After a fulfilling breakfast buffet (complimentary from the
Garden Hotel that we stayed last night – B580), we started our ride at
approximately 8.15am. Before that, I
copied all towns names on a masking tape and pasted it on DREAM’s tank.
Hadi: What is that for?
Me: I cant read the map with my lenses on, the words are too
small.
Hadi: What speed will we be riding?
Me: About 100kmh.
Hadi: At that speed, do u think u can look down and read
whats written on the masking tape?
Me: May be.
Hadi: Why must u list all the small towns?
Me: I’m listing it to make sure we are following the correct
route.
Hadi: Is that necessary? It’s the bigger towns which are
important.
Me: I think it is necessary.
Hadi: I have been riding as long as I can rmbr and I never do
what u are doing. Now u are changing the menu. Ok, we shall see.
First, we followed route 4 from Danok, bypassing Hadyai. The
road condition at certain parts were ok, but at some other parts were bad. I
have to focus on the road as to keep the bike’s balance and to avoid holes.
Hadi was right. At the speed of 100kmh and in this kind of road condition, I cant
even look down to read what I have written. Okey sifu, lesson learnt.
As today is Sunday, there were not many traffic on the road.
It was a smooth ride (apart from the uneven road and holes). The highway
changed from route 4 to 43, and back to route 4 again. It started to drizzle
when we arrived Patthalung, but we continued on riding, only stopping for fuel
and toilet. The fuel price here differed from company to company. For example, PTT
sell RON95 for B35.50 while Shell for B37.10. Fuel is expensive here in Thailand
so Hadi said not to waste it by letting the engine running idle.
The highway route number change to 41 as we aimed for Nakhon
si Thammarat, and later Surat Thani. The rain didn’t seem will stop. Rain or
dry, Hadi maintained the 100kmh speed. There were times that I was left behind,
but not for long as I managed to catch up. I felt good when I managed to catch
up with him. Even though raining, I was enjoying the ride and the beautiful
paddy field and hilly views. After Chumphon, the route number changed to 4
again. The rain became heavier. We stopped to put on our rain coat. I was very
pleased that the Givi rain coat really keeps me dry. So did the Daytona boots
that I wore. However, after many hours under the pouring rain plus the strong
wind, I started to feel cold. I was shivering while riding. When we arrived
Parachuap Khiri Khan, Hadi asked me if I want to continue? We had been riding
for 650kms, after more than 9 hours. I said yes. We have targeted Hua Hin, so
the target must be accomplished. It gets dark very soon after that, and out of
a sudden, the highway was jammed packed with vehicles, especially lorries. The
lorry drivers in Thailand
were so much brutal compared to in Malaysia.
They dominant the right lane and refuse to give way. As it was dark, the road
condition was bad and I have troubles with my dusty lenses which hurt my iris,
I missed Hadi. Thank god that after 20minutes or so, I found him waiting by the
road side. I was by this time very tired already and my eyes hurt so bad. We finally
arrived Hua Hin at 8.30pm after
riding for 12 hours and 15 minutes. It was a hell tiring ride for me that I had
no energy even to double stand my bike.
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