarpaulin for a roof. Luggage and people all pile on together. The spray from the rain shower as we came into town was very refreshing.
Chiang Mai was very well organised and our initial guest house provided us with a Thai mobile phone with a speed dial for the taxi service with which they had agreed rates. Apparently meter taxis in Chiang Mai don't know how to use the meter and tourists are commonly ripped off.
However how could we fail to be happy with our driver, Mr. Puu. You can only smile when being driven by a man called Puu. His was the only taxi I have ever seen with a guestbook to sign, and some had written full pages in there. Good English and a sense of humour made Mr. Puu our friend.

We're not taking a taxi anywhere in Koh Samui and continue to chill, before Kuala Lumpur on Friday.