Same flood scenary throughout the train journey On the 25th of November, Madi and I had a BCU (British Canoe Union) 3 Star Sea Kayak training and assessment week in Koh Chang, Thailand. What interest me most was not so much about the course (which was fantastic by the way!), but the journey and the obstacles we had to overcome to get to Koh Chang. It felt as if some sort of force was trying to stop us from getting to Koh Chang!
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We thought of saving some cash and wanted to enjoy the Thai country side, and so we decided to take a train, and thats when it all started.
Click on map for a bigger view
Fact 1: I took a train from KL Sentral to Butterworth. Rain had been pouring on and off since I passed Tanjung Malim at 1am.
Fact 2: After arriving at Butterworth at 5.30am, Madi found out that our Butterworth - Bangkok train ticket was cancelled. Reason then was not known yet, but was later told that because it had a 5 hour delay somewhere in Thailand, it had to be cancelled.
We rushed to Hat Yai by bus to catch whatever we could to Bangkok. In Hat Yai, we caught another train.
Fact 3: Six hours after Hat Yai, our train was halted by the flood till sunrise, and returned South to Phatthalung. We ended up taking another bus to bypass the flooded area. Two hours later, we were on another train.
Fact 2: After arriving at Butterworth at 5.30am, Madi found out that our Butterworth - Bangkok train ticket was cancelled. Reason then was not known yet, but was later told that because it had a 5 hour delay somewhere in Thailand, it had to be cancelled.
We rushed to Hat Yai by bus to catch whatever we could to Bangkok. In Hat Yai, we caught another train.
Fact 3: Six hours after Hat Yai, our train was halted by the flood till sunrise, and returned South to Phatthalung. We ended up taking another bus to bypass the flooded area. Two hours later, we were on another train.
Click on map for a bigger view
Fact 4: Sign on board the train says “Kitchen is open 4pm -11pm”. It was 6pm we decided not to order our food yet, but to have coffee at the cafeteria. At 7pm, when we decided to order, they said the kitchen was closed. We did not have dinner that night.
Fact 5: We managed to escape the Bangkok protest/rally, that was commencing the same morning we were leaving Bangkok to Trat by bus. Military men was on alert. Crowds were just about to fill up the roads.
Fact 5: We managed to escape the Bangkok protest/rally, that was commencing the same morning we were leaving Bangkok to Trat by bus. Military men was on alert. Crowds were just about to fill up the roads.
 Photo by Ian of Koh Chang |  Photo by Ian of Koh Chang |
After 3 days and 3 nights, taking 3 trains, 3 busses, 1 motorbike taxi, 2 tuk tuks', 1 ferry and a 4WD taxi, we arrived safely at Klong Prao beach where we had our BCU course. During the course Madi and I enjoyed the company of Idun, Ian and our Instructor Andy, owner of Kayak Chang. After 5 days of training and assessment, we're proud to say we're BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak award holders, and all that trouble getting to Koh chang was worth it!
Photo by Andy of Kayak Chang
Chadel making a point that 'skin whitening cream' is not the answer, thick long sleeve is! - To learn more about Kayak Chang, please visit www.kayakchang.com
- To have an overview of the BCU 3 Star Sea award, do check out this PDF link.
- To learn more about Koh Chang, please visit the Independent Travellers Guide, by Ian: http://www.iamkohchang.com
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