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.

 

27/09/2013 - 02/10/2013 A rushed week in Turkey.

My time in turkey was rather rushed as it is a more expensive country than most in SE Asia.

I flew into Antalya to reunite with my bicycle after 6 months, during this time away I have decided to name my bicycle "a girls name", this is because I could not decide on an specific woman's name for it as all day that i am cycling from country to country i am crushing my balls; however Steffi's name did come to mind for one reason or another.

Anyway it was great to see my bike again and once again cruise about the roads taking in the Mediterranean Sea breeze and searing sun, it was a happy moment for me.

I was able to catch up only briefly with the girl who has looked after my bike and some of my belongings or these 6 months, Burcu, still as lovely as ever did not need my many thankyou's for all she had done however I did find her some maple syrup in Berlin that she asked for before I departed.

I spent the weekend in Antalya in the sun at a lovely and cheap place with a swimming pool where i had stayed before and a somewhat fancy restaurant, even though I had spent quite a long time away from Turkey I still was bored of the food, it's greasy and a little repetitive although this has something to do with the budget I am on.

Speaking of which, having recently checked my bank balance I was very shocked with how much of my savings I ate into while in Europe, it was such a waste of... everything being there.

I had less than a week in Turkey to organize my bike and get it and myself up to Istanbul for my flight to Bangkok; I took a 12 hour night bus to get there however when loading my bike onto it people yet again showed me how ridiculous they are with little to no common sense. I presented my bicycle to the one guy who was loading the bus, showing him how awkward in shape and size it was, he kept on telling me "no problem, no problem", I waited along side my bike until it was obvious that my bike wouldn't fit under the bus. He kept on loading suitcases and bags, he turns around to see my bike again with a stunned look on his face, so I say sarcastically "no problem, no problem" as I helped him unload the whole bus to accommodate my bike; a stupid waste of time and effort as I was dripping with sweat when boarding the bus.

Arriving at the main bus station in Istanbul (Otogar) I re-assembled my bike to head into the city. I have frightening memories when cycling in Istanbul especially when on the main roads towards the center so after several attempts of trying to get out of the station to find alternative means to the center (it was very confusing as it was a multistory complex) I finally found a nearby metro where I paid extra for having the bike. This didn't quite get me into the center but close enough that I could avoid the main roads and take the side streets.

With only a few sketchy moments I made it back to a cheap hostel I found on a previous visit to the city. Its a dark and scummy place to stay but actively saving money now is on my agenda, the staff are nice and I was even able to sell my old laptop to one of them making €100. I was going to give it to 'the one I shall not name' but in no way did or does she deserve it.

The two days I spent in Istanbul I did not see any of the touristy sights, however the weather was not conducive for sightseeing but I was busy packing my bike into a box it keep the weight of my bike and luggage (check-in) to 46kg with another 8kg of carry on weight. I was pretty stoked that I managed to get everything perfect (weight and size) within the luggage restrictions.

I didn't really drink much beer whilst in the country not only because its is expensive but also I didn't meet many people keen to have a few laughs, the majority of the people at the hostel I stayed at were long term guests who were tightly knitted. But saying this I befriended a few of them including a Finnish guy (Mikko) who had a mutual friend who I met back 4 years ago when crossing the Baltic Sea from Sweden to Finland. After one conversation with Mikko about how small the world is the following day I ran into a guy from Australia who I first met in Munich 6 weeks ago and again in the same place 4 weeks later; and again here... Mikko was shocked to see this unfold right I front of him.

With everything all packed I got help from this Aussie guy I met in Munich to take my bags whilst I wheeled my bicycle (on a shopping trolley) to the buses that took me to the airport. Thankfully I double checked my airline ticket to see that my flight to Bangkok was departing from another airport, I was so close to going to the wrong one.

It was easy enough to get everything organized and all went smoothly.

All these pictures were taken in Antalya, Turkey.