Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

THAILAND PAGE 5 JULY 2008

Wednesday July 9^th 2008 Thung Tako to Chumpon.
Approx. 46.34k's Average Speed 15.73kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 57Min. Max speed. 44kph Max temp we recorded 32°C
Terrain: Hilly Road Conditions: Very Good Overnight Accommodation: $11.00 – Self contained cabin Standard Good.
It was raining and thunderstorms all around us today – but we received only a tiny sprinkling.. It was great for ridding as it kept the temp down to a cool 32 degrees C... We started late with loads of hugs and goodbye's, food to go, and lots of fruit... We had to decline accepting too much as we would not have been able to pedal :-) Lee's family were wonderful hosts... We were stopped several times, once by a truckie, who brought along his esky with ice cold water.... Thanks mate...

Further along the road we saw another giant Buddha...

We cycled only three hours or so but were on the road double that.... Finally we found a lovely “resort” (They are not really “resorts” but the people call them that, this was just 3 huts in a cleared area), The hut is a little small but is spotlessly clean, and relatively new... It has Air con. ensuit, TV and fan... At only (less than) $11.00 per night it is just what we need....

The guy that has started this business, is also a policeman – he is slowly building his assets as he is still a very young man – WE wish him well... Catchya Later....
Thursday July 10^th 2008 Chumphon To Tha Sae District.
Approx. 35.44k's Average Speed 13.74kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 35Min. Max speed. 45kph Max temp we recorded 31°C
Terrain: Quite Hilly Road Conditions: Very Good Overnight Accommodation: $15.00. Standard Very Good.
Normal start today but, we needed internet – something not as easy to find here. We have had no WiFi that we could locate and “piggy back” in Thailand. Ever wondered where “Dragon fruit” come from? Increasingly popular in Australia the “tree” looks like this....

We have seen two varieties Red and White flesh.... The red is the most tasty... We continued on and met fabulous people, stopped at a place that specialises in steamed buns... These are simply rice bread buns, which are filled with many things, from sweet to savoury. They are kept moist in a steamer as “Rice Bread” does not behave the same as wheat bread. I find them delicious but cannot eat the sweet ones...

The lady on my left has family in Sweden and America... She said she would like to meet a “foreign” guy to help change her life... :-) She speaks a little English (more than most) and was quite a good conversationalist. We passed an area that specialises in “Thai Massage”..

An extremely honourable profession, dating back centuries.... A massage currently costs, anything up to $5.00 per hour... In all cases you do not remove your clothing, however, often you are asked to wear a suit of clothes that are designed to assist the masseur/masseuse. We did not stop of course..... We are staying in a “resort” again – a proper one this time, next door, is one of the increasing number of cafe's that are spotlessly clean and modern... If functions a bit like a “food hall” in Australia.

A plate of food is still less than $1.00, (25 Baht = $0.80¢) and “iced” water is free. Catchya Later....

Friday July 11^th 2008 Tha Sae District to Bang Sa Paan.
Approx. 50.98k's Average Speed 15.29kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 20Min. Max speed. 47kph Max temp we recorded 38°C
Terrain: Quite Hilly Road Conditions: Very Good Overnight Accommodation: $6.50. Standard Fair.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA HAZEL JEAN

Happy birthday to one of my Grandaughters (Mal) To those whose birthdays have not appeared here, we have only just started doing it, sorry. Breakfast today was in the nice restaurant... Here's a picture of Lee's – fresh Salad Rice and an Egg.. She said it was delicious :-)

We stopped for a BBQ about half way through our ride.... All types of meats, Chicken, Eggs, and Fish are BBQ'd by the Isaan vendors...

Mostly it is fresh food, good quality and fairly priced – today was no exception.... Not much else of interest so Catchya Later....
Saturday July 12^th 2008 Bang Sa Paan to Thap Sakae (KM352).
Approx. 70.51k's Average Speed 16.77kph Cycling time 4Hr(s) 12Min. Max speed. 46kph Max temp we recorded 41°C
Terrain: Very Hilly Road Conditions: Very Good Overnight Accommodation: $9.75. Standard Good. (Brilliant for a Cyclist).
A new day.... We left our hotel just after 9am for the slow cycle north... Plenty to see and do on the way... Saw this GIANT Chicken on the road, looking a little worse for wear, why anyone would build such a huge chicken is beyond me..... But, who am I to judge :-)

The mandatory pictures at the café were in order today.. This pretty 12yr old and her Mum were delighted to sit with the bike – we asked them to look out for their photo on the internet We need to adjust our camera as the quality today is terrible.... Both mother and daughter speak some English.

Met a young guy his name is “Ganesh”, he is cycling from Singapore. He has covered the distance to where we are, in just 10 days, however, he chose the shortest route along the west coast of Malaysia..

He is travelling “Super Light” - no gear and not even mudguards... He does 200+++ k's per day and averages between 25 – 35 KPH, Phenomenal !!!

We we exchanged phone numbers and were on our way(s). Our accommodation tonight is a “gem” Air conditioned, Ensuite, TV, Video, and a huge lockable area for bikes....

Sorry for the picture quality, but it will give you some idea.... Catchya Later.....

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