Samut Sakhorn to Chumphon
Written by Sarah Whitcher Monday, 12 October 2009 11:44
We have worked out that we cycled approx. 80km on our second stage of our tour, to which a seasoned cyclist would think nothing of but we both felt it was a great distance! We started off from Samut Sakhorn and cycled to Petchaburi taking the scenic route. And so after this epic start to our bike tour of thailand we decided to take a days rest in Petchaburi. We found some basic accommodation late at night and set up camp there for two nights. It wasn't until we started to unpack that Richard had found out that he had left his bike lock by the side of the road where we had changed shirts about 20km outside Ban Laem (30km distance from Petchaburi). So he spent 3 hours getting back to the spot to retrieve it. He started out from Petchaburi by Songtaw (a bus of sorts), then took a taxi moped from Ban Laem then was told after 5km that the moped will not go further and so he was left there and started walking and managed to get on another Songtaw on its way to Samut Songkhram. He eventually found the lock, had a few moments of rejoicing then set about on his return journey by thumbing a lift, he was picked up by a family and taken back to Ban Laem then was given a lift by a guy on his moped back to Petchaburi. Needless to say I would like to think that he will remember this and will try hard not to forget stuff again.
So after a day of rest we then thought that it would be nice if we took a train down through a big chunk of the East coast due to lack of quiet roads. So we booked us and our bikes and luggage on the 18.15 train to 'Chumphon'. We arrived early and sat patiently waiting for the train. We were sat eating some yummy food when we noticed something small and furry scrambling along the platform. At first we thought it was a mouse then we noticed it had no tail and realised that it was a 'Hamster'!!!. Then from a box stacked up nearby we saw another little furry hamster plop out onto the floor and start to run around relishing in its new found freedom. We got up and went to the box to find that there on the platform next to us was a whole load of boxes full of hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits. Obviously they were all off to pet stores and I am happy to say that they all looked in very good condition and they had plenty of room in the cardboard boxes. Richard went and retrieved one of the escapees and I the other who had sprinted off down the platform and was hopping over the rails of the track. I managed to grab the little critter before he could come to harm and turned to see that Richard had a new pal that was more than satisfied to be safe in Richards breast pocket of his shirt and was busy looking around and taking it all in. I am sure that if I had given the O.K that we would be the proud owners of the escapee hamsters but not at all practical whilst we are travelling by bike so we returned them to their temporary home and secured the escape hole.The train arrived at 19.45, which is apparently quite commonplace to be so late, and we got us and our bikes on for a five hour journey. We had gone 3rd class in an effort to save some money and so the conditions were cramped and a bit stinky from the engine fumes. But we coped and again were shown why the Thais are renowned for their hospitality and friendliness. We were given food and the girl who was sat next to us a had another little furry critter as a pet and fed it often with a small syringe of milk. We both held it and we think it may have been a baby flying squirrel or something similar (we will Wiki it when we can). The pet was taking the journey in a Louis Voutton handbag that was stuffed with shredded paper as its bed!
We were also given a heads up by our new friends and fellow travellers when we were getting close to Chumphon train station as there are no such announcements on the train. When it pulled up we were then in a mad rush to get our bikes off at the front of the train before it started to move off.We are now staying in a lovely guest house called 'Suda's' who has raving reviews on Lonely Planet and we can see why. The rooms are spotless and she speaks perfect English and is so helpful, so we are staying put here for two nights. And now Richard has come down with a cold and so we will wait and see when we start off again on our big adventure.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
