December 6th / 7th

December 6th
Left Budyong Resort at 9am, to catch the ferry at 9.30. Sunday is market day in Santa Fe, where they always have a roast pig on sale. You have to be quick though, because this pig is chopped up and sold within minutes. Waved goodbye to our BBQ people, and our new friends at the hardware store, where we bought our beers every night. We were first charged 27peso ( tourist price), but the more we talked to them, the cheaper the beers got ( locals pay 20peso) Husband is going to run for Mayor of Sante Fe next year, so we asked him to put in a ATM in Santa Fe. He actually agreed that it would be a good idea, as everyone now has to go into Bantayan Town. We'll check up on him next year.
Got to the ferry in 10 mins by tricycle. Then had to hike it along the pier with the bags.
This is one of the shuttles coming in. They have to ship in the oil tankers.
And ship them back empty. Some how felt safer with this one being empty. Big Flammable-No smoking sign on the tanker, right next to the guy in yellow smoking!!! Arrived at Hagnaya port an hour later, where the Ceres Bus was waiting to take passengers to Cebu City. Three buses left at the same time, and seemed to be playing a speeding game, honking and jeering everytime we passed another bus. Unbelievable speeds, derek and I had trouble staying on the plastic seats we were sliding all over the place. Talked about next time taking a taxi from the port, but at 1,000peso versus 50peso, think we'll take our chances and hold on tight. Got to Cebu City, caught taxi to airport, just 15 min ride. Of course we're early, it's only 2pm and our flight is 5pm. Checked in ( Cebu city to Manila) and was told that our flight was cancelled and we're now on the monday flight. Cebu Pacific have done this before, it's a cheap airline, but they juggle the passengers around, without any previous notice. Derek explained that we have a connecting flight from Manila to Bangkok tonight, so they said if we could get to the gate quickly they have a couple of seats on a flight going out in a few minutes. Mad dash-but we're still hyped up from the bus ride and made it to the gate . Cebu to Manila is a 1hr flight. Our flight out tonight is at 10pm, so we caught a taxi to SM Asia mall. It's a huge mall, only 15 mins from the airport.

Philipino's celebrate christmas in a big way. Mall had a santa grotto, choir singers, and lots of decorations. Must have had some good sales as the mall was packed.
Outside the mall we caught a taxi back to the airport, couldn't remember what terminal to go to, so the taxi driver pulled up to airport security and checked with them, where he was arrested for faulty driving papers! We were told to get out of the taxi, and walk to the terminal. Apparently money was exchanged ( corruption is very big in the poorer asian countries) and our driver managed to take us to the terminal. Flight was early, we left at 9.45 and arrived 11.45. Clocks go back an hour, so flight took 3 hrs. Caught taxi ( getting a bit paranoid about drivers now) to HI Hostel, in downtown Bangkok. Took about 1/2 hr with no traffic, got in about 1.30am
After 5 hrs sleep ( We have a busy day shopping planned, as we leave for Pattaya tomorrow morning) walking to the train station, I see this couple who looked exactly like christopher and his girlfriend Elizabeth. Now I'm totally confused. I look at Derek who is staring at them, thinking the same thing. They're lucky I didn't run up and hug them both! Such a weird feeling looking at two strangers, but feeling like you know them.
Had to take a picture of their backs as well. They must have thought we were nutters! Felt a sudden pang of motherly love and wanted to run after them.
Had to go to Khao San Road ( Backpackers haven) as they have an Air Asia office, we have to sort out another flight that Air Asia cancelled. Small price I guess for traveling with such cheap fares. Caught the river boat up the Chao Phraya River. One of the best things to do in Bangkok. It's only 15cents each, and the sights are great, also there's a nice breeze on the river.
We have 13 stops to go, so nice to view the contrast between the shacks and the fancy hotels.
Shacks by the river, next to a very expensive hotel.
Fancy hotel.
The kind of place that we stay in!! but it's cheap!!
Quite a lot of boats on the river, that criss cross from one station to another.
I was standing in a place on the boat reserved for monks, when the conductor very rudely pushed my shoulder and pointed to the sign above the opening. The monk thought this was very funny when I stumbled and beckoned me to stand next to him ( not sure if he wanted to see me get pushed again!) He asked where I was from, and when I said America , he said he would love to travel there one day. His english was excellant. We talked for a while, then he said he loved Oprah, he sits for one hour for Oprah. I'm thinking is this some god ( had a embarressing moment in the past , when someone was talking about Homer, and I'm thinking Simpsons, so didn't want that to happen again) Then he said you must know Oprah, Oprah Winfrey on the television. Oh, that Oprah! Apparently, he watches every show, and loves U-tube as well. And I thought these monks were into praying all day! Nice to chat to one of Thailands revered monks.
Khao San Road, has cheap backpackers accommodation and cheap food. The street is lined with stalls. We had Pad Thai Noodles and egg roll for $1 , we shared as the portions were huge.
Can't miss this road. Follow the western Backpackers.
We're eating again, couldn't resist the Tofu and vegetable curry for less than a buck!
Michelle, you'd love this place. Mango shakes are popular as well.
On the way home there are lots of Temples along the river.
Tug boat delivering coke . There are hardly any Pepsi signs.

Church next to Temples, love the contrast.Went to MBK shopping mall on the way home, picked up some good fake jeans for michelle. Got some Chelsea soccor shirts for Derek, then stopped at Tescos for more food. Food court has a great selection of food. Great day out, but dragging a bit now, due to lack of sleep. Decided on an early night, ready for our trek to Pattaya. The balloon festival doesn't start to Thursday, but the hotel is available from Tuesday onwards. Free accommodation-let's go!!