I felt somewhat relieved that this days’ route was only 45 km. However, after that 101 km ride, my body was not so happy to have to sit on the bicycle again, so it felt quite hard. At first I went to Chumphon railway station because I had read that all the ferry agents were there. Funny enough, googling for the coordinates of the night ferry did not bring up a real location, so I had to ask there. One Thai tried to sell me the speed boat ticket but after I told him that I want the night ferry, he even let me a map and pointed me to the right location. However it must have been the 100th copy of a copy and so I was quite happy to find signs to the ferry ... read more

SEE THE BOTTOM PICS WITH THE ALIEN COW!! Somebody had a recommendation for a place at Ban Krut and I had to make way so I decided to go the approximately 67 km to that place. The ride was rather boring but for a part of the road where my Navigation System failed and I had to navigate by compass, it was really interesting. You never know where a road might turn. My bicycle did not like that road. The lamp broke off, the fender was working as a brake and I had to fix it today. I arrived at this resort, the Na Na Chart Ban Krut Resort, at http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11.37583602,99.58399957 and it is lovely. Nobody here, the beach is empty, the bungalow only 600 Bath (13 EUR) and they even have a pool. The weather ... read more

MORE PICS AT THE BOTTOM Somehow riding the bike was hard today, harder than the last days. I entered the park and I had read about some great caves, outstanding temples, boat rides into the mangroves and and and. But to be honest, this bike trip turns out to be a bit different than expected. I thought going by bicycle would give me some deep insight into Thai living and let me discover new things. But the truth is that I am always in a kind of hurry that I have to work around 2 pm local time, so I try to have a room until that time. I do make breaks often but I never really have the time to see much. Sure, I enjoy the landscape and sometimes I see little details, I have ... read more

I started cruising the rest of Cha-Am and found the south part to be a bit more noble. Seafood and large Resort Hotels almost replaced the guesthouses and streetfood. Then I had to return to the Autobahn unfortunately because there was no beach road. Today I was quite lucky twice. Just when I entered the Highway, there was a road construction and there was a cable hanging over all 6 lanes, from one side to the other. In the Moment I passed, it fell down to about 1.5m right in front of me. In full Speed I ducked below it but had it happened one second later it would have torn me off my bike, just like in the old western movies. A few km later I passed closely two workers cutting grass with motor scythes ... read more

So today I arrived in Cha-Am – my so far longest day trip of 54 km. My ass is in real trouble and I have to get some laundry done (already had to turn around my underwear J) so I decided to stay here for another day. I took no pictures along the road, had to focus on pain and made many breaks. At one point I met a pickup truck that was going slowely, searching for recyclable rubbish along the road. I just hung on to it with my arm and let me pull for some minutes. Riddle of the day: how did the driver react when he saw me hanging to his truck? a) shouted and was angry (german style) b) pushed the throttle to get me off (Spanish way) c) was completely happy ... read more