Thailand trains

We arrived at the train station battling traffic, fatigue and culture shock but we figured out what train to board. All three of us had top bunks, cosy and snug, but small. Lots of backpackers on the train, mostly Europeans and Aussies. I expected them to drink themselves to oblivion but backpackers don't seem to have a lot of disposable income, thus the drinking was curtailed. Everyone settled into their bunks at about 9:00. The bedding was clean, the tea was good and the rocking lulled us all to sleep. Every once in a while the train would jar to the left or right and I would wake with a start thinking I was going to fall out of the bunk. The bathrooms were another issue... There were both western and squatty potties on the train. Trying not to touch anything in the bathroom is an issue on a moving train. Choose the squatty, it's easier and smells better and you don't have to have good balance. Enough said.... 14 hours later we arrived at the Surat Thani stop. Had to cut my luggage loose because I couldn't find the key to my lock. So if you happen to be riding train #85 in Thailand and you see a bike lock attached to the train, it's mine. I found the key after we left. It did occur to me the futility of attaching a bike lock to a cloth handle. Didn't think of that when I put it on. There was a reason why people gave me odd looks. Had a little bit of a meltdown when I couldn't find the key, but the girls helped me through it. 14 hours on a train, 1 hour on a bus, 3 hours on a ferry, and a half hour in the back of a pick-up truck, we finally arrived in paradise. Swam, ate, walked the beach, watched a movie and settled into our room for a good nights sleep.