Riding the rails

Ron and I are in a second class sleeper heading south from Bangkok to Suret Thani where we will take a 6:30 am bus to the ferry that will take us across the china sea to Koh Phongkon. We have had a most fantastic 4 days in Bangkok after our return from bucolic Burma. After awakening with the sun and retiring at 9 pm, we hit the streets of Khoa San Road like old pro's. Flew in at 8:30pm and had dinner with our dear friend Jim Aplington at 9:30 along with his Tibetian friends who just happened to be in BKK. We talked and drank beer and ate street food until 11:00 pm. The next morning after a leisurely breakfast along the river at our guest house the three of us took the river taxi to Wat Pho, where we went to the most influential massage school in Thailand and had wonderful massages with herbs. The herbs were small fist size bundles of heated herbs that they massage into you body after having manipulated you into a noodle. I loved the herbs. The smell was intoxicating and filled your lungs with freshness. A sudden rainstorm left us waiting beneath the roof of a temple with at least a hundred Buddha statues adorned with gold. A dozen tourist huddled together, peacefully waiting. A bright energetic Thai woman came along laughing and offering cheap plastic parka's for 3 times their value. We all declined, the rain continued, and she laughed as she went in search of the next sale. where we stay in Banglampoo is famous for the hippie element. The streets are filled with every kind of imaginable tout selling t-shirts, jewelry, clothing, books, and endless carts of food from fresh fruit, pad Thai, beer and mixed drinks, freshsqueezed tangerine juice, coconuts, and indescribable vast amounts of stuff that grabs your attention and strikes your fancy. We realize that this is our "burning man". It is so beyond your imagination unless you have been here to expience. A Fallini movie and height ashberry movie all rolled into one. So much fun. We met up with jim and his friends who live in BKK and had drinks sitting by the side of the road, the show always alluring. Then dinner at a favorite place down an alley with surprisingly killer food and ambiance. Then a late nite stroll to the blues club where a hot group of guys were laying down some strong music and the vodka was flowing. Making a plan for the next weeks took some short consideration. The planes were full, we did not want to go to another city for more shopping and smog. So we scored the last two seats on this train, in second class. Thirty-two bunks per car and two toilets. Ron and I packed a picnic of fresh tangerine juice, absolute vodka, sandwiches, chips and water. Wipes for the table and hands. It is rolling along as I type rocking back and forth, I In my small bunk. Not bad really. Priacy curtain, soft foam pad, fresh sheet and a big white towel for cover. Ron is above me. We ordered a bucket of ice and glasses, and savored several delicious drinks mellowing out the rough edges and lightening the mood. We arrive at 6:30am and then take a bus to the ferry where we then set out across the sea for a few hours hopefully on smooth water for first Koh Samui and then Koh Phangon. I went online and booked us a room at a very chichi resort on a rocky hill between two cresant white sand beaches. Looking forward to relaxing in the comfort of pristine warm water, eating fresh caught grilled fish, and sinking into the gentle pace of the sea and sun. As we rock and roll along, from the rails of 2nd class... I bid you sweet dreams as I slide into my vodka induced soma. Sawaadee ka