25 March 2013

Ride to Rajapraba dam and Koh Lanta

Its been 4 months since the last cross border ride, also this is the first ride of  2013 for me. So a ride to the south of Thailand was planned. The problem is ....we are running out of places to ride to in the south. Except the states with the internal conflict, we have ridden to almost all the regular places. So within a distance of 1000km we have to find new places for our regular  short 4 day ride.
Thanks to a fellow rider at Versys proboards we got to know of a really nice place.
On the bike !!!

** all the clear on the bike shots are by Han 
Not so clear by Go -Pro

Day 1

Today we are riding almost 900km


Big boss sudah sampai  :-P
We started at 5am


A short break around 7am


Soon we were in Gurun for the paperwork



Met some fellow riders. 
This particular bike has been places.
Check the exhaust out.


A stop at our usual place after crossing the border


Riding in Thailand



Mainly straights with some curves..




Love these roads


A short shower  to cool us off


Dry roads again



We never hurry


Just maintain a consistent speed


Take regular breaks...




And enjoy the road..


Even with a relaxed pace...


we still planned to reach early...



And check out the place.


We didn't book a hotel here...



As this place is mainly a local spot...




That there is not much info on hotels...



And what little there is ...



Is all in Thai..



By word of mouth we know there are hotels...


But we have to find them.  :-)



Its already evening here...



Riding west...



We're close...




Here we are :-)




Kampung roads...



We kept a look out for lodging


Nice huh  





We wanted a hotel as close to the pier as possible


Its around 5pm there


We're on time....


So we get to explore a bit


Welcome to the Guilin of Thailand



We're almost there



Welcome to Rajaprabha Dam.
Surathani..







Beautiful views




All around us




A short break to savour the views




An imprint it in our memory




Nice huh


Look at that la...




We are actually on the dam proper



And stopped further ahead because of the views 





Nice huh...





After 900 +  km ,......Yes!!!



On the bike...


Time to look for a hotel...


We had 3 saved in the GPS


Again we stopped for the views



So cool




Dusky Black FJR and Red Versys at Rajaprabha Dam  :-)


Beautiful Huh



A last look


And off we go





Reached the harbour for tomorrows reference


Later we would find out ,its the wrong harbour




Looking for the hotel


We went to 3, but all were closed. There were a few at the road entrance but its about 15km away.
Stopped to ask this guy for directions. As usual Thai people are really nice. 
He got into his pick up and guided us to the nearest one.
Kap Khun Krap.



After 900+km and leaving at 5am .Finally :-)





Nice room


Went out for dinner at the only restaurant nearby where i DID NOT try this  :-P
ha ha ha


Here



Been a long but fulfilling day.



Day 2


What a view in the morning




True blue


Our babies


After breakfast at the same place. We rode the the correct pier.


Bought our tickets , didn't get overcharged as we did our homework beforehand- They tried !


Our next ride ..


Batman lives here...........look carefully



On the boat  :-)




We could have shared the boat with others....



Then we can't move around



Every where you look....

Its gorgeous




Reminds me of the New Zealand...



And Omani ....


Fjords...



Look at that water...






Huge limestone cliffs .....



Right next to the water.


look at the color



This place is known as the Guilin of Thailand




with good reason...


Nice huh...




We're coming to the main cove...




When the sun hits the water...green :-)




Karst mountains 



This is the best part...



Really nice huh...





Threading through...


You can snorkle  here



Rich green   






self portrait time


The far bank zoomed in



Headed there



The 3 sisters...



We went around...


Where the view was so much better


Success :-)





After reaching the main site...






We took a slow ride back



This was a great experience


We saw this on the way in



So we went to check it out


The hotel on the water...


Rickety...


Lobby, restaurant, Toilets .....



But the view.....




On the boat again



Hmmmmmmmm   familiar sticker    :-P


Reached back, on the bike, and back to the hotel.




A quick stop to appreciate the view.


Bathe ,change, check out, and on the bike...


We were on the road by 2pm


Leaving Khao Sok national park



Nice huh



Stretching my legs  :-)



Today we ride about 230km only



Through village roads....




And freeways...


Thats me in the distance. 
Was having so much fun on the great roads ,that i looked down and saw the needle at the 200+ mark  :-)


Kilometers and kilometers of straights.


Gunning it again  ....ha ha


Back on the normal highways


Nice views.


Fuel for the bike and us.


Soon we hit the first ferry 



Waiting to board.



On board.



A nice 10 min ride.



Panas ke boss  :-P


Finally :-)


On Koh Lanta Noi


Took the second ferry to Koh Lanta Yai


Mainly farms and residential areas


Reached the hotel. Bath ,change, and now dinner by the beach


Our table :-)



Day 3

Today is a free day after all that riding.
The white car is our ride for today.



Streets of Lanta



7 seater ,looks small huh 


We stopped at the pier first




This is where you get the ferry to Phuket or Krabi


Passenger ferry




Restaurants along the water.



How many crabs do you see ?





Soon its back on the road.




Map of both the Lantas


If you are a problem child you get sent here :-p


our second stop



Mangrove walk...



Not much on this island so.........


You can go for a river cruise.




no thanks !


Nice view though




Restaurant and fish breeder



From there we went to the old town.




Its population is mainly Chinese descendants




Reminds me a lot of Malacca






Time to hit another pier.








Its a long way from shore.


View of the old town



We're heading there next.


Nice boat


imagine sailing the world in that...



On the Taxi


To our next destination


The sea gypsy village


Their life centres around the sea......duh


Houses by the water.



Tools of the trade



Parking next to home :-)





We didn't want to be intrusive so we didn't stay long



Next was here.




For lunch with a view...



And what a view !!


Finally we hit the southern tip



This is going to be picture intensive



Because of the weather...


Surroundings .....





And views :-)





We decided to climb to the top 


Views along the way


There is 2 beaches on either side of the tip



On the slipper .....



The rocky beach


and the sandy one...


Look at that water...


Is hot  .....


Not many visitors


Amazing color



Both sides


Both beaches



Around the lighthouse.



Beautiful




Everywhere you look




Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm



At the top :-)



What a view.






Ha ha ha  kantoi



Innocent look  :-P


Memories...


Time to go





See that  .....



Ha ha ha


Back in the main town-Sala Dan




Yummy


So we had seconds...


Eat ,massage ,sleep.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Day 4


Today we are going to ride directly home.About 900km.So we woke up early, had breakfast in the room. then......on the bike.


Leaving the hotel around 7am



Deserted streets....




We left early not for the distance...


But cause there are 2 ferry crossings...


And a couple of hundred kms of old roads before the freeway




Nice and quiet



At the ferry





on the boat  :-P




Back on the bike...




Riding in Koh Lanta Noi



One more ferry




There...





A bigger one this time



Back on the mainland



Into the sun


A short break here



Near Krabi



Soon we hit the freeway and then it was straight to the border.


Stamped out and back in to Malaysia


It was a great ride and we got to explore new and wonderful places.
More to come.
Cheers