Malaysia: Peninsula and Borneo - July 2006
Dear English-speaking readers, this page is an automatic translation of an article originally written in French. I apologise for any strange sentences and funny mistakes that may have resulted. If you read French, click on the French flag below to access the original, correct text:
Français
Here I am, landed at Chumphon (pronounced "tcheumpone") by the LomprayahThe boat-catamaran that connects with the Thai peninsula. Then, shuttle bus with luggage and passengers piled up on the back platform to the center, where I was dropped off with the others in front of an internet café a few minutes walk from the station.
They keep the big bags, it's convenient. As I have several hours to kill before the train departure, I went for a little walk.
The food-market of Chumphon, in the late afternoon.
Change of atmosphere, after the beaches of Koh Tao. Chumphon is a big provincial city, without much charm in itself. But fortunately, there is the inevitable "food market" just a few steps from the station and my internet café, and I rush to it.
As always, a whole street occupied by stalls, carts, gargottes and small restaurants with their tiny plastic chairs. The good thing about Thailand is that you can always find something to eat, and at any time. People pass by on motorcycles and stop to buy skewers, fruits, small sandwiches or grilled squids...
I saw a noodle soup restaurant, full of customers, and I thought that this was a good sign and that the soup must be good... Another good sign: the guy who was making the soup didn't understand a word of English. Besides, I am the only one "Farang" (Foreign).
Sitting on my little plastic chair, I feel myself being watched. Stealthy look and smiles in the corner from other customers, only Thais.
Especially when I take out my camera as the worthy tourist that I am. The two kids from the restaurant, curious, came to examine me more closely.
They pose for my camera. And to top it all off, the mother who serves me my bowl of soup forces them to say thank you afterwards... "Kop kun kaaah! Kop kun kaaah!" And the two little ones run away giggling after admiring themselves on the digital screen.
The noodle soup was famous and filled my stomach for the modest sum of 30 baths (not even one euro), before this long journey by train (departure 9:15 pm, arrival 10:30 am).
I'm going to stroll a little more before reaching the station... See you in Malaysia!
