Had breakfast with Nate and since there was no group in the hotel we were served an American breakfast. Got our backpacks and took a taxi to the train station. Stood at first in the wrong queue, but managed to get tickets in the end. The train station had about 5 sets of rails but only one platform. We almost missed our train since it pulled up behind another train standing there. As we got in late, all seats had been taken and we had to stand the whole way (1 hour) to Bangkok Airport station. The lady at the Thai Airways counter told me our reservations were cancelled as we were 15 minutes late picking them up…. Luckily there were still seats available so we could still get on the flight.

When we got into Krabi we got a “taxi” (take a mini-van, stow 10 people in and throw all luggage on the roof) to the bus station where we got into the bus to Phang Nga (1½ hrs.). The Lonely Planet said there was a travel agency called Sayan Tours there which did 1, 2 or 3 days trips out on the water. We had a look at their trips and decided to do the 2 day tour in which you spend the night in a fishing village on the water. They also provided B&B accommodation and brought us to the Phang Nga Inn, a privately owned house which has some rooms. Phang Nga is definitely outside the beaten track: everything closes at sunset and we were lucky to find a small restaurant where I went for the special of the day which turned out to be spicy boiled mussels; they were HOT!

After dinner we talked with some Austrians who were also backpacking. They had some major bad experiences with Bangkok tuk tuk drivers. You could also say they were a bit stupid to fall for the Bangkok Tourist Trap: The Museum (or Wat) is closed today, special Buddha day, but I can take you for a special tour…….

They stayed in the same B&B and when we got back there we ran into a small party there. We had some drinks and a good time.