Chumphon
The phrase "Don't have" is often the first response from staff when a
foreigner enters a shop in Thailand. Hence sorting out the wheel
wasn’t all that easy. Moreover, one discovers how frustrating and
challenging communication can be when doing business in a foreign
country. Despite these obstacles, I persisted and eventually found a
second-hand rim that would hopefully last until I reached Bangkok. I
also managed to locate a keyboard for my laptop, which had lost the
use of the bottom row of keys. And there I thought the Mercury
retrograde was over.
Afterwards, I half-heartedly cleaned the drizzled fuel mess off the
bike, did the laundry, and cleaned my water bottles, which by then
had a lush growth of fungi. I felt sorry for the French couple next
door, as the lady had contracted dengue fever and was very ill.
Chumphon – Thungwualaen Beach – 20 km
Chumphon to Thungwualaen Beach was a mere 20 kilometres, but it
was one of my favourite beaches. However, the place looked a tad
forlorn. Nonetheless, I managed to find a decent room for 300 baht.
Although I could tell from the drippings and the hole gnawed in the
table that I wasn’t the only occupant.