Monday 3rd December

Day two began way way too early for me, as I woke up at 4am, almost unthinkable for me. I just couldn’t get back to sleep, and so was out for a walk by about 5.30 longing for breakfast to come around. Thankfully by 6.30 it did, and thankfully too the idyllic locaction of the Putahracsa Hotel in Hua Hin was rather a splendid place to be anyway, so ‘musn’t grumble’ as they say.

Following breakfast, all packed up and ready to go for day two, we were met by Esso and Suwat at reception in the hotel at 8, and thankfully they had a replacement bike for me. The one I had yesterday, with a 50cm frame, just wasn’t going to cut it, and this was much better, at 54cm. I thanked them gratefully for sorting this out for me without fuss, and so credit goes to the Spiceroads team for doing this, and everything all week in fact, so seamlessly and easily.

We set off through the busy streets of Hua Hin, and after a stop to try to purchase some new pedals for Dirk at what proved to be the the most ignorant shop owner’s premises I have ever come across (we hence did not buy any pedals), we were on our way. The weather was again cloudless and very hot.

Here are some photos from the day’s ride:

Taking a break by the Gulf of Thailand

Cycling down towards the sea, the Gulf was always as calm as this.

Thai fishing boats from a bridge over the river.

I didn’t stop to either feed it or find out what sort of monkey it might be……

Lunchtime came along and all of a sudden we found ourselves literally right on the beach for a fantastic lunch at such a glorious location. I just didn’t want to leave, ever:

Our table for lunch, not a bad spot I’d say

And the food was fantastic too – this was flaked deep fried fish – delicious.

In the afternoon on our way down towards Prachuap Khiri Khan the ride was great, and varied, if still pretty flat. We did get caught up in a strange bunch of cows at one time too:

Just as the scenery starts getting a bit more varied……

……some very very odd cows came and stared us out!

Eventually we came close to our destination, and then were halted once more by animals! This time it was monkeys, not sure which type, but the main road was literally covered with them, and we had to wait until they headed back to their roost:

Entering Prachuap Khiri Khan – this time monkeys stop play!!

Upon getting into town finally we came upon the somewhat dilapidated hotel called the Hadthong. It was probably great in 1956 or so, but am not sure much had been done to it since that time. Still the views from my balcony were absolutely to die for:

The Hadthong Hotel, balcony view over the Gulf of Thailand.

Not entirely sure what to make of some of the contents of the mini bar though – clearly the last two items weren’t meant for Westerners, whatever they were!

So there we were, our first full day’s cycling had been so eventful. We were out for seven and a half hours, although we only cycled for about four and a half, and covered 71 miles. We’d got to see so many things, and so much beauty – the Gulf of Thailand is just incredible.

Here are the day’s stats from my Garmin:

http://app.strava.com/activities/30724809

In the evening after another delicious meal at a beachside cafe we got to do another walk around the local market. This time we were the only westerners around, and so it was even more interesting to see the sights and sounds of the real Thailand. Tomorrow would be a straight shot down the coast again to a place called Ban Krut, where we would spend a day and a half as the fourth day is officially designated a rest day. Hope it’s a great place to chill out………