Finally, after 20 months in Koh Samui, I had a taste of what a one day visa run is like. I have heard about it many times from customers and even John but this is my first experience on 13th November 2006. Well, all I can say is that it is something I would never ever want to try again!!!!
I was picked up at 4.40am for the 6am ferry. John has booked me for the visa run with a company that has a nice big bus. Maybe I was never scheduled to ever do a one day visa run...whatever the reason, the company's big bus broke down weeks before and the replacement was a mini bus. A slightly bigger than normal mini bus (14 seater) but still a mini bus. There were 9 passengers althogether but of course, I was the smallest sized one. By the time I got off the ferry and went to the mini bus, the only 'best' seat was a single seater just before the door. Gosh, even for my size, the seat was small!!!!! and uncomfortable.
As per all that I have heard, well, the driver drove as if he was in the Grand Prix and by the time we reached the Perlis border, I think I almost died. I truly do not know how I survived the journey back. It was a harrowing experience and I think many times, I almost went to either hell or heaven. I chose the best method to ignore the crazy driving - sleep (or trying to sleep) throughout the whole journey.
Well, all I can say is that I was very happy to be back home by 6.30pm that day itself and I think it will be another long while before I venture for this one day visa run again. I salute those who does this on a monthly basis and for periods like 6 years!!!! I really do not know how John can take it but then again, he had the luxury of the big bus. Maybe the next time (if I ever gathered up enough courage to do it again...ha ha ha), I might be more lucky and will be able to experience the luxury of a big bus.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Loy Kratong in Thailand
Today is the full moon night of the 12th lunar month in Thailand. This is the day where Loy Kratong is celebrated. Loy Kratong is the one of the biggest festival celebrated in Thailand (second to Song Kran). It is a festival where people give thanks to the Goddess of the river.
Traffic is very heavy tonight especially at the areas like Chaweng Lake, Big Buddha and Nathon. Lot of people go to these places to let off the little lotus boats into the waters. Some believes that if the flame in the boat does not go off when it travels out to the waters, then your wish would come true. You can read more about it from http://www.thaiembassy.jp/culture-eng/loykratong/index.htm.
Since today is the full moon day, it is also full cleaning day for us at the bar. We have a monthly ritual where we take everything out of the bar and do a thorough spring cleaning. This unfortunately also means that we are closed in the afternoon for about 2 to 3 hours. It is hard work trying to remove chewing gum that customers leave under tables, chairs and counter top. At times like this, I fully understand why the Singapore government bans chewing gum in the country.
Traffic is very heavy tonight especially at the areas like Chaweng Lake, Big Buddha and Nathon. Lot of people go to these places to let off the little lotus boats into the waters. Some believes that if the flame in the boat does not go off when it travels out to the waters, then your wish would come true. You can read more about it from http://www.thaiembassy.jp/culture-eng/loykratong/index.htm.
Since today is the full moon day, it is also full cleaning day for us at the bar. We have a monthly ritual where we take everything out of the bar and do a thorough spring cleaning. This unfortunately also means that we are closed in the afternoon for about 2 to 3 hours. It is hard work trying to remove chewing gum that customers leave under tables, chairs and counter top. At times like this, I fully understand why the Singapore government bans chewing gum in the country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)