The bike shop we located yesterday was a big disappointment; they didn't do services but told us Lee's bike needed a new second cog and quoted us 800bht. We noticed that new bikes being sold in the shop were going for around 4000bht so we got a little suspicious and left. At another shop round the corner, Lee's clicking bike was fixed for 40bht – it would appear that the bearings in his pedals were full of grit. We leave Chumphon and its cozy hotel and we're back on the road after an eight day break. We've decided to limit todays cycling to 30km, and find a resort in Phatio, but the topiary freaks Kate out, the caretaker looks like he could be capable of murder and they're charging 900 bht for one night. We decide to bed down at the next place, but this changes when we meet Bill,
a Canadian who is also cycling towards Bangkok. It transpires Bill has taken much the same route and Lee and I, although at a much faster pace – he's completed 1800km in 3 weeks. Some people are crazy! We decide to hang out for a bit and ride together for the next few days or so, although Bill is used to cycling over 100km per day – we'll slow him down, but not today – we encounter difficulties finding digs for the night and end up being charged 900bht for a double room, albeit in a stunning setting, so Lee and I share with Bill to keep the cost down. Bill looks lovely in pink.....
Kilometers: 88km
Total Kilometers: 1380km
Day 57: Ban Tham Thong to Bang Saphan Noi
After a good nights kip – it better had be for 900bht – we set off with no clear destination in mind.
I get the feeling that this doesn't worry Bill; it always turns out well in the end... Unfortunately after 27kms the rain starts and after a 2hr stop in a shop, coupled with Bill's confession that he cycles in the rain, we reach a compromise; we'll cycle in the rain as long as we stop at the next guest house. Deal! Digs found after a further 10km for 400bht in Bang Saphan Noi – tidy little bungalows, but riddled with the dreaded mozzies!!! The resort has a restaurant attached and we plan to eat there later, but when we turn up at 8pm, we're informed that the it has shut for the night. We're just about to start walking the 3km to the last village we passed when some people from the resort (not sure if they are staff or guests) proffer their concerns that it is too far and we grab a much appreciated lift in the back of their pick up truck to the nearest 7/11 shop. Crisps, chocolate, cakes and milk for dinner!
Kilometers: 37km
Total Kilometers:1417 km
Day 58: Bang Saphan Noi to Thap Sakae
Cycling in the rain is not so bad really – it rained all day today so we didn't have any choice in the matter. We think the rainy season has definitely kicked in now, so Lee and I plan to invest in some proper cycling gear like Bill's when we reach Bangkok – I can't cycle in cotton – it holds the water, makes me cold and takes 18hrs to dry. After 64km, we all finally decide to call it a day in Thap Sakae, it a Chinese run guest house for 400bht per night.
Kilometers: 64
Total Kilometers: 1481
Day 59: Thap Sakae to Prachuap Khiri Khan
We limit Bill to 47km today, on fairly uneventful and boring day of cycling. There are no coast roads to PKK on our maps, so we decide to play it safe and head up Highway 4, which is traffic heavy. We reach PKK in the early afternoon, and on our way into the town centre, notice a temple at the top of a large hill – we will climb this later.
Fantastic digs found for 400bht with all mod cons and a swimming pool (which we did not use in any case). Back to the hill, where Bill buys bananas for the hoards of monkeys which live here but promptly has the bag ripped out of his hand by the mischievous little buggers seconds later! 396 steps later, we're at the top with fabulous views over the town centre and coastline.
Kilometers: 46
Total Kilometers: 1527
Day 60: Prachuap Khiri Khan to Hua Hin
A colossal 100km completed today, with Bill (fondly referred to as the “bike tyrant”) mostly in front, out of shouting distance; possibly in revenge for yesterday's poor accomplishment and a ploy to push us newbies to our limit. We are now cycling 30km at a time without a break. We are looking forward to buying cushioned cycling shorts in Bangkok as our bottoms are now a permanent bruised colour! We reach Hua Hin and find digs for 490bht at Les BoBo's (no joke), and once inside, Kate is delighted to find a pet rabbit just like Jessica, only white. We will rest here for two days before cycling to Pretchubari and,on Bills's advice, catch the train to Bangkok instead of cycling in. Apparently, within 100km of Bangkok, the traffic is manic and reaching the city centre itself will be very difficult. We head out into Hua Hin later for food, and we notice many older western men with young thai girls. Bill finds the women here beautiful; even the ladyboys!
Kilometers: 100
Total Kilometers: 1627
Cute monkeys - even if they are naughty lol
ReplyDeleteJosie-May x x x