2014 4-Nation Ride: 11 Udon Thani - Bangkok

"Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out..."

(Interesting signage at the hotel lobby)

Date: 21 December 2014 (Monday)
Route: Udon Thani - Bangkok
Distance: 581 km
Hotel: Astera Sathorn Hotel

This morning we packed our things early and had a hearty breakfast at the hotel cafe.

(A group photo as usual)

(Riding into the sun)

(Riding south towards Saraburi)

After fixing the GTR flat tyre, we started our journey towards the south heading to Bangkok taking the Highway 2. On the way we stopped twice at PTTs for refueling and a short rest at Cafe Amazon.

(This looks like the real Amazon)

(Checking tyre pressure before continue riding)

The sun was bright and the weather was cool all the way until we approached the suburbs of Bangkok when it started to get warmer, humid and dusty. The traffic started to get heavier when we approached Saraburi and it was a slow ride and very challenging, tiring and slow to maneuver our big motorbikes in between vehicles.

(Riding into the evening sun)

(The clouds partially covering the sun)

Once we entered the Bangkok suburbs, we took an alternative route to the center of town avoiding the elevated tolled highway. In Bangkok, motorcycles and lorries are prohibited to use the tolled highway.

(Weaving in and out of slow moving traffic, cautiously)

(Taking the longer alternative route)

(Passing through the many traffic lights)

(Be careful of tourists on bicycles)

(The old Quwatul-Islam Mosque)

We have not performed our prayers and it was already late afternoon when we arrived at Masjid Quwatul-Islam. Later, with the assistance of a Thai policeman, our group was escorted to a Muslim Restaurant where we had our dinner which was again over ordered and with a lot of left-overs and wastages.

(Riding to our hotel passing the busy part of town)

(Arriving at Astara Sathorn Hotel)

(A cheerful clean cozy room)

After dinner, we went to the Tongtara Hotel but it was fully booked so we decided to check in Astera Sathorn Hotel instead. After settling down and a short rest, some of us walked a short distance to the Hotel Pier by the Menam Chow Phraya to take a free tourist shuttle boat to Asiatique the Riverfront. The boat ride takes only 10 minutes and the boat runs until 23:00hrs.

(Taking a free shuttle boat service to town)

(The view  from the shuttle boat)

(The view of Asiatique the Riverfront from the river)

(Visiting the night bazaar)

Asiatique the Riverfront is a large open-air night bazaar and a mall facing the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road with over 1500 boutiques and 40 restaurants housed under replica warehouse complex and only open from 17:00hrs. It is quite a happening and popular place for locals as well as tourists. From here we split ways. A few of us had an hour of strong foot massage and later took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel which cost us B150. The normal fare is only half the price.

Tonight we slept early and rested our tired body well.

   2014 Q3 4NR: 12 Bangkok – Chumphon, Thailand👉

👈2014 Q3 4NR: 10 Van Vieng, Laos - Udon Thani, Thailand