THAILAND (7)
1 766 Kilometres – 36 Days
Alor Setar, Malaysia – Hat Yai, Thailand - 106 km
There wasn’t a single “How old ARE you?” on this day. I guessed my
aura clearly stated, “Don’t even think about it!”. The 60 kilometres to
the border was uneventful, and the crossing into Thailand was easy-
peasy. I followed the usual SIM card and ATM routine before a 57-
kilometre cycle ride spat me out in Hat Yai. The area around the
railway station came with a plethora of inexpensive digs. Park Hotel
turned out quite reasonable at 350 Thai Baht (app. $10) for a sizable
room sporting wi-fi and a bathroom.
Hat Yai – Phatthalung - 110 km
Hat Yai was along a rural route, and the day, surprisingly, turned out
pretty exciting. When travelling by bicycle, one seldom flies under the
radar, and my path led slap-bang through the centre of the Friday
market. It was clear the area was off the beaten track as not only
were the road signs in Thai, but my presence caused quite a stir, and
it seemed I put the fear of God into the kids. Villagers informed it was
impossible to reach Bangkok by bicycle, and not even the mange
dogs gave chase. However, the leading indicator that this was rural
Thailand was coming upon the “reading tree”, where a pair of
communal reading glasses was left hanging from a branch. The way
ran past large rubber tree plantations, small villages, and a multitude
of temples.