Thai border: Aran

In border town now. Will cross over tomorrow.

hmm... for some strange reason, i took a bloody long time to get out of the airport, missed the 11.30am train to the city, hence missed the one from Hualumphong to Aran and had to go look for the bus station (which turned out to be fairly near the airport). Then the 2.30 bus was full and i had to take the next slower and more expensive one and finally got here only at 8pm, way after dark. (sun set early: it was totally dark by six.) Not fun, being on the road for 13h straight, and another goodness knows how long more tomorrow.

the hotel is nice. not super cheapo, but good value for 230B. was hoping there would be some hangout area at the lobby where i can try to look for people to share cab to siem reap tomorrow, but it looks like everyone just stays in their rooms. or maybe there are not many people around.... will have to try and hang around the lobby or customs/border tomorrow and try my luck. Not looking forward to paying US$45 for my ride!!

I know i promised to re-write last night's message, but i am seriously tired now.. just want to bathe and lie down on the bed.... plus the rates here aren't posted and the guy didn't say anything when i asked and everyone else here is a neighbourhood boy playing computer games. sigh.