Leaving Thailand

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Hat Yai, Thailand

It was all a bit fraught leaving Koh Phi Phi, because I had stayed an extra day I'm going to have to think of how to cross the border in time but the ferry to Koh Lanta doesn’t leave until 11am plus I really picked the wrong route. From Koh Lanta I need to get another 2 car ferries back towards Krabi direction before I can head south which means I’m not going to make it but I’ll try the best I can.

My bike was secure on the ferry but I was really paranoid as there were no sides where they tied it only the back rail they tied it onto which meant I spent the whole journey watching it as the sea got choppier and we were getting more tossed about. Thankfully no mishaps and I’m glad to say it came safely off the other side to Koh Lanta, and one of my first comments as 'taxi madam, good price’ to which not only the me but the taxi driver and several people within earshot burst out laughing at… ha ha ha I wish!

So I set off and managed to find my first car ferry which took me from Koh Lanta Yai to Koh Klang (I think), I then had to cross the island and board another ferry back to the mainland cycling north instead of south which wasn’t what I needed. As it’s out of season Koh Lanta’s ferry to Langkawi isn’t running so it means I have to do some thinking to how to get south. Unfortunately between all the ferries I didn’t make it to Trang which means I just need to go with it another day and see where I end up. I think I stayed somewhere around Sai Khao, a massive hailstorm stopped me dead in my tracks but it was 5:30 anyway.

Next day I head towards Trang via Pak Meng which I though may have been another ferry route saving me a day but again, not running! It was a tough old day and by the time I got through Trang the road works were horrendous so much so that I managed to stop a bus going to Hat Yai and jumped on board, it’s the only way I’ll make it over the border in time but I’m annoyed at my bad planning those last few days. After I got off the bus I just started cycling for the border which I need to cross the next day so anything to get me there as timely as possible in case I run into any problems.

After a number of attempts I finally found somewhere to stay, I’m too tired to put the tent up which would add to my getting out time too, anything to help me out and actually the place was friendly, comfortable and reasonable which was the right decision to make. It’s been a tough journey from the Islands with a few unexpected problems and after a hard few days cycling I’m only around 50km away from the Malaysian border… phew.

So last day in Thailand, I manage to make the border by lunch time and I’m relieved its simply a stamp in job and I’m in. So after being really unsure about going back to Thailand I have to admit traveling through by bicycle was amazing, stunning, adventurous and lots of fun – I really had a great time and met so many lovely people both locals and tourist alike to share my time with which made it a fantastic experience.

So onto new cultures, currencies, language…. Oh no… this part takes some serious adjusting – I don’t even know where to buy my next bottle of water!

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2025-05-23

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