Day 14 - Phetchaburi to Bangkok (147.45km)

Day 14 - 15th July 2008

Bangkok..... 2 weeks to reach my destination.

Had my final "mechanical" problem with my bike. A puncture in Samut Songkhram. There was absolutely no shade along the stretch where I could fix my bike so I went to a "factory" along the stretch and seeked permission to use the benches and shaded area to fix the puncture.

The employees were curious and asked where I was from. After I had fixed my puncture. They offered me a ice cold water in a mug which I appreciated very much. They even offered to top up my water bottle for the final stretch. Bid them farewell and thanked them for their help.

Just a couple of kilometres before central Bangkok, stopped at a Petronas station. So far I had spotted 3 in Thailand. I needed to get myself orientated in Bangkok. My previous experience riding in Bangkok with my motorbike caused me much "distress". The sois and signs can cause some confusion and the occasional one way traffic at certain times will see you going down the wrong flow of traffic.

Whipped out my map and checked with the people at the station where I was was, how much more I had to cover. At this point, I did not know where I was going to stay. I had some options. I could stay at the over-rated and touristy Khao San near the democracy monument. I could stay at Silom near Lumpinee park which would put me close to the bicycle shop in Soi Sarasin where I need to head to to pack my bike for my flight back to Singapore.

I somehow managed to reach Central Bangkok by checking with police officers, shop owners and even tourists along the road by asking them where was Lumpinee park. I passed Hualumpong station and reached the national statium. Anyway I knew there were a couple of decent hotels near the sois near the national stadium so decided to find soi 1 near the national stadium and got myself a room in an inn at a great deal. 700 baht per night. It's a little known backpacker area near the heart of the shopping district.

Completed my long ride.... Singapore to Bangkok. 2180km. 14 Days.

Day 13 - Prachuab Khiri Khan to Phetchaburi (162.25km)

Day 13 - 14th July 2008

It was singlespeed all the way today. Broke my rear derailleur cable on the way to Phetchaburi. Didn't have any spares but hoped that there would be a bicycle shop in Phetchaburi who could replace it.

Although there was a shop in Phetchaburi selling bicycles. It seemed the mechanic was not present to fix up my derailluer cable.

Decided the problem was not too serious. I was just another day to Bangkok.

Found a hotel for 200 baht close to the exit of town.

Did a quick fix on my derailluer by first dumping my derailluer cable and housing. Adjusted the derailluer so that the chain would be in the middle sprockets.

The bike was still rideable and all I needed to do is resist the temptation to change gears.

Day 12 - Prachuab Khiri Khan, Rest Day

Day 12 - 13th July 2008

Rest Day

I'm flooding the blog with words... anyway here are some pictures taken in Prachuab Khiri Khan

Day 11 - Chumpon to Prachuab Khiri Khan (180.37km)

Day 11 - 12th July 2008

180.37km

This the ride I had been waiting for. I've been to Prachuab Khiri Khan in 2006 when I rode my motorcycle here. So far, it's the least touristy town I've encountered in Thailand. I was looking forward to visiting this town again. I enjoyed the variety of food in this town and it's proximity to the beach and it's beautiful bays. The images still linger around in my mind.

It was uneventful ride all the way to Prachuab. Passing the narrowest point in Thailand. I spot signs pointing me to Myanmar. I'll love to go there one day but not at this moment.

About 35km away from Prachuap as I riding at "breakneck speed" to the town I spotted 2 recumbents by the shoulder with flags of Australia & Thailand on them. At first I rode past, then I spotted that one of the riders called me. I turned back and stopped for a chat. It was good chatting with them as it brought things back into perspective. I was riding distances which were a bit too long and not stopping to really appreciate my surroundings. Thanks to Lee for also writing in Thai several words which would allow me to find suitable accmodation. Although I was nearing the end of my trip, the list will certainly be useful for me in the future when I do return to Thailand. Visit their website to know more about them and their ride http://www.pcw.iinet.net.au/

After my chat with Mal & Lee, I needed to get to Prachuab Khiri Khan while Mal & Lee were looking for accomodation in a guesthouse in the area.

Just before sundown, I managed to get to Prachuab Khiri Khan. In my previous trip, I used to stay at the Hudaloh Hotel. It was the only "real" hotel in Prachuab. I saw a group of Thai motorcyclists at the hotel. At the moment, I was really missing my motorcycle. Anyway, I enquired with the staff if any rooms were available. I was surprized that the price of a room had increased. 2 years back, a room facing the bay Ao Prachuab cost 600 baht and a room in the basement cost 400 baht. I decided to check out other accomodation around the vicinity.

Along the same stretch, there is another hotel. Suksant Hotel. I checked if there were rooms. I had the option of choosing a fan or air-con room. I decided to go with the fan rooms which was a good choice as the rooms faced the Ao Prachuab. Beautiful Views. The hotel's lift was also long enough for me to simply wheel in my bike into the lift without any effort.

I decided to stay another night in Prachuab and explore this beautiful & quiet Thai town.

Day 10 - Surat Thani to Chumpon (195.89km)

Day 10 - 11th July 2008

195.89km

It's back on the main Highway to and I'm now on my way to Chumpon. This town is the marker for me which will signify the end of the deep southern end of Thailand and the start of the upper gulf of Thailand.

I've not mentioned this before but all the towns are off the main highway. To get to Chumpon, I had to divert off the main highway and get to the roads leading to the town. Comparing this to Malaysia, where the main highway runs right through the towns, cities and states. The design of the roads in Thailand are very different. I guess it's a whole lot more better as the main towns are kept away from traffic which could disrupt the feel of the town.

I briefly got lost at Chumpon and made a big loop around town. After checking with a nurase who was waiting for a motorcycle taxi at a nearby hospital, I got my bearings right and found my way to the a hotel listed in the Lonely Planet guidebook. I checked into the Morakot Hotel. It was listed in the guide that this hotel is located behind a motorcycle dealership. And true enough, the lobby was actually behind the motorcycle shop.

The staff were friendly and it was about 350baht for a room with air con and cable TV. Bicycles can be brought to the room. Rooms were spotless.

Day 9 - Nakhon Si Thammarat to Surat Thani (145.33km)

Day 9 - 10th July 2008
145.33km

The distance to Surat Thani was short compared to what I've done so far but this was a section which had a couple of hills to conquer. They were seriously not too tough and it was a welcome change from the usual flat terrain I encountered along the main highway 4.

This province is the gateway to Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan. If you watched the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo Di Caprio, you'll have a rough idea of what's in store in this beautiful islands. The islands are very touristy nowadays.

Along the way to Surat Thani, I also passed Don Sak. Don Sak also has regularly scheduled ferries to the islands such as Ko Samui. Bicycles and motorbikes are allowed on the ferries.

In Surat Thani, I was paced by a lady on a motorbike who was kinda interested to know where, why and how I came down to her town. What was interesting about this conversation was that the lady spoke English to me. Told her the details and reassured myself by asking her if I was heading to Surat Thani in the right direction.

I was in Surat Thani at around lunch and by luck when I approached a police officer to check for the nearest hotel, I discovered that I was at the back of a hotel. I immediately proceeded in without knowing what was the name of the hotel. Approached the staff and the first thing I checked was if there were rooms and if I was allowed to bring my bicycle into the room.

I discovered I checked into Siam Thara Hotel. It cost 390 baht for an air conditioned room. The furnishings in the room were retro. Especially liked the red dial phone in the room. It was a decent place for the night.

As always food is never an issue in amazing Thailand. Just across the street, there was a shop selling cooked food.

Saw a couple of cyclists riding past, decided to find out if there was a bike shop nearby but didn't get a chance to explore the town fully. Will probably be back there sometime in the future.

Day 8 - Hatyai to Nakhon Si Thammarat (205.24km)

Day 8 - 9th July 2008

205.24km

For this section of the ride, if I had the capability, I would have loved to ride all the way to Surathani and save a day. But that would have probably added an additional 100km to my already "painful" 200km. So I decided to stick to my orginal plan and ride to Nakhon Si Thammarat. I would live to not regret the decision.

From Hatyai, I headed to Phattalung. Couple slopes to get over. Was wishing for some motorized transport. Wished I had a powerful 600cc motorbike with me to get me over these hills. But seriously, it was not too tough and just before Thung Song, I turned right towards the highway 403 which leads to highway 408. Highway 403 will lead me to Nakhon Si Thammarat from the southern end of town.

It was in this section, during my numerous breaks, I met a Thai cyclist. I was at a shop, drinking a bottle a coke and refilling my waterbottle when a cyclist past me. He caught a glance of me and waited for me down the road. I stopped to say hi. I guess he was kinda training. Although instintively, I wanted to follow him at his speed. I refrained from doing so.

This is the first time I'm in Nakhon Si Thammarat. This a a very real Thai town. Did not see many tourists in town. And at the time I arrived, lots of students just finished school and traffic was heavy. Lots of tut tuts, motorcycles and cars. Initially, I overshot the town and ended up at a fish market... I figured out I had overshot when the buildings and signs faded away as I continued to cycle pass. I took out Lonely Planet, Thailand from my panniers and checked the map. To be extra sure, I checked with one of the business owners in the market where the hotel was. I was pointed in the direction back into town.

I made a U-turn and kept my eyes peeled out for any signs pointing to a hotel. Finally I found Thai Lee Hotel. It was about 420 baht a night. I was not allowed to bring the bicycle to my room but the staff took good care of my bike.

Upon entering the hotel, my bike was wheeled into the security room inside the lobby and placed securely in the room. I just tried my luck by checking if I could bring my bike to the room, but it was not allowed. I was satisfied with the assurance given by hotel staff and pretty impressed by the the urgency of staff in making sure I was comfortable.

It cost be 420 baht for an airconditioned room with hot water and cable TV which is excellent value for money.

Anyway Nakhon Si Thammarat has some amazing wats. One of the biggest wats in the country are found in this province. There was a very good food centre behind the hotel. Dinner was settled there and it was back to the hotel to recover.