12/10/2013 - Cycling SE Asia. Day 4

Distance cycled: 107km from uncle Brian's place to Ban Krut Beach
Average speed: 21.8km/h
Moving time:4h56m
Total distance: 408km
Border X'ings: 0
Money spent: 100 Baht ($3)

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Highs and lows. There are always highs and lows when it comes to touring on a bicycle, today was evident of this; leaving uncles place where I had spent the last two days where I was treated to all the comfort that you would possibly get at an all inclusive resort to finishing the day in my tent on the beach... I know this doesn't sound so bad but as I write this I am sweating profusely and surrounded by many dozens of blood sucking mosquitoes. Another example is the weather and being caught in a dumping of rain that occurred on two occasions.
By no means am I not enjoying this trip towards Singapore it's just quite different from touring in Europe and North America.
I am going to try and make it to the full moon party on Koh Pha Ngan that starts in a week put simply to party it up and meet some traveling backpackers. To Surat Thani it's only 300km from where I am now and this is where you get the ferry across to the island, the terrain is flat and I generally get good tailwind so two and a half days I should be there.

Leaving Uncles Place

Monkeys… I hate Monkeys!

…But fighting Dinosaurs… thats all good!

09/10/2013 to 12/10/2013 - Uncle Brian's new home.

Uncle Brian's new place is simply sick! Secluded, clean, comfortable, warm and welcoming.
About 300km south of Bangkok on the west of the gulf of Thailand surrounded by... not much other than small local homes and very few westerners.
His and his wife's house is, in a word, is 'conspicuous', a large white modern structure with an infinity pool a literal stones throw away from the beach.
It's the perfect place to unwind, relax and sooth aching muscles - ideal for me then.
I hadn't seen uncle B or Wannee (his wife) in a good few years so it was great to catch up over great food, really amazing food and many beers.What a place. Such a great time, thanks Uncle and Auntie! You guys are amazing.

09/10/2013 - Cycling SE Asia. Day 3

Distance cycled: 74.1km Hua Hin to Uncle Brian's beach house :)
Average speed: 22.4km/h
Moving time:3h18m
Total distance: 300km
Border X'ings: 0
Money spent: 200Baht ($6.50)

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What a day!
The sun was out, my shirt was off, beautiful views, great roads and to finish up the day at my uncles new beach home that is way out from the main touristy spots was simply awesome.
Things that were not so good... Sunburn, my back is raw; and my knee was irritating me a little bit. But other than that, that's it.
I was so happy I took the shorter and more scenic route through Khao Sam Roi Yot National park as it offered less traffic than Hwy 4 and also fantastic views - views I don't need to mention as you can just view the pictures below.
It had been 3 years since I had seen him and his wife (Wannee) and it was great to catch up in I would say a near perfect location, this is his house... with an infinity pool right on the beach.
I'll stick around here for the next few days. :)

 

8/10/2013 - Cycling SE Asia. Day 2

Distance cycled: 127km from Ratchaburi to Hua Hin
Average speed: 21.3km/h
Moving time: 5h57m
Total distance: 226km
Border X'ings: 0
Money spent: 600Baht ($20)

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I know I said yesterday that I was trying not to I'm spending far too much money here in Thailand, this is because it is so difficult to find a decent camping spot (free camping) but also because it is so hot and humid, I am in a desperate need of a shower at the end of the day. Speaking of it being hot, today despite applying many coats of sun cream I got burnt over yesterday's sunburn - it doesn't hurt yet but I'm sure it will soon. Although saying this, I feel my body getting use to the heat and I am not perspiring as much as I did when I was back in Bangkok where I doing nothing more than drinking beer.
I spent the day weaving in and out of the main highway south finding some great tracks that were vacant of any traffic; but with a pro there is always a con and in this case it was dogs chasing me when I startled them awake as I passed.
I hate to keep on going on about it but every day I find myself enjoying the food more and more. I had the best papaya salad of my life with some very tasty coconut cream filled half ball thingy's that were equally as delicious.
I'm cycling down the coast quite quickly as I have to meet up with my Uncle who lives 70km south of Hua Hin before the weekend as he is heading north to visit Chang Mai.
I had to spend the night in Hua Hin because parts of my body started to bother me especially my knee from pushing hard today, I think it's a good effort on my 2nd day to have cycled 230km from Bangkok.

On my way to Hua Hin, Thailand

Night Market, Hua Hin, Thailand

The Crazy Lightning Storm that passed over Hua Hin

07/10/2013 - Cycling SE Asia. Day 1

Distance cycled: 99.3 km from Bangkok, Khoa San Road to Ratchaburi
Average speed: 24.9km/h
Moving time: 4h00min
Total distance: 99km
Border X'ings: 0
Money spent: 740 Baht ($20)

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I don't know why I thought that Thailand would have ideal weather for cycling; it's hot, humid and most afternoons (around the time i start looking for a decent place to camp) the heavens open their flood gates and attempt to drown out people in the real world.
Thailand is cheap, really really cheap however I am trying not to spend so much money as I had spent far too much in Europe for no good reason at all (refer to a few posts back). Today I spent quite a lot but mostly for spare parts for my bike and a hotel room for the night, I got a great deal on a spare inner tube and some sports tape to wrap around the handlebars, the locals at this bike shop were more than willing to help and find out about my touring around the world and like most people, they were impressed.
Today felt a bit strange as normally when I begin these bike trips I have a sense of being daunted even frightened especially when I start off in a big city but today in central Bangkok I simply navigated the streets west out of the city without anything bothering me; the traffic was intense on the 'A' road but I kept my cool, well as cool as i could be as I dripped more sweat into my shirt - maybe this is a sign that I am content and happy to return to my real passion of cycling around the world.
the town of Ratchaburi was nothing special, it seemed like no tourist ever venture into this part of the country as no one could speak English and I drew everyone's attention when I entered the local food market down the road from the hotel room. The food was so-so but apparently I'll be soon overwhelming my taste buds with a plethora of various seafoods on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
I am absolutely exhausted from cycling as much as I did today but tomorrow will be longer as I want to get as close to Hua hin as possible because my Uncle lives nearby.
Day 1, done and dusted, many more to go.

Setting off from Bangkok!

Bangkok bender 03/10/2013 - 06/10/2013

Ahhh... Bangkok, what a place! A hectic yet fun filled city with everything from delicious food to all night partying, lots of unspecified alcoholic percentage beer and um *cough* 'pong pong' shows.
What I mentioned above was the series of events that actually happened on my second night. I will not go into the details but the 'ping pong' show is something of an experience that must be observed for anyone who visits Bangkok.
I know what Bangkok is like as I have been here twice before and it is easy to get sucked into the habit of drinking every evening, but its a great way to meet people and socialize; and this I did, I made some good friends and had a blast with so many.
But I had to prepare for my bike trip and reassemble my bike and repair the damage that Egypt air had done to it, mind you it was only minor but I had to take it to a bike shop fix the issues.
With everything sorted and with my last night in bed early under the cool breeze of the ceiling fan I woke to start the beginning of my bicycle trip around SE Asia towards Singapore.