The past three days have been spent: waking up at 5.30 a.m.; oats & soy milk for brekkie; on the bike by 7 a.m.,; pedalling methodically; taking about 3 snack, drink and stretch breaks; reaching the next town before the sun begins to become unbearable around midday.
Bang Saphan- Prachuap Khiri Khan- Hua Hin were the three main stops of the past three days. The first day was spent meandering along coastal roads, huge stretches of beach which are absolutely stunning, monkey sanctuaries (though the monkeys were no where to be seen…?) and being chased by my first vicious dogs! Over the three days I seem to have developed a new vocal expression, or rather shout, which appears to surprise and stun chasing dogs, who once they hear my shout instantly look ashamed of what they’re doing and retrace their steps. Needless to day, I have recieved weird looks from people who watch me do this!
Noi, a Thai girl who works in a local guesthouse, offered for me to camp by her house just outside Bang Saphan. Her ‘boyfriend’ collected us from town in a pick up truck after having collected about 15 men from work (pick up trucks do rounds to drive people to and from work, as a job). The bike was wedged between the men, as Noi and myself hopped into the cool, airconditioned drivers compartment. Turning off the main road, onto dust trails, surrouded by a wild jungle of greenery we wound our way to Noi’s home. As things go in these parts, grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren all live under the same roof. I never quite understood who was related to who, but the house was crowded. After a refreshing shower, I was submitted by the women of the house to a series of ‘most frequently asked questions’: how old are you? Are you married? Do you have babies?; while the men sipped on beer and took bets on my age.
After sleeping like a baby, I had trouble finding weaving my way out from Noi’s neighbourhood, for the lush surrounding environment appearsed to be pretty much the same everywhere! This experience reminded me of numerous conversations shared with the Revolution Cycle Team boys in South America, where we attempted to grasp reading and understanding different landscapes. We are so used to and conditioned to having street names, written direction and noticeable, name-able landmarks; that when faced with natural landmarks, it become much more difficult for us to identify and master direction. This was certainly the case that morning! Thankfully a couple on a motorcycle were able to direct me out of green maze.
Prachuap Kiri Khan turned out to be an unexpected gem. It is a small and calm fishing village, overlooking the sea. A beautiful monastery built on a natural rock formation, towers of the town; and surrounding this monastery are the most amount of monkeys I have ever seen!! Warnings of monkey attacks are posted everywhere, it seems as though the key thing is: don’t carry food! Given that my clothes currently smell like food (yes, clothes maintenance and general hygiene are difficult to prioritise on such a trip), I kept a safe distance but thoroughly enjoyed watching them monkey-around;)
Arriving in Hua Hin, the St Tropez of Thailand (it seems) yesterday was so rewarding. I was completely exhausted and dehydrated after pushing through three days straight; but was truly compensated by being welcomed by Kees and Jan-Erik, old friends from home =) After being treated to a delicious seafood meal over looking the sea, a deep tissue Thai massage by Kees’ neighbour, snuggling up in a comfy couch to watch a chilled out dvd, playing nintendo wii, and being introduced to Kees’ home ‘extension’ (pub down the road), I literally collapsed into a deep slumber.
