19 Years Southeast Asia - Welcome to the Wilderness (Part 3) 🌴

Hello steemit Community, I wish you good entertainment with the third part of "19 Years Southeast Asia", the story of my emigration.

Meanwhile, the rainy season had begun in Thailand and very few tourists were still on the elephant island "Koh Chang". Everywhere there was a totally relaxed atmosphere far away from any hectic pace. The dreamlike beaches were deserted and on the only island road, you could have laid down completely safe to take a nap.

On some days it rained continuously and sometimes there were strong thunderstorms. Power outages were common, but everyone took it easy. Most of the time, the humidity was extremely high, so that laundry only dried poorly and leather products such as belts, bags, and shoes were covered with a layer of white mold in no time.

Driving a motorcycle has become a special challenge. The heavy rainfall had turned the mostly unpaved island road into a muddy course. When driving around the potholes, which had become even bigger, you had to be very careful not to slip on the slick red earth or get stuck in the mud. So every trip to the nearest coastal village or beach became an experience that required full commitment.

Back then there were only a handful of cars all over the island. Most of them were pick-up taxis, which at certain times commuted between the ferry dock and the individual villages and settlements. They were used to transport almost everything that was needed on the island. However, the largest part of the island's population drove with 125cc motorcycles, which are so typical for Southeast Asia.

Back then there were only a handful of cars all over the island. Most of them were pick-up taxis, which at certain times commuted between the ferry dock and the individual villages and settlements. They were used to transport almost everything that was needed on the island. However, the largest part of the island's population drove with 125cc motorcycles, which are so typical for Southeast Asia.

Sometimes you could see a friendly islander, dressed in shorts and with a musket over his shoulder to go hunting in the jungle. Wild boars and large squirrels were particularly popular, but some of them have occasionally put also a monkey on the BBQ.

When walking in the dark, it could happen that a pack of wild dogs suddenly appeared and tried to attack you. In this case, I was advised to bring a wooden stick with you with which they could be easily scared away. In fact, it worked without any problems. I took all this up like a sponge and felt like I was in my own adventure movie.

It was hard for me to cut off from all of this, even if it was only for one day. But this day came because the extension of my visa was imminent. It was the first time that I should see something of the province to which Elephant Island belonged. I had already heard from others about the visa extension procedure. So one fine day in the early morning I set out for the Cambodian border.

This meant taking a pick-up taxi across the mountains to the ferryboat. Afterwards the crossing with a wooden boat to the mainland. From there I took a pick-up taxi to the provincial capital "Trat". In the center, close to the big market hall was the place where the mini-van taxis arrived and departed. (Mini-Van-Taxis are 11-seater minibusses, which are used everywhere in Southeast Asia for passenger transportation.)

When I was standing there, I wished that my new partner had been with me, but unfortunately, she stayed on the island. These were not the minivan taxis with which the tourists drove, but the ones used by the local population. No one there spoke a word of English and everything worked only on shout. Finally, I managed to find the car that drove to where I wanted to go.

The journey lasted a good hour and ended in a large car park just a few steps from the border crossing. On the Thai side, there were a few houses and stalls selling souvenirs, fruit, noodle soup, tools, army clothing and all sorts of things. The small border station was simple, but everything made a professional impression. They stamped the exit into my passport and wished me all the best.

On the Cambodian side I saw the filthy and ragged crowd of children and young men who seemed to be waiting for me. I was the only foreigner far and wide and hardly had I set foot on Cambodian soil, they rushed towards me. Everyone was talking to me at the same time:"Hello Sir, welcome to Cambodia!", "Sir, do you want Taxi?,"Do you want Hotel?", "Do you want Lady Bum Bum?", etc."

I didn't wanted any of this, but I just wanted to extend my visa for another 30 days and quickly return to Koh Chang. Nevertheless, the pack followed me to the Cambodian border post. Here I was offered a picture, like from a Mexican desperado movie. In the otherwise bare room, there was a big wooden table and some old blue plastic chairs, it was greasy and dirty everywhere. A rusty AK-47 machine gun was hanging on a nail on the wall.

Two grimly looking border guards sat bored at the table. One of them wore a stained undershirt to his uniform pants and both of them had beach slides on. The thick gold ring with the big stone on the finger of the one, probably the boss, was remarkable. I was given a blank form without a word, but I couldn't see a ballpoint pen anywhere. Anyway, I had one with me.

The pack was still standing close to me and watched me as I filled out the entry form. Some of them got so close to me that I had to push them away. The border guards didn't care about it at all. Afterwards, I gave one of them the form, a passport photo, and my passport. He asked me in pretty good English if I wanted to stay in Cambodia or leave immediately? I told him that I was going back to Thailand and quickly I had not only an entry but also an exit stamp in my passport.

Now I only had to travel back to Germany so that I could say goodbye to my parents, cancel my apartment and officially sign off. This matter weighed on me now and then. My parents, with whom I had a very good relationship, were informed by telephone that I would stay longer in Thailand, but they did not know about my final plans.

In the next part, you can see how I Iost a lot of money by a dirty trick immediately after I came back from Germany, while I was at a crazy funeral in a rice farmer village in the northeastern part of the country.

I'd be happy to have you back in on it.

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<- Back to Part 2 - Continue to Part 4 ->

How it all began