Island in the sun

Just 30 minutes north of Bangkok you can find a small island called Ko Kret. Yes, that's right, north of Bangkok. In the middle of Chao Praya river there is a small Mon inhabited islet. Everything out of the ordinary is interesting to visit, so some research on the ever expanding world wide web taught me me more about this and I was ready to explore. The starting point for many a day trip is Victory Monument (Thai: Anoo Sawelee) where loads of busses and minivans take you to your destination. The explanation found on the internet was very clear, take blue bus nr. 166 all the way to the terminal station of Pakkret. 30 minutes and 19 baht later I arrived at the Chao Praya river and walked to the closest pier to take the ferry. This was where I felt I was back in Bangkok. On the pier were a couple of Thai guys whose eyes lit up with the sight of a farang. They would take me to the island for 60 baht. Now let me tell you, I could see it from the pier and if the water wasn't as dirty as it is, you would swim to it. Moreover, I read there was a ferry for 2 baht. After some discussion with the greedy boatsmen I found the way to the other pier while behind me the words cheap Charlie sounded. Just for your information, people trying to sell you something are not ashamed to call you a cheap Charlie when you don't buy anything and just walk away. Less than ten minutes later and about as many instructions from local shopkeepers later the pier is in sight. Waiting for the ferry to dock, letting some people off and hopping on and of we go to the other side. The only thing missing were two coins on my eyes, ready to cross the Styx.
Arrived on the other side, the ferryman was to be paid, 2 baht per person. For all you Europeans, that is 4 euro cents. The island has 1 main road which follows the outer line and which is wide enough for 2 bikes. The whole road is six kilometers in length and you can choose to walk it or rent a bicycle. Walking is nice, but six km under a scorching sun of 35° C is just plain suicide. 40 baht to rent a bike looks like the wiser solution. Several temples are scattered around the island and I can assure you these are some very nice examples. But the island is known for something completely different. The Mon people have mastered the skill of pottery. It is said the roundest of pots can be found here. There are several bakeries and you can even give it a go yourself. Although this is a very nice place not far from Bangkok, you don't see many tourists here. And I can tell you why, it is not featured or if it is, very briefly, in the known travel guides. As I said before, throw them away!
After the exploration of the island it was time to get back to the hustle and bustle we know as Bangkok. Back to the pier, I grab 2 baht out of my pocket to pay the ferryman, but in true Thai tradition, the price had gone up to 3 baht. You have to get off the island, so the only thing you can do is pay up. Ok, we are talking about 6 euro cents here, but it is all about the principle. Two minutes later we dock back to the mainland and find our way back to the busstop. Apparently the quiet street becomes a buy market place in the evening. Bought some Thai delights and then went searching for the correct bus. Remember we took a blue bus with number 166 to get here. Blue, red, orange and yellow buses pass by and then there is a bus with callsign 166. This is a red bus and you should know, the red buses are free. How lucky can you get. Well, not that lucky, because apparently a bus of a different colour, even with the same number, doesn't go to the same destination. So unknowingly I end up at the terminal of this red bus, and of course this is not where I was supposed to be. Luckily, transportation is widely available in and around the capital and there is a minivan going straight to the Victory Monument. 25 baht and about the same amount of minutes later we arrive back where we started this little adventure. Ko Kret, a small quiet island not too far from Bangkok. Worth a visit. I will be back for sure.

For sure.