Just like different countries have different interpretations of being "on time", they also have different measures of physical challenges. Of course when you have a group of 18 people, it can be like herding cats and everyone has different skill levels at different tasks.
Today's ride was on not so new bikes (we had brand new Treks in Cambodia) and it was nice and easy at first. We cruised across a damn and along fields where rice paddies were being picked (it's rice harvest season right across the region). The work involved is quite tedious and back breaking and it is amazing just how strong the farmers are regardless of age.
As we pass by the fields we turn off-road and so begins the adventure for the day. The riding isn't the challenge today, it's more dodging the thorns! I got a shin full before the second pit stop and stood with my cycle glove to my mouth as Jenn started plucking out the thorns. Back on the off-road we're whizzing along until we're told to dismount and walk our bike through this little bit. This little bit was about 500m of dense muddy growth. On the other side of it we get a little rest, pluck a few more thorns and once we're watered head off again.
This is where the entertainment starts. Ian hits a covered pot hole 100m down the trail and flips landing on his head - Helmets are a good thing! Once we know he is ok, we all have a bit of a giggle and marvel at his acrobatics just as Simon throws his chain. This is no ordinary throw though, it was wrapped around spokes and all over the place. It took about 20-30 mins to fix but by this stage there were 4 of them at the back with me at the edge of a thorny cane field waiting to tell them to stay right and watch the thorns. At first I was standing in the shelter/shade of the cane then I remembered snakes and I was out of there as fast as I could. When they came down I was a woman on a mission to avoid both thorns and snakes. Success!
We rejoined the group and carried onto a smaller temple and again after a quick drink we were off again this time to a much bigger temple. Unlike Cambodia, these ones were all current/in use temples and painted amazing colours with millions of amazing small shiny tiles detailing each intricately patterned section. We also paused for one minute's silence as today was Rememberance Day back home. This particular temple had 2 pagodas, one decorated with the traditional dragons/snakes and one decorated with a Burmese influence of Angels at the entrance.
Once we left we were only about 1km away from the end of our ride but we didn't know it. We turned across the front of an amazingly perfect little bungalo resort and I said to Connie "Why can't we stop at a place like this! How gorgeous is it?". There were rice fields planted up to the fence line with an unobstructed view to the mountains with a lovely blue pool and sweet little cottages. No more than 20seconds later we came over a small rise to find this is where we were stopping for lunch and to shower and change for the airport. It was simply divine and I am looking forward already to going back.
After lunch we bid the team from Thailand a fond farewell and jumped on the bus to the airport.
Thailand done!
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