Phuket Tour: Day 2 (19th August 2012)

It was a good night sleep, in fact it was so comfortable that I overslept a bit. So after the rush to pack everything. I walked out of my room to one of the best morning view I have ever seen.

Magnificent view of  the Phu Khao Ok Thalu mountain as a backdrop.

The view so good that you have to take a photo with your bike.

The group photo before we leave for Trang.

After enjoying the morning view and the group photo, we headed out toward town to have breakfast. As we cycled out, we can see the beauty of the Phattalung town basking in morning sunshine, as it was pitch-dark black and couldn't see anything when we arrived late at night.

We ventured off from the main street and try our luck looking for breakfast. Thou we found a few places, we spotted one restaurant that sell my hometown's specialty: Bak Kut Teh (my hometown pork-brewed herbal soup). We simply have to try it out and see how it taste like.

The shop also sell Dim-Sum variety as well, but we didn't try it out. Colourful presentation though.

As I thought the Bak Kut Teh was cooked in Hokkien style due to the dark-sauce soup, the taste were actually closer to Cantonese style as it taste more herbal (compare to Hokkien's salty style). Though I'm quite used to my hometown style, I'm enjoying every bit of my breakfast.

There's no way we can escape from 7-11....

After breakfast, we explored the town a bit before we hit the road to Trang. But before that we have to stopped at our favourite chain-stores for refuel (and they are basically everywhere!!!).

Our second day, we only have to cycle about 75km to reach Trang, but not before climbing through Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range, and hill climbs are not my favourite.....

My country should have more of those sign.....

There is nothing interesting to see during the first 19km journey since we left the town of Phattalung, except for few shops selling souvenir, fruit and refreshment. So at the next regroup point, we decided to detour at one of the junction to check out Phudakodom Cave and Khao Kram Waterfall, since we have time to spare.

Good thing about touring in Thailand is that since tourism is one of main contributor to Thailand economy, tourist sign have been put up to ensure that tourist like us can find and understand the places of interest easily.



We stopped by the Putta Khodom Cave first. We parked our bikes at the open compound, and the place look empty. Few minutes of loitering around and then a monk appear from the house. Had a conversation for a while before the monk lead us into the cave temple.




It was my first time visiting the Thai cave temple, so I have very little idea what to expect it. Though there will be plenty of Buddha statue...

Since it is hard to explain in words how big the cave really is.... so I thought I compiled a video to show the big network of the cave.



After finish exploring the cave, we made a donation. Took a short break before heading our way to the waterfall.



The village road is certainly more quiet and more scenic than the highway we have been using.



After cycling for some time, I finally spot the sign that will lead us to the Khao Kram waterfall. Oh yes... after enduring the hot weather today, we are sure looking forward to dip into the cooling water. But first we have to make our way up.



In the midway, we stumbled an unusual sight. A group of villages were cleaning and chopping pig carcass into smaller pieces. Not sure if the villagers living beyond the stream will drink the blood-filled river water.



Fortunately for us it was not a gruesome climb as I fear, and soon we stopped by a hut, parked our bikes, then we headed to the waterfall.

There was some local villagers at the gathering area but they were leaving, so we have the whole place for ourselves.

[put video]

After the nice soaking in the cooling water that feel like eternity, sadly we have to move on. By the time we are leaving, it is approaching noon and we have to return back to the main road and look for lunch.

The front group spotted an eatery and went for it. Just in time to hide from the afternoon burning sun.

My lunch: Fried rice and fried egg.... very delicious....

After the quick lunch, we cycled some distance in flat, and soon came the sight of the climb which i feared. And to make matter worse, there was road-work ongoing and the road shoulder have been dug up for widening, so we have only so much space to share with the traffic.

Despite the lack of shoulder & very narrow road, the drivers were very careful when they tried to overtake us, except for some large-size vehicles, they only overtook us when there is no traffic on the opposite lane. Very appreciate of their thoughtfulness.

After some time, we reached the peak of the climb, and there is a rest-stop and I pretty sure my friends will take refuge from the hot hot sun. Truly enough they were already sipping very cold drink.

After a long rest, it was time to go downhill. As expected, the road was still very narrow and I have to be mindful not to veer outward, especially when I using 20" wheel which have less stability at high speed than it's bigger brethren.

After the downhill, I was cycling along when a truck drive side by side with me. Inside the truck was a couple, which I presume they are the cyclists as I could see their bike on the back of the truck. They sparked a conversation with me, asking me where I'm from, heading where, and ask me if I want to hitch a ride. I courtnesy and turn down their offer, thank them anyway and wish us luck before driving off.

Soon after passing the sign welcoming us to Trang. And we came across one of the significant hotel that looked like a cruiser ship! What a sight indeed.

Coincidentally Aaron got a flat, and not only he had to change his spare tube, he also changing his balding tyre as well. So more time to admire the design of the hotel.

After Aaron finished fixing, we cycled into Trang town.Compare to the Phattalung town we arrived yesterday, the traffic were more busy. And again we have to depend on the GPS to look for suitable hotels. Thou I have plan to meet up with my friend who have checked in earlier in the day, I kinda miss the road and we end up to one grand-looking hotel, and they decided to check it out anyway.

Newly-renovated hotel with spacious room at a reasonable rate. And most importantly we can roll our bikes into our room make the deals sweeter.

During our rest, I received a call from my friends and agreed to meet up. Gave him my hotel GPS location and soon he arrived with his touring partner and we discussed about our adventures, our routes and options. Nice meeting up..

Dinner time came, and we assembled at the lobby and we cycled out to the night market we spotted when we passed past earlier.

People mountain people sea...

The dog whom sit in the middle of the road but everyone walk around it...

Colourful takeaway...

Sweet drink with "extra".....

BBQ chicken stick... very yummy....

Best Large BBQ Squid I ever ate. Ripe on the outside, juicy on the inside!

After visiting the night market to sample some of the best street food they have to offer, a few of us decided to go for dinner. A short ride to a Chinese restaurants and we ordered some usual dishes, including Thailand's signature dish... a Tom Yam soup.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for an early night. Riding to Krabi will be the longest with the estimated distance of 133km. And I would like to reach there as early as possible so we have more time to explore on the most happening town in the southern part of Thailand.

View the Photo Album here

Ride data of Day 2:
Distance: 79.5km
Average Moving Speed: 15km/hr
Max Speed: 47km/hr
Total time taken: 10h16m