(^34) Cha-Am – Samut Sakhon – 129 km
With my finances sorted, we resumed our ride along the coastal route
to Cambodia, still a few days cycling away. A mild tailwind pushed us
onto Samut Sakon, where budget accommodation offered air-con, TV
and a bathtub, something not seen in years.
Ernest cooked pasta, which he'd been carrying in his panniers. It's
incredible what came out of those bags. Still, I considered buying
from mobile food traders to be more convenient.
Samut Sakhon – Chachoengsao – 110 km
From Samut Sakhon to Chachoengsao was, and always will be, a
dreadful traffic-laden ride through southern Bangkok, a slow stop–
start process. The first sixty kilometres came with horrendous traffic
through a densely populated area. Then, mercifully, it cleared and
proceeded through a more rural area adorned by endless shrines and
temples. Our rural road followed a canal lined by wooden houses
upon stilts, where villagers made a living from fishing. I thought it
was remarkable that any fish remained in those rivers, as all kinds of
fishing methods were employed, from Chinese nets to wicker baskets.
The teeny fish caught were dried in the sun on large bamboo tables. I
felt hot, tired, hungry, and thirsty and we stopped at a petrol station
to take a breather. Petrol stations were abundant and generally
sported 7-Eleven shops and clean toilets. The weather looked
threatening, and we located a bed in a brand-new hotel adjacent to
the gas station. I was convinced we were the first farang guests as
we appeared to be a great source of interest.
leana
(Leana)
#1