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Published: January 9th 2010
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Thailand is the most accesable country in this region ,if not the world for the tourist new and old to the art of travel.The white powder beaches, clear azure seas ,fantastic cuisine and endless adventure activities has made Thailand asias number one destination for farang, hungry for a taste of Asia.
Over the years as a cyclist ive grown fonder of the more out of the way places, finding a dusty village in the Atlas mountains a more rewarding experience than a cocktail on a beach with the choice of several international cuisines at my fingertips.With this knowledge Thailand to me was going to be a bit of a holiday rather than the hardships we faced in the Sahara or the tough going in Java.A holiday was on the cards anyway as we met up with my sister Marsha for a week in Ko Lanta and did the whole cocktail(beers) thing on the beach and lots of time to relax.
We also became a three for the next couple of months as a good friend from backhome has joined us from here upto Vietnam.Hes called Frenchbloke but you can call him Berni.Our route took us round the kharst
limestone mountains at Krabi and along the west coast to Ranong.Signs of Tsnumani evacuation routes told of the recent history of the region as we plodded along the coastline.There is an exellent tsnumani museum and guesthouse at Kamphuan on route 4 where we met the local enviroment hero Panowat who gave us an interesting insight into the boxing day events and the lowdown on comunity projects.This man is enthusiastic and very passionate about the world.We need more like him.I recommend a visit the donations go along way.
This is the part of Thailand I like,its untouristic and the land of smiles comes alive ,living upto its name.I do think that tourism has a negitive effect on some local people.As a foreigner I am lucky enough to have the choice to visit these countries and this knowledge is not lost on me at all.Cycling up through Thailand you meet both worlds of this country.Local life in small villages and dusty towns devoid of tourism together with the beach life and the fast paced farang jungles of Krabi ,Ko Samui etc.My point being you hardly ever meet a locals in these towns with alterior motives to take you for a ride
and earn some extra cash.While I take my hat off to industrious folk who think up clever ways to earn that extra money I definetly prefer the out of the way places,where the people see you as what you are ,a foreigner covered in road soot cycling in 35 degree heat looking for a bite to eat and a drink.
You could pick a million holes in what ive just written,its just my take on the fact that there are alot of people out there greedy for farang money.Its something that we only see in the tourist areas and although its done with a smile in Thailand its still a bit of a drag.
Anyhow it was a long push up the peninsula for us,still got that headwind we began with in Singapore,although there is an end to it in sight.Looking on bbc weather the wind should be in our backs around Hanoi,so only about another 2500km to go.
We stopped for a day in Ranong and took advantage of its hot springs.Very impressed with Berni's ducking with the local Burmese population in the "hot"pool.Tati got her feet wet and I got my toes scolded!
Crossed from
west to east and headed up the coast using small roads running parrallel to route 4.Many shrimp farms churning the water run along the flat coastline here.
Stayed in Prachaup Kiri Khan for christmas.We even managed to get hold of a chicken and a duck.Lots of wine was bought a bucket of ice and a load of vegtables cooked up on our unemployed msr stove.
My folks back home had put some christmas money in the bank so we even bought a dvd player for 4 days.Christmas is not complete without Bond.
Its 300km to Bangkok from here and after the festivities we pushed on north,more flat and more headwinds.One evening we were caught short on a place to stay,but a nice local lady in the town of Ban Luan took us to the local Wat and had words with the head monk who was glad to put us up for the night.We were well cared for,slept under our mossie net to the bewilderment of the monks.In the morning we were fed and given a tour of the inner santuary by the head monk.Great experience.We left a suitable donation and headed into the big city for new years.
Khao San has changed since we were last here,as has Lanta.Ten years is a long time in tourism.New year was fun.Endless beers and gins.Still cant believe I woke up the next morning feeling alright.Must be the good air in Bangkok.
Had a brief stop in Ayuthaya,checked out some of the old temples there and then did a dash for the border along route 33.Flay and a bit boring we were all getting geared up for a change of pace and way of life as Cambodia waited away to the east
Distance 1555km
Days 32
Date dec- jan 09- 10
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