Day 44 - Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok

Again I woke up just in time for my hotel breakfast. Enquired if my hotel provided late check out service as my train leaves at 6.30pm. The counter girl replied that the latest I could check out is 3pm and there would be a charge of half the daily room rate for this. (190B) I had no choice but to pay as I do not want to be out wandering around in the hot sun.

Really wasted my day away at the hotel. Stayed on to eat at the restaurant and to use the computer even after the 3pm check out time. Damn lazy to go anywhere or do anything. 3 more hours till my train leaves. Zzzzzzz....

At 5pm, I rode over to the train station. Once there, I proceeded to the station master to allow him to process the necessary paperwork.

He needed the following from me:

1) my train ticket
2) my bike's log card
3) customs declaration form (carnet)

With these, he copied down the bike's information and issued me an invoice of 766B (as per quoted yesterday) and I was to pay to the cashier/cargo handler seated just beside him.

A very fast and efficient process indeed. Over in 10 minutes and I'm very impressed. The cargo handlers did not ask for any 'tips' and neither did I want to pay if you ask me frankly. Thus, after snapping a photo, I 'disappeared' together with my bag and helmet feeling quite satisfied that I had saved some money.

I still have 2 hours to wait. My train leaves at 7.30pm (6.30pm thai time) Really dunno what to do now. My only consolation is that the weather is cooling now. Too much time to burn so I asked if I can leave my bike and helmet at the cargo room. The answer is yes and I got the freedom to explore around. And it seems my bike is gone already. Gone with the train that just left. -.-

Boarded my train at 7.30pm after buying some titbits. To carriage 6, seat 14 and off I went to Bangkok. At 8.30pm, the staff came around to ask if there was any last order for dinner and once it's confirmed that no one wants to eat anymore, they started to convert the seats that were facing each other into double decker bunk beds.

Each 'bed' / cabin space is about 2m x 1m x 1.2m and came with fresh bed sheet / pillow case and curtain for privacy. I found it hard to sleep as the train was moving and I've been resting for the whole day already. Think I finally fell asleep at around 1am.

Expenses:

Hotel - 190B (1/2 price late check out)
F&B - 180B
Train transportation - 766B