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 9 JULY 2008

Friday July 25th 2008 Baan Fang (about 85-90 k's from Nakhon Ratchasima) to Nawn Soong. (Near Phi Mai)
Approx. 127.21k's Average Speed 16.85kph Cycling time 7Hr(s) 33Min. Max speed. 62kph Max temp we recorded 35°C

Terrain: Mountainous Road Conditions: Good Overnight Accommodation: $7.85. Standard, Brilliant, (Cycle Friendly)

We are one days cycle from Lee's family, after a huge day – our highest since we started back in October 2006. about 8 k's before we stopped for the night we had averaged 17.57 KPH... A big number for us and a laughing stock for any “upright” cyclist reading this. I am mindful of Andrew and Joanne Hookers comments about any new cycling adventure they undertake... The need to refine the weight carried. There is now empirical proof – for us – after getting rid of 22 kilograms in Haad Yai (Southern Thailand) our enjoyment has multiplied... We now know we can do a 200k plus day, if we absolutely must!!!

We started around 7am and was ready for a big downhill... It did not happen a couple of short steep down, followed by a very slight incline UP... We only averaged 16.5kph on a downhill from over 2000 feet...... The spectators were daunting....

Good job they were friendly.. Cycling on we were stopped by a group of young people on their motorbikes, they had bought us some “isotonic” drinks...

Astounding and wonderful, that young people would think to do this, in this day and age. You have restored my faith fellows... Thank You.

That's about it from us after this very long day... Catchya Later...
Saturday July 26^th 2008 Nawn Soong. (Near Phi Mai) rest day
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Mountainous Road Conditions: Good Overnight Accommodation: $7.85. Standard, Brilliant, (Cycle Friendly)
Lee wanted a rest day so she could prepare to meet her family...Our room is large enough for our bikes, has TV, fridge, Air Con, Fan, Balcony, strong hot water shower, plenty of furniture and is near new – it is such good value, that it is hard to believe the price. The restaurant is spotless and most meals are a dollar or less.

As we had some time we were able to chat with the employee's.

The staff work two shifts Day & Night. Day shift – 7am to 6pm. Day shift is paid a daily rate of B170.00 ($5.30 – PER DAY) Night shift gets more but works from 6pm to 7am. The rate of pay for night shift is B180 ($5.60 – PER NIGHT)... Both shifts work a 7 day week, and there are NO holidays, etc.. etc..

Just to quantify this salary! B5170.00 per month or $170.00 Australian Dollars, for an average of an EIGHTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK.

The complex has a history and is something of a showplace for all things Thai, Isaan and Buddhist......

The pic gives some idea of the sheer size used in many of the images... If you are non-Thai how would you find this hotel? Or how would you even know they had accommodation? Look here..

A small section at the bottom of the main sign... Lee missed it the first pass and we had to go back (6k's) to find it..... Catchya later...
Sunday July 27^th 2008 Nawn Soong. (Near Phi Mai) to Baan Don Khun Ta – (Lee's ancestral home)
Approx. 91.05k's Average Speed 16.61kph Cycling time 5Hr(s) 29Min. Max speed. 30kph Max temp we recorded 39°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good- fair in parts Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

We will be staying with family until further notice, Lee's “paternal” Grandmother is around 90yrs old. She is suffering from severe memory loss and a weak heart. Lee loves her very much, as she was the primary care giver in her childhood and adolescence. Lee's Mother played very little part in her upbringing, however, Lee does not “judge” and to her credit, still does a lot for her Mother. It is the Lee that I love :-)

An exhausting ride today, not because we covered a big distance, but, the anticipation, the meeting(s) of several people, to whom Lee has known for much of her life. We stopped by at Lee's teacher, who did so much to help Lee continue her education, despite overwhelming obstacles. Lee now has a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration after funding herself through university. But it was the help of her Grandmother and this wonderful teacher, who despite Lee tending Buffalo and planting rice for a year, convinced the family of her extraordinary potential and got her back in school. The tenacity and grit Lee developed as a child has made her a formidable woman, that simply does not understand the word “quit”.

We started late, after breakfast and chatting – one of those poorly paid ladies I wrote about yesterday and her son posed for this photo..

After a long ride we reached Lee's Mum's home... It is about 10 k's from Lee's Grandmother...

Lee stopped to say hello and arranged to catch up with her in the coming days... Lee's mum is top right on the picture. We carried on the last few kilometres and as you can see on the picture bellow, we arrived at the family home in darkness.... Actually the “home” belongs to Lee's Aunty, who lives in Japan with her husband.

Well that's about it for today... I do not know the future and how long we will be here... We will just take it day by day.... Catchya Later....

Thursday July 31^st 2008 Nawn Soong. (Near Phi Mai) to Baan Don Khun Ta – (Lee's ancestral home) to Udon Thani
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) 2Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

On the 29^th of July, we went by bike/train to Udon Thani. (Stats to come later)

We went on the excellent rural roads.... They are two way, but have a nice wide shoulder....

I had an appointment with “my” Dentist Dr. Duangporn K. at 1 pm on the 30^th of July. I have been bothered by a “sensitive” tooth since I was in England during March this year... Antibiotics cleared up the abscess, but not the sensitivity... I made the decision back then to avoid the HUGLY expensive British Dental system and wait until I got to Thailand. I have been seeing Dr Duangporn for over 5 years. An extraction of a redundant tooth (Had nothing to bite on) plus a clean and polish, saw me with a much better outlook. I will recuperate here for another day, then we return to “Baan Don Khun Ta” by both bike, train and foot.

Aek-Udon International Hospital is outstanding as a centre for the highest quality care at some of the lowest prices. My tooth extraction , “deep clean” scale and polish cost $64.00 Lee had two fillings plus a scale and polish for about $80.00. The real savings come in "Cosmetic Dentistry", root canal, bridge work, orthodontic. 

Our niece "Ying" had  a terrible set of teeth - two rows in places... We set upon a three year orthodontic program with monthly adjustments (most months).. It cost us B40,000 TOTAL (About $1260.00 Aussie or $US1200.00). (adjustments for YOU can be made in your home country - through reciprocal agreements).

Recently, (Not this trip) Lee's Mum had hemorrhoids removed (internal) which included a three day stay in a deluxe room plus 24 hrs in intensive care. ALL fees for tests, Anesthesiology, Surgeon, and Nursing staff... came to B30,000 ($950.00 Aussie or about $US900.00). Clearly a very cost effective solution... The Op went fine, recovery was pain free and swift and she is one happy chappy. 

Many Americans come for heart bi-pass surgery and other expensive, complicated procedures. Various “international” hospitals throughout Thailand provide these services as does  Aek-Udon.

The hospital runs “apartments” and you do not need to be a patient to book one... A view from our room below....

The cost of a VERY high standard room is very reasonable. See HERE The room we are in is a “Super Deluxe” Room @ 7,000.- Baht/Month. ($220.00 Aussie) 0r casual daily rate of $15.50 per night. If you are planning longer than two weeks you are better to take the monthly rate. Remember Asia does not do the “per person” SCAM.....

May be able to explore Udon a little today, not sure, we will see how it goes...
Thursday July 31^st 2008 Udon Thani to Baan Don Khun Ta (Bus, Tuk-tuk and Trike)
Approx. 21.30k's Average Speed 19.32kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 06Min. Max speed. 31kph Max temp 34°C
Terrain: Undulating Road Conditions: Good Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.
Torrential rain and the fact that it was night time, meant we left our bikes in Bua Yai, We will go tomorrow and cycle back. Instead of the train we caught the local bus... A bad decision... It took longer – long waiting times at various stops, two changes of bus plus one “Tuk Tuk”. Marginal savings – about $0.60c each.

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