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 Thailand bicycle tour 2002 offline version Copyright 2002: René Maassen rene_maassen@zonnet.nl
02). The first aim is Bangkok and a few old city's along the way.
03). The scenery in North Thailand. Day
workers harvest the second rice this year by hand.
Everybody, eveybody, waves and shouts enthoustiastic
"Saa Waa Die!" (hello) 04). An old wat (temple) in Chiang Mai.
We visit many wats in Thailand, but wat-saturnation sets
in fast. Most old wats are 'restored' with modern
materials. A lot of gold coloured paint and mirror chips
too. 05). We book a 'trek': 3 days walking
through the mountains near Pai. This is the border region
with Myanmar (Golden Triangle) and guess what: friendly
pretty people: no problem. Our trip is partly by
elephant, partly by raft. 06). These are the so called Indian
elephants and those are small compared to the African
elephant. We think they are huge: what a funny and smart
animals! (Picture: Winkeler Prins
encyclopedie) 07). The elephants bath first. A thing
they clearly don't dislike! 08). Just great, such an elephant (we
want one too). The jungle walk is very pretty. 09). We sleep in a Karen villiage. This
minority originates from Myanmar. This woman spawns thin
bamboe strips for the construction of our bamboe raft.
It's nice weather in the daytime, a little cool at night
(it's November in the Northern mountains). 10). We float down the river, back to
the road and it's pretty again! The raft takes the major
part of the day and it's pristine jungle in abundance. 11). A woman from the Akah minority. 12). Back in Chiang Mai. Op top of the
mountain is a pretty wat.
13). On December 1th we bicycle out of
Chiang Mai. On our way out, we visit this 'wat Chedi
Luang' that is partly collapsed by an earthquake.
Frankly, we think this wat is prettier, because most
other old wats are restored in an non-original way. 14). A hour out of town, along the
small river to Lamphun, is this 'wat Chedi Liam'. This
one has a different style from most other Thai wats. We
think this one is more pretty than the tourist invested
places in Chiang Mai. 15). At an elephant training centre is
an open day. This Thai family is dressed at their best.
We camp there in our micro tent, that we've bought in
Thailand. We're happy that we have a micro campset again. 16). A trip over a jungle trail,
because we want to avoid the main road. It's sticky warm,
pretty and green in abundance. All Thai are friendly and
pretty smiling people. The Boeddhism delivers the most
peaceful people. 17). On December 6th 2001 we steer our
bicycles to Si Satchanalai: an old abandened capital of
old-Thailand. In total we would visit 4 such old city's,
but this one would be the prettiest. We go very early and
are alone. It's partly overgrown, partly cleared, partly
but good restored: all is just right! 18). On December 9th 2001 we roll our
bicycles to nearby Sukothai: such an old town too. The
market is fun. These lady's frie pingeon eggs. Small
eggs, Great taste! 10 micro ommelettes for 10 Baht (25
Eurocent) 19). A pretty picture from Old
Sukothai. From a distance, that is. Because we think this
old city is a misser. Eveything is cemented much to
pretty with much to many new concrete. The site is wired
all over for the tourist light show; Cola and ice shops
all over; a too pretty and non-original garden. All lanes
are zigzagged by busses, motorbikes, cars and mopeds. Not
our idea of a historical park, it's more a funpark. A
misser. 20). We have survived the bussy Bangkok
traffic and thick smog and have taken residence in a
budget guesthouse. Here we visit the (former) royal
palace. 21). In Bangkok we vist among many
things, the golden Boeddha too. Very impressive. Outside
(but in the temple complex) stands this circus: not so
pretty. In the slotmachines you can trow a coin. An
electronic Boeddha then points a number. Next, pick up
your 'personal' future forecast with the same number. If
Boeddha was here, he would overturn these tables of the
money changers! 22). China town in Bangkok: fun! 23). In the royal palace is this huge
(44 meter, 145 feet, including this foot) reclining
Boeddha. 24). On December 25th 2001 we bicycle
out of Bangkok: on the road to Singapore! It's busy, but
OK. The first weeks we'll have a powerfull tail wind. 25). Along the coastline, people winn
salt by evaporating sea water. The salt remains and is
collected. This is hard work in this heat of 34 C (95 F).
This kind of labour pays 2 Euro and 50 cents per day in
Thailand. 26). On December 30th we are taken for
a daytrip by 'Som' ("Mandarin") and 'Chucheep'
with their car to the giant waterfall in a natural
reserve. They buy us a delicious fish diner too. Kab koen
krab ("Thank you politely!"). We camp on the
beach. 27). Now we pass regulairly nice camp
spots on the beach. It's new years day 2002: a nice camp
spot, a nice beach, good local food eatery, nice folks
and no touristst: fine! 28). Along the coast is just 1 main
road, most of the time. Safe, but not so nice for
cycling. But sometimes, like here, there is a local road.
That's fun again! 29) This 'coconut bay' could very well
have been Thailands prettiest camp spot on January 7th
2002. Pretty bay, nice swimming, sun and shadow, no
tourists. It's one one the last bays in Thailand that is
untouched by concrete development. 30). We cross over to the west coast.
We avoid tourist trap Phuket. We will hop via many
islands (not all are on this map) to Malaysia. 31). On January 16th 2002 we rent our
own long tail boat from Phang Nga to take us to the
island Ko Mak Noi. An island without touristic
facilities, that's why nobody goes there. Because we
camp. that's no problem for us. The bicycles are on
board. 32). The coastal landscape is so
special and pretty here! 33). Our rented boat passes 'James Bond
island' too. A scene from 'The man with the golden
gun" was recorded here. The whole tourist circus is
therefore here too, including lots a plastic souvenir
crap too. We leave quicly. 34). We camp a few days on Ko Mai Noi,
on the North coast (shadow!). Outside the local (Moslim)
fishermen and us, the island is free from tourists and
concrete. The sea here is not nice for swimming and the
island is full with stray plastic polution. 35). Op January 25 th 2002 we roll our
bicycles into Krabi. In Thailand we eat great pineapples
every day. This is the local market pineapple cutter. 36). On February 3th 2002 the
impossible happens: we meet Kami-san and Hana-san again
(see Japan
photo book). They are here too on the bicycle and
it's a cozy reunion. Sayonara tomodachi! Mate ne! By boat we go to the protected nature
reserve on Ko Tarutao. This is the last island of
Thailand and it's the last island where the concrete
hasn't landed yet (but construction is starting!). We
camp lovely and quiet on this (almost) pristine island.
Because of the minimal facilities there are almost no
tourists: perfect! 37). Adam and Eva in the paradise. We
walk through the jungle to the water fall. We are alone
and swim and sun bath for hours in our birth clothes.
Top! 38). We walk through the jungle to the
southern point of Ko Tarutao. A pretty but sticky walk of
5 hours. We walk back the next day. 39). In this jungle are huge leaves. Eva is dressed in such a giant leave here.
In the past three months in
Thailand we have seen many pretty things and sweet
peaceful people. Thailand is however full with western
fascilities and even more with fun-seeking western
tourists. That combined with the unplanned development is
this country leads to scenery destruction on a grand
scale. The money of the short holliday fun seekers
demands luxuary fascilities and the whole coastline is
crammed with it. That's allright ofcourse, there is a
choice for everyone. Thailand was nice for this bicycle
visit. It's friendly, easy, cheap and safe. It is hard to
find something original. For that you need a bicycle,
between and (far) outside the tourist centres. There it's
pretty.
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