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1. siamerican
   
   Siamericanization

   Bangkok/Pattaya to Phuket, back and everything in between.

   On Saturday, June 7, 2008, American expat, Klaus Kent and the Siamerican Wanderer departed Klaus's Jomtien (beach-town south of Pattaya)condo in Kent's new Mitsubishi Triton Diesel truck with the Siamerican's Kawasaki ZX 130 snuggly tied down to the bed.

   Armed with clothes stuffed Packs, Notebook computers, Maps, a guitar, and a craving for adventure, the two set off with a loose itinerary of making the Phuket destination within three days, allocating time to make overnight stops along the enchantment promising Isthmus of Kra crossing route.

   After eight days in Phuket, the two made their way back, deciding on a different route to get across the scenic rich Isthmus of Kra. Several days later, they would find themselves in the place where they had begun trying to piece together the last few weeks' sights, sounds, memories, significance, purpose, and value.

   For the windup to this trip, see the Siamerican Wanderer's personal blog account

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. siamerican
   
   Siamericanization

   Jomtiem-Pattaya to Hua Hin:

   The first official day of the road trip covered some 400 kilometers driving up and around the Gulf of Thailand bend on highway 7 from Pattaya up to the Thai capital, crossing the Chao Phraya river via the Mega Bridge in Samut Prakarn and connecting to Rama II (Highway 35) heading west bound through Samut Sakorn and Samut Songkhram. Just past Samut Songkhram, the venture headed south on a shortcut coastal route to Cha-ahm where they merged back onto Southbound Hwy 4 , seeing arrival in Hua Hin just prior to the Sun's setting.

   With the truck parked near a dock, a downtown survey was conducted on foot before finding a nice sea view-breeze luring room on the 7th floor for 900 baht (about 27USD).

   

   

   Having been over-exposed to and thus spoiled by the Isarn (Lao heritage influenced Northeastern Thailand) working girl populated bar scenes of Thailand, Hua Hin's after dark, narrow neon lit sois (secondary street--painted with dozens of beer and pool bars whose primary occupants were idle and hungry girls calling out to a dearth of customers in tourism's low season--presented little of a spectacle for our epic's tamed and seasoned expat travelers, who indifferently strolled through the heart of the 'wow-kum sir, come in pease' bombardment of invitations.

   Despite the oversupply of temptation, debauchery wouldn't be on the night's itinerary which ended after a seaside Thai meal and a few games of pool before retiring to their quarters.

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. siamerican
   
   Siamericanization

   Hua Hin to Ranong

   Sunday, June 8th's driving commenced late morning. Continuing down Asia highway 4, outside of Chumporn, the the route splits South West making the Isthmus crossing parallel to the Myanmar-Thailand river through rugged and green curving mountain roads

   Made it to downtown Ranong with an hour of daylight left. Within minutes of entering downtown, came to the Asia hotel, and settled in a 500 AC room at Asia Hotel.

   The evening in the cool and quiet border town turned out to be a relaxing ordeal featuring a filling Thai meal of Curry, fish cakes and chicken topped off with a clean and energizing massage adding up to about 1000 baht (33 bucks) between the two.

   Next morning, it was time to hit the road again for the third and final segment of the leg.

   

   After several hours of winding and scenic coastal bends, a lunch stop was made near Kao Lak beach, just a few hours north of Phuket island.

   

   Approaching ever closer to destination, anticipation and expectations began to build, until finally crossing Sarasin bridge mid afternoon.

   

   Posted 2 years ago #

4. siamerican
   
   Siamericanization

   Eight days in Phuket went by in a flash. Klaus Kent settled in a 600 baht/night hotel at Karon Beach (note that the same room during high season-October through December—would be 1800 baht/night), while the Siamerican Wanderer jumped between visiting with Klaus at Karon and family in Phuket city on the east side of the island.

   Throughout the week, sea conditions weren't ideal for beginner surfers, with choppy- frequently breaking waves, riptide, and dangerous conditions calling for red flags on the beach.

   

   Nonetheless, the two attempted one day, renting surfboards at Kata beach just south of Karon beach. It was a failure at surfing, and the two were exhausted from paddling down the coast, never making it out far enough to catch any real wave.

   The return date was set for Tuesday, June 17. The Siamerican met Klaus Kent at the hotel approaching noon, and they loaded their bags and tied the motorbike down in the truck bed, hitting the road, northbound for Central Thailand.

   

   After crossing Sarasin Bridge, instead of heading north towards Ranong, they cut east and ultimately north and east again through Surathani meeting up with the Asia Highway 41.

   Approaching sunset, they found themselves in Lung Suan district exactly opposite of Ranong on the other coast. Passing through the congested market, they drove some 10 kilometers east to the beach, happening upon the 99 Bay Resort for a reasonable 600 baht/night air conditioned seaside bungalow.

   

   

   Chumporn’s coast proved to be quiet, serene, unspoiled and worthy of future visits.

   

   

   Wednesday’s drive north on Asia Highway was swift and short four hours to Hua Hin, where it was decided to meet up with some friends for one more night before heading to Bangkok the next day.

   Some three hours and 200 kilometers later, they were finally back in the Thai Capital, marking the waning hours of the trip. Klaus Kent stayed one more night in Bangkok with the Siamerican before parting and heading back to his life back in Jomtien the next day.

   Posted 2 years ago #

5. Anonymous
   
   Unregistered

   kool...that mountain is bulbous like a breast

   Posted 2 years ago #

6. Anonymous
   
   Unregistered

   Look like a good trip.

   Posted 2 years ago #

7. Anonymous
   
   Unregistered

   Nice report, K.

   Was it worth it?

   Didn't u see a bunch of ladyboys in Phuket?

   Posted 2 years ago #

8. Anonymous
   
   Unregistered

   actually didnt see any ladyboys but thier was no shortage of farang couples on romantic honeymoon-and plenty of azure seas.

   and yes most definitly worth the effort and then some

   klaus

   Posted 2 years ago #

9. Anonymous
   
   Unregistered

   What the Hell did u learn on this trip?

   and how will waht u learned help others????

   me

   Posted 2 years ago #

10. Anonymous
    
    Unregistered

    Warning to Morons,

    If you post any more disgusting deviant sex links on this blog I will contact some "friends" in the Cyber Crimes Division of the Crime suppression Police.

    In accordance with the laws of this country-pornography is illegal.

    If u are using a remote sender to post- then you will be surprised when Police or Goverment officials come to your house and seize ur computer.

    Depending on what country u live in-u may also be facing charges.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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