April 10th 2002

We are up at 7.30am. The maid arrives with her trolley again to take out bags to the taxi. We have a last coconut shake, I can't eat breakfast. The taxi is waiting, it's time to catch the ferry. The crossing is smooth and we find our other driver with no problem. Wi has booked him for us but he seems to have found 3 extra passengers, we wait and see what happens. He stops for lunch, we settle for a drink. He drops the others off first, just 10 minutes before we reach the Viengtai Hotel at 4pm. It's been a long boring journey. We tell him that we will pay half, the custom is to split the fare, he indicates that we are to pay the full amount, I don't believe the others got a free ride but what can you do?

We register and have to argue again, we booked a double bed before we went to Cambodia and are given a twin. We refuse it, so they eventually move us. We dump our bags and head out for some food and a walk to stretch our cramped legs. We stroll down the Khao San Road drinking Chang and checking the goods. Bought me yet another sarong - blue tie dye, very pretty, and a flying plastic butterfly for Matthew and Elliot. Found some lovely solid silver Gecko earrings which Andrew bought for me too. I really like this road lined with shops and market stalls, they sell everything here and it's one of the main celebration areas for New Year. We bought more UFC tomato juice and retired to bed.