(^28) Ranong (Visa run to Myanmar)
The trip involved taking a boat to Myanmar to renew our Thailand
visas. Boats frequently scooted across the gulf to the border town of
Kaw Thoung. After departing Thailand for Burma, our long-tailed boat
didn't sound healthy, but it eventually got away in a cloud of smoke.
Once there, $10 bought us a Burmese visa as well as a stamp for
entering and exiting Burma. I was livid that they granted a two-week
stay (not a day pass as assumed). If we knew, I sure would've
arranged a more extended visit.
Upon returning, we weren't as fortunate as we had been earlier. Our
boat's engine exploded with a thunderous bang, leaving us drenched
in black oil and adrift in the ocean. Mercifully, the crossing was a busy
one and soon, help arrived. A similar boat hooked us up and towed us
towards our destination, but halfway, handed us over to another boat,
which took us the final stretch. Unfortunately, the new boat didn't
sound all healthy either. It burped and splattered, but eventually got
us to the pier from where we'd departed a couple of hours earlier.
Upon closer inspection, and to our horror, we discovered the new visa
merely allowed a two-week stay and not a month as foreseen. This
meant we'd to peddle like the clappers to get out of Thailand.
leana
(Leana)
#1