(cont. from Page 15)........ It’s been another very hot day and as I try to sleep diarrhea kicks in. Something I learn later is that there is nothing basically wrong with street vending except that early evening vendors start to build up their stock of prepared food without the controls insisted on in EU countries. A quick tip is to take only food that is cooked in front of you and heated right through.

Wednesday 12 December

Pak Thai farewell (farewell to Southern Thailand)……..A quite sleepless night passes as I fight the effects of diarrhea, the hot day yesterday not helping. I manage to take something for that before returning the motorbike but food at the moment is out of the question. There is really no point in hanging around. The songtheaw transport doesn’t always travel up the beach road. It’s 9.30am and normally I see the transport come around 10am but today is different; one arrive at 9.40am. It stops right outside the train station. It will be about 3 hours before the train arrives. Initially there is some activity as locomotives shunt back and fore. It’s another hot day. With the heat building and discomfort persisting I’m in for a long wait but at least for now the diarrhea has subsided.
The DRC, right on cue, arrive 15 minutes late! From the outside the DRC looks just as grubby as the main-line locomotives but things change as soon as I step into the carriage. A rather attractive hostess welcomes passengers and offers some assistance with luggage. The carriage interior is a surprise too; apparently recently having a re-fit. Pity about the floors but overall it’s better than I expected. Soon after departure the recently arrived guests receive refreshments, a rice meal, cake, ice drinks and later coffee. I look out of the window to check whether I’m airborne. True to its title ‘Special Express’ the train bypasses all the small stations and those for which there are no passengers to board. The stations pass by one by one, most of the names familiar to me until I realize that I actually feel better, the cooler air and relaxed environment having an effect. I’m not in a position to complain but one thing is lacking. There is no atmosphere. The enclosed compartment offers little opportunity to observe the outside world and the comings and goings on a railway system that fascinates me. The two carriage rail-car has a staff of five, two drivers, a conductor, a hostess and a cleaner; fascinating in itself ........(cont. on Page 17)