This must be one of the smoothest travels we've had in...forever? So we started keeping a thankful list.
1 We were all up in plenty of time for a 7:45 am departure, even though we were up late the day before.
2 Taxi arrived on time and the van was not very late and dad had the phone number of the driver so anxiousness was tiny. Fail point one passed uneventfully.
3 One of Aiden's friend's actually came to see him off.
4 We didn't get lost (this happened last time we we're leaving here with a ride from church!) or stuck in traffic (quite conceivable considering where we were going and at what time of day) on the way to the train station.
5 It was easy to get tickets and we didn't have to pay any luggage fees as the website suggested.
6 Taxi was cheaper than expected so the taxi donation given actually bought our train tickets too!
7 We had time to bathroom and snack before the train.
8 Despite the lift bearing a sign that it was out of order and we'd started to lug all our luggage down the stairs to the platform...dad discovered the lift to platform was not broken after all so we got down without multiple trips up and down the stairs.
9 We got on the train with no problem: no protests at the amount of luggage, plenty of time, etc.
10 Our big bag broke open but we lost nothing out of it and Mom used the straps from our tubs to keep it together until we can replace it in Bangkok.
11 Mom was still able to break the 100 RM bill that was undepositable after not using it to pay taxi.
12 We arrived hungry at the border but food was available before immigration so we didn't have to wait longer.
14 We had an extra long wait as we were forgetting the time change but that meant dad had time to work on his presentation and we had lots of time to get through immigration and customs to be ready for the train.
15 We had a difficult talk about beds and luggage with mixed language abilities once on the train but we got it settled ok in the end.
16 There was no food car on train like before to order food but food became available before we were too hungry (sellers jumping on with their wares at some stations).
17 Our beds were made right away so we could sleep early as we were all tired.
18 the train was not too full so our luggage was not a problem and sleep was easier.
19 We got good breakfast food from sellers walking the train, though we almost made one miss getting off as we were slow with the money.
20 God sent us a Thai angel when we needed help. We discovered upon arrival that the terminal train station had been switched a few months ago without notice or fanfare. So we got off the train, not knowing where we were, not where we'd arranged pick up, and without working phones as our Thai sim wasn't working. But the guy who'd been beside us on the train offered help: translation of our questions and the answers, a phone to use to call our friend who'd arranged the van for us, found us luggage carts, and escorted us to the correct exit to meet with our van!
21 We were told we'd have to wait for the van maybe 1/2 hour but he was already there when we got to the correct exit!
22 Our friends have blessed us with a free stay in 2 adjoining rooms at their hotel so we will sleep well each in our own beds whereas usually in hotels we are sharing one room and three beds max.
23 Mom and Dad went lunch hunting after arriving at the hotel on a vague memory of Mom's and it was correct!
There's likely more that could be added to this list, but mom wants a nap while dad is out trying to get a Thai sim card working in his phone. Then likely a late supper with our friends and then quiet sleep! First stage of our journey from home to home done. Thank you God for all these and more!
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