Nakhon si Thamarat
Hope you're all well, yes on holiday again! cycling southern Thailand. The bike had a good rest at the airport terminal whilst headed on into Bangkok for a rest, such a long flight. Did go to see went to see a martial arts instructor to learn some Wing Chun, great bloke, good fun. Also, had some massage after the long flight, the harder 2hr kind - being back 35c heat, brilliant - love it.
Flew to Hat Yai with my bike, stripped off at the airport conveyor belt as usual, less people watching once the arrival has cleared, and cycled out of Hat Yai to Songkla, on the coast. There's a beautiful mermaid statue the locals consider very lucky if you rub her breasts! Guest house run by Bulgarian family, very unusual in Thailand for westerners. not many here in the deep south, well of the beaten track.
Its my first cycle tour alone - ahhhh - and its been fine so far, I found out that i can navigate after all, rewarding to dead reckon by compass and rabbits foot. From Songkla to Hua Sai was 110km straight up the coast, with a ferry ride across a bay, breakfast was 8am, not bad for me.
Up the coast found a deserted Thai beach resort - a Thai Muslim village - shopping around for food good fun, as usual people friendly and charming, all it takes is a smile. Tonight its an upmarket hotel (have beer in the fridge), great grub - will be stopping somewhere basic tomorrow, a chance to fatten up in an air conditioned room.
Extremely hot today, torrential rain on the first day - really, really love my drink stops. Keep landing on my feet, didn't know i had a sense of direction as i usually don't navigate with Gavin, Keith and Peter around - usually they do that.
Looking forward to that milk shake in Ko Samui. Rabbit foot and compass working well.
Hua Hin
Hua Hin, a bustling tourist resort 200km of Bangkok, not far to cycle now. Glanced the big posh hilton hotel and chose the cheaper one next door, good technique. Way busy here, theres so much concrete, the beach is impossible to find, so many burger kings and british style pubs blocking the view. Comprised with an italian pizza, didn't give in to KFC.
Back to bike ride, which i really enjoy. More challenges. The front wheel began to play up and i continued to cycle along hopefully willing the problem to go away. Can always hitch a lift so near the end. 30km lately, the wheel seized up, the bearings had disintegrated. Luckily there was a roadside cafe nearby and i celebrated with a cool drink when an inquiring fellow popped over to investigate, did the usual sign language conversation thai conversation.
When i said i was going to catch the bus, he insisted on taking my front wheel apart, and before i knew it, we were on a mission to fix it. Had a great 30km moped ride to get new ball bearings, was paraded to all his friends and had to stop for mid-day beer everywhere. So, he fixed my wheel, good person and he didn't want any money. Every very hospitable at the cafe so had a lunch there and set of late. Thailand is the place to break down, especially a poor westerner who can't afford a bus and has to cycle everywhere. So 70km left and 3 hours of sunlight left, plus headwind, which was great!
Love it when something doesn't go to plan. Back tyre plus spare are both broken and so i've stuck them both together to make a new one. Tyre's a bit lumpy, handle bars judder as the front wheel revolves. Found a new tyre 2 days later.
What next, tropical fruit shake, mai tai cocktail, late night swim, drinking/pool at the pub, decisions, decisions... Whats happening in Eastenders?