04 Couple Ride: Phetchabun - Phu Tubberk - Chai Nat

“Travel breaks down routines, monotony and brings back some adventure, excitement, and exploration to people’s lives…” 

(Drinking hot coffee @ Phu Tubberk peak)

Day 04: 10 Dec 2018 (Monday)
Route: Phetchabun - Phu Tubberk - Route 12 - Chai Nat
Distance: 441 km
Hotel: Fantasy Resort Chai Nat

Last night Ajilong/Sha arrived quite late and their room was earlier booked. From here on they will be riding with us.

This morning we rode out of town to have breakfast at Restoran Feeros. Some of us packed some food for lunch later. After refuelling we rode on highway 21 then highway 2372 to the highlands of Phu Tubberk, 95 km away from Petchabun. 

(The four cheerful pillion riders)

(A photo with the owner of Feeros Restaurant)

Phu Tubberk is situated at the western range and the highest point of the Phetchabun Mountains at 1,768 meters elevation. The peak rises 12 km west of Highway 203, between Loei town and Phetchabun town. Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is in the area around the mountain. Most of the mountain is covered in mixed evergreen forest and there are also some farms on its slopes where the climate conditions favor cabbage farming. The area around the mountain is part of the Luang Prabang mountain rain forests eco-region. The villagers at Phu Tubberk are the Hmong hill tribe from the northern part of Thailand. The mountain, originally home of Hmong people's settlements, has been overrun by holiday resorts, chalets and restaurants. 

(Some stretches are under repair)

(Phu Tubberk highlands from far)

(A new meeting place at the junction to Phu Tubberk)

(The start of a steep climb)

(The twisties and switch-back corners)

(Damaged roads caused by landslides)

The road leading to the peak is winding with a few switch-back corners. It is quite dangerous and slippery in the rainy season and bikers have to take extra caution. When we neared the peak, fog and clouds covered the top of the mountain making visibility poor. The weather was cool and fresh at the peak. There are many stalls selling vegetables, fruits and local souvenirs.

(Street vendor selling local honey)

(The produce from Phetchabun, sweet tamarind)

After a cup of coffee and photo shots, we rode downhill with care. At the foot of the hill we bought sweet tamarinds fruits from one of the many stalls along the road. Sweet tamarind or Makham Wan in Thai is only found in Phetchabun district or surrounding northern districts.

Sweet tamarind is a delicious dried fruit, the ripe meat is normally eaten straight from the pod, as a snack. If you travel through Phetchabun or other northern provinces like Loei, around this time of the year, you shouldn't miss out on trying fresh sweet tamarind sold in nets, plastic bags or per weight. It makes a practical snack, since it can be kept without refrigeration for many days.

(No entry to the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park)

(Fresh fruits and vegetables stalls along the route)

(Arriving at the fog-covered summit)

(Our 3rd riding trip here, cool air at the peak)

(Meeting brother bikers from Yala)

(Zero visibility of the valley)

(A glimpse of the valley and winding road)

(Simple tents perched on the hill slope)

From Phu Tubberk junction we rode on the winding road of highway 12 and stopped at Route 12 Coffee Shop. Ajilong/Sha who rode ahead of us missed the coffee shop. The rest had coffee, fruits and some snacks for lunch while waiting for Ajilong/Sha to turn back. 

(A clear bright day to ride on Highway 12)

(One of the many scenic stops)

(A photo opportunity at Route 12 R&R)

(Light snacks and fruits for lunch)

(Crunchy sweet persimmons bought at Phu Tubberk)

(The Route 12 Coffee Shop is not as lively)

From Route 12 we rode towards Nakhon Sawan bypassing the town of Phitsanulok. Stopped to refuel at a PTT along the way on route 117. As it was getting late, we performed our prayers at a gazebo by the Amazon Café. We reached Nakhon Sawan around 7.30 pm and detoured to Aminyan Halal Restaurant for a sumptuous heavy dinner. 

(Trying a new halal restaurant in Nakhon Sawan)

(This restaurant offers better food choices with nice ambiance)

From Nakhon Sawan we rode on highway 1 to Chai Nat and checked in Fantasy Resort for B800/night.

 2018 Couple Ride: 05 Chai Nat - Samut Songkhram👉

👈2018 Couple Ride: 03 Kui Buri - Phetchabun 

05 Couple Ride: Chai Nat - Samut Songkhram

“The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have…” - Anna Quindlen

(Chai Nat Fantasy Resort sheep farm)

Day 05: 11 Dec 2018 (Tuesday)
Route: Chai Nat - Ratchaburi - Samut Songkhram
Distance: 287 km
Hotel: Samut Songkhram Royalland Mae Khlong Hotel 

After some photo shots around the beautiful colourful chalets of Fantasy Resort, we rode to a nearby PTT to refuel and had our breakfast at the 7-Eleven.

(A light house at the resort)

(Chalets with private parking space)

(A bright sunny day)

Today we rode to Samut Songkhram via Kamphaeng Saen and Nakhon Pathom bypassing the town of Suphan Buri. This routing will avoid the busy traffic going into Bangkok. We rode direct to Ratchaburi and stopped for lunch at Hawa Halal Restaurant. The restaurant serves variety of dishes and my favorite is the delicious sup tulang. There is a home stay at the back of the restaurant if you need to spend the night in Ratchaburi.

(Cycling for charity)

(Passing the historic Chulalongkorn Bridge in Ratchaburi)

(Lunch break at Hawa Restaurant)

From Ratchaburi we took highway 4 then highway 35 to Samut Songkhram. Arrived at Samut Songkhram around 3.30 pm and checked-in Royalland Mae Khlong Hotel at B500/night. After a refreshing showers and rest, we walked a short distance to the Mae Khlong Railway Market and in time to watch the passenger train passing through the busy Railway Market. 

(The train time-table at the Mae Khlong Market)

(We were in time for the next train)

(The street vendors displaying their goods)

(The awnings being retracted for the passing train)

(Still time for a photo shot)

(Tourists crowd the railway tracks for better angle)

(Hei... the train is coming!)

(Watch out for your feet, guys...)

(A coconut drink after all the excitement)

Precisely as stated on the time table, there were warning bells and you would hear the train coming long before you actually see it. We had the opportunity to watch the vendors and merchants coolly and collectively retract their awnings and umbrellas, covered their produce with plastic, clearing the railway tract for the passing train. Every now and then the train will blare its horn to warn bystanders, especially foreign tourists who were standing on the rail tract to take pictures of the oncoming train. Once the train passed, the market will commence business as usual.

(A quiet Mae Khlong Market at dusk)

Tonight we had dinner in the hotel as the Amphawa Floating Market was closed on weekdays.

 2018 Couple Ride: 06 Samut Songkhram - Chumphon👉

👈2018 Couple Ride: 04 Phetchabun - Chai Nat 

06 Couple Ride: Samut Songkhram - Chumphon

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all - the risk of spending your life not doing what you want…” - Randy Komisar 

(A royal visit to Rajabakhti Park)

Day 06: 12 Dec 2018 (Wednesday)
Route: Samut Songkhram – Hua Hin – Singkhon Pass - Chumphon
Distance: 416 km
Hotel: Chumphon Nanaburi Hotel

Outside, the sky looked burnt out, all black char and thick grey ashes, heavy with rain. A promise of a cold and wet ride. Caution required...

We refuelled and had breakfast at a PTT outside of Samut Songkhram town. Carefully, we rode with minimal visibility on highway 35 then highway 4 to Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin. 

(A morning briefing before the ride)

(Riding in the rain with care)

(Passing through the town of Hua Hin)

Rajabhakti Park is one of Hua Hin’s attractions. It was raining heavily when we arrived at the park but it did not deter us from taking pictures with the giant bronze statues of the great Kings of Thailand from various era in Thai history. The impressive 14 meters giant statues stand in a line against a backdrop of forested hills. Each statue carries a plate with the name of the King and period of reign.

(The majestic bronze statues of the kings)

(Drenched wet in heavy rain)

(A group photo in front of the statues)

From Hua Hin we rode on highway 4 to Prachuap Khiri Khan and detoured to visit Dan Singkhorn Pass about 18km from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Dan Singkhon pass is a Thailand/Myanmar border crossing allowable only for the locals.

In our next trip here, we would like to venture into the Khao Hin Tern Park which lies between Dan Singkorn and Prachuap Khiri Khan, where one could take a hike and see some unusual rock formations.

(A detour to Thailand/Myanmar border)

(The gate to Myanmar)

(The Clock Tower of Dan Singkhon)

(Myanmar Coffee Shop at the border)

(Thanaka beauty products from Myanmar)

From Dan Singkhon we headed south to a new Thap Sake R&R about 40 km from Prachuap Khiri Khan. The R&R area is clean, complete with amenities such as toilets, Muslim praying area, food court and bazaar. There are many halal stalls with variety of delicious food to choose from.

(A new R&R area at Thap Sake)

(Ample parking space for cars and buses)

(Eating area for Muslims in blue)

(A Muslim Praying area)

(Well decorated clean toilets)

After lunch we rode direct to Chumphon and checked-in at Nanaburi Hotel at B800/night with complimentary breakfast. Tonight we had dinner at Fareeda Restaurant, a short walking distant from our hotel. After dinner the gang had an hour of strong Thai massage to relief tired muscle for only B200/hr.

        2018 Couple Ride: 07 Chumphon - Krabi👉

👈2018 Couple Ride: 05 Chai Nat - Samut Songkhram