I decided to get back on the bike today and try to find a nice beach to spend a day or two. After a few hitches, I have success. I am staying in a beach side resort, there doesnt seem to be any other people here. A little pricey at $20 a night, which is after I asked if they could make it cheaper (and they did by about 15%). But it is the nicest room I have had since ... well its been a while since AC, hot water, wifi, TV and a mini fridge were all in one place.
I have found that crossing the border on the bike is quite nice. Unless you have already arranged transport, dealing with tuk-tuks a the border is a real pain in the ass. They know your stuck and take advantage. The border security also seem to allow bikes to pass with checking bags (taking it all apart would be a real pain in the ass). However, I keep forgetting things like, "ïs there a holiday in XXX today?", or "did the king of Cambodia just die and so all the shops are closed", "what day is it because all the banks and currency exchanges are closed on the weekend", its the little things I keep forgetting to check.
In Koh Kong I tried to change my yuan to dollars or baht, but the rate was terrible. A few places suggested that I go to Pnom Phen. At least they have a sense of humor. So I decided to wait, change in Thailand, save myself from going yuan to dollars to baht. This morning I got on the bike, crossed the border and headed to Khlong Yai. Some websites said it was a true untouched paradise in southern thailand. I dont know what the fuck they have been smoking, but its not the happy shakes, truffles or mashed potatoes from Cambodia. There is no beach in Khlong Yai. However, one site said the beaches to north were best, so I kept heading north. Finally I found it.
An empty beachside resort, so empty there were only 3 cleaning ladies and no one spoke English. After a few minutes a young boy rode a bicyle in to tell me that they were all booked. All booked? There are no people here... Tour group was the response. So back on the road. Next place, also empty, yet all rooms full. Next place 1200 baht a night, $40 and it wasnt that nice. Keep heading on down the road. Pull in and ask, assuming it to be like 2000 since it was really nice. Only 700. Really? Can you make it a little cheaper, like 600, I dont have much money... OK. Now came the interesting part, I only had about $15. Do you take credit cards? No. Can you change chinese yuan? No. Is there an ATM? Yes, 9k back in Khlong Yai. So I dropped my bags in my wonderful room and pedaled my ass back to the bank I passed earlier and remembered thinking on the way past the first time, I should get some money, no there will be another one down the road... oh well.
Now I sit about 5 meters from the beach, gorged on good Thai, debating if I should swim now or wait till sunset. Decisions, decisions. I think it might take an extra day here to really decide. And now that I know its the weekend, tomorrow has thai boxing on TV all day. Now all I have to do is find way to get my TV down to the beach.
I have found that crossing the border on the bike is quite nice. Unless you have already arranged transport, dealing with tuk-tuks a the border is a real pain in the ass. They know your stuck and take advantage. The border security also seem to allow bikes to pass with checking bags (taking it all apart would be a real pain in the ass). However, I keep forgetting things like, "ïs there a holiday in XXX today?", or "did the king of Cambodia just die and so all the shops are closed", "what day is it because all the banks and currency exchanges are closed on the weekend", its the little things I keep forgetting to check.
In Koh Kong I tried to change my yuan to dollars or baht, but the rate was terrible. A few places suggested that I go to Pnom Phen. At least they have a sense of humor. So I decided to wait, change in Thailand, save myself from going yuan to dollars to baht. This morning I got on the bike, crossed the border and headed to Khlong Yai. Some websites said it was a true untouched paradise in southern thailand. I dont know what the fuck they have been smoking, but its not the happy shakes, truffles or mashed potatoes from Cambodia. There is no beach in Khlong Yai. However, one site said the beaches to north were best, so I kept heading north. Finally I found it.
An empty beachside resort, so empty there were only 3 cleaning ladies and no one spoke English. After a few minutes a young boy rode a bicyle in to tell me that they were all booked. All booked? There are no people here... Tour group was the response. So back on the road. Next place, also empty, yet all rooms full. Next place 1200 baht a night, $40 and it wasnt that nice. Keep heading on down the road. Pull in and ask, assuming it to be like 2000 since it was really nice. Only 700. Really? Can you make it a little cheaper, like 600, I dont have much money... OK. Now came the interesting part, I only had about $15. Do you take credit cards? No. Can you change chinese yuan? No. Is there an ATM? Yes, 9k back in Khlong Yai. So I dropped my bags in my wonderful room and pedaled my ass back to the bank I passed earlier and remembered thinking on the way past the first time, I should get some money, no there will be another one down the road... oh well.
Now I sit about 5 meters from the beach, gorged on good Thai, debating if I should swim now or wait till sunset. Decisions, decisions. I think it might take an extra day here to really decide. And now that I know its the weekend, tomorrow has thai boxing on TV all day. Now all I have to do is find way to get my TV down to the beach.
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