Bangkok by Boat And Adventures in Catching a Bus

Before we left for the islands we tried to squeeze in one more sightseeing trip, a 2-3 hour riverboat ride. Can’t say we knew anymore than you know now going into it, especially when the boat we had tickets for failed to show up and we were waved onto a random vessel.
We cruised past tall skyscrapers and towering temples dramatically backlit by a great sunset.

Not exactly sure how clean the river water was so we closed our eyes and mouths as it sprayed up in sheets. The boat was going quickly but we nervously checked our watches, and as the orange sun sank below the horizon, worry was intermingled with shadows. We had to be in a bus station (location of which is unknown) on the other side of town and our bus leaves in an hour. Yikes, that’s a little closer than we usually like to cut it.
When the bow of our boat bumped against the bobbing wooden dock, we were fast, packing out the crowded terminal and despite the heat, power walked quickly back to our hostel.

“Where have you been!?” Michele was obviously flustered. “The bus left five minutes ago!”
Justin and I had just gotten back from an unsuccessful hunt for Thai iced tea, curbing our search short  because we had hoped to avoid this situation. “A big group of people going to the islands just left!” She paused to catch her breath, it was pretty hot and sticky!  “The lady at the desk looked all nervous and surprised and said ‘You should go, go with them.’”  Mom impersonated as she gestured into the bus offices. We nervously waited around until an escort came out and lead us through the chaos of Khao San Road. Lots of overpriced street vendors, bright signs and crowds. This is why we stayed in another neighborhood. Motorbikes buzzed by as our escort guided us through a rubish strewn street and then helped us onto the double decker night bus. We were all a bit discombobulated and tried in vain to settle our minds to sleep.