Thailand

We thought to rush through Thailand as quick as possible. ‘We will return here when we get old’ we thought. We somehow suspected that Thai people will treat us as walking money bags. On contrary, from the very first minutes we were disarmed of all our initial thoughts. People tret us like we were the only guests they ever had. Hitch hiking was never as easy as back to Turkey times, where getting from point to point by hitching a thumb was much quicker than using public transport.

Laos – Thailand

Kirtus Laoso-Tailando siena. | Night after crossing Lao-Thai boarder.

We got to know that Lithuanians at certain border entries are able to receive visa on arrival. So we as calm as sheep crossed the Friendship Bridge on no man’s land, entered the office and said loudly: we came to make a visa. ‘Fine’ the rounded a bit angry looking officers said. ‘Please your passports and your return flight tickets’. Doh. ‘We are traveling to Malaysia, and going there by car (no way we could explain about subtleties of hitchhiking)’. ‘No tickets – no visa’. ‘There are rules’ some milder looking officer tried to soften the situation. They further worked on their papers, looked us. We were drawing the imanigable circles on the ground and had this nightmare idea of getting back to Laos, spending more precious time and money around embassy. ‘Maybe transit visa?’ we tried another chance. ‘So you don’t want to stay in Thailand’. ‘Well no, not really. We are straight to Malaysia, if needed we can make it in 3 days’ we sounded overly optimistic. The angry looking officer soon came to collect passport, a photo and began a speedy handicraft process. Until the last stamp we couldn’t believe we actually will be able to cross the border successfully tonight. ‘1000 bahts’ visa fee. We knew the fee, but thought to be able to pay with dollars. This is a common practice so far. Not on Thai border. Running around and trying to exchange money with truck drivers. Finally. The dough is here, and finally left the office.

Karolis

We spent the night very close to the border, near some people’s houses. And only in the morning we saw that near a swamp too. No wonder why the mosquitto hunt was a nightmare in a hot tent. When its hot and damp, it means terribly hot and no air to breath in.

In the morning a lovely lad gave a us a straight 600 km lift to Bankok. Smooth. Some people gave us a lift to circle around the capital – getting in and out would sound like a perfect nightmare. ‘Have you tried sleeping in temples?’ one local guy asked us. There is a free stayover and plenty of food’. So when the last single woman (that’s also suprised us) dropped us near the village, we saw posh temple roof and thought to try it. The heavy water drops only pushed us to do it quicly.

Sleeping in the temple

Šventykla, šalia kurios mes miegojome. | The temple where we slept.

The yard with few temples and some extra buildings was big and fairly spacious. There were no monks for another 10 minutes. Finally once arrived they immediately knew our intentions ‘to sleep?’. Yes. Soon they showed us a massive hall where definetely 50 travelers would suit on the floor. Humbly neated rugs.

The rain was heavy, and the lightnings broke the sky often into two clear parts. We sat down to watch the puddles in the rain and enjoy the storm from inside. One of the monks came to have a chat with us and brought us a massive umbrella not to get wet going to the toilet based outisde. Soon we entered the silence whilst observing the nature and culture wonders.

Mus priėmęs ir vaišinęs budistų vienuolis. | Our Buddhist friend.

In the morning I woke up at 4am. The morning chants were loud but meditative, soon you may get into transe. The cat was still sleeping at my mat’s end, and the dog was at Karolis feet. I went out to listen to this morning chants. The prayer has finished in half an hour, and everyone solemnly went to the yard to start their morning chores.

We were about to leave the temple, but the monks invited us for a cofee. We exchanged some ‘picture time’ moments. Soon the elder monk with some helper started to carry inside the room massive bowls with the offerings. People presented monks with rice and different sauces, fruits and soft drinks. They surely started to give us some food too. We not only had good breakfast, but had some things for to go on the way.
It was a good experience, to see and feel things from inside out.

Searching for a neglected beach

Vis naują atspalvį įgyjanti jūra. | Ever color changing sea.

Locals should know some good unpopulated beach around. So that was the truth. Two kind people with no intention to go towards that direction, gave us a lift, and in no time we found ourselves near the water and lean elegant coconut palms. Karolis soon found quite a few. He unshelled it firstly, and then hit the hard surface to drink the milk out of it. We did it all ourselves. We didn’t buy. We simply picked coconuts as apples. That is the culture difference.

The beach was neglected. Only few fishermen, and there were few local type resting areas in the distance. There was this deep green emerald water in front of us, some mountains in both sites, and coconut palms at our back. We found a shelter, and after few good kicks around we managed to make ourselves home. Thailand bay waters, coconut trees behind us, mountains in the distance.

Mūsų trijų žvaigždučių hotelis visu grožiu. | Our three star hotel in full view.

You can only walk in the late afternoon to avoid the main heat. Then not only you, but a bunch of crabs are up for a stroll. Or crabs more to fly around – that’s how fast they are to search for a hole in the sand to hide in.

From dry wood found everywhere we made a bon fire and grilled a fish bought at local fishermen. Only salt was needed to unlock the tastes. Wine, fish, black water, stars and lightnings across the sky in the distance.

And soon after those paradise days we in no time hitched the car to Malaysia.

Few practical things about Thailand

. Pasivaikščiojimas krabų knibždančiame paplūdymyje. | A little walk in a beach full of crabs.

Sleep and hygiene
We would certainly recommend budhist temples not only to have a sleep and food but also to get to know things from inside out. Locals are very good if not to host at least to allow you to pitch a tent in their yard, maybe even making a little fire for you or encouraging you too have a wash with the water. The ideal is to sleep in the beach, you only need to use the mosquito net to avoid annoying insects. And is certainly easier to keep the higiene here than in Laos. Petrol stations or locals are good source of water.

Food
Apart from some spicy noodles, we didn’t use too much of a local cuisine. There is also Tesco brother – Tesco Lotus to buy some cheap supplies.

Hitch-hiking
100% easy, fast. People are stopping in the most uncomfortable and unusual places. Some would stop without even raising a hand. Just to help.