Got up early with a bit of a hangover, so we fought it by munching a full Cambodian breakfast (rice, pork, fried eggs, cucumbers, chillies and some other veg unknown to us). All of that accompanied by a light soup. Priceless. I had two. Cycling to the border was very nice, and the crossing too as it was actually on the sea side. Few hills, ice creams and water melons and we slowly but surely reduced the kms to our intended destination, Trat. We have quickly realised how different was Thailand was from Cambodia – much more developed, brasher, colder people and hectic roads/towns .
Absolutely knackered, we arrived in Trat at about 5pm and tried to find somewhere to sit and drink a cold beverage while planning our next move – not a café in sight – just chaotic traffic and market stalls/shops. We decided to head out to Laem Gnob and the prospect of an evening ferry to Koh Chang. 20kms later, we crawled into town to find that we had not picked the correct pier for the ferry. Another 5kms of crawling along, we almost gave up. Not being able to find the ferry was frustrating. The signs had disappeared except for large boards in Thai script only. We asked a driver and he pointed ahead. Sixth sense told us not to trust him, so we asked a girl on a moped. She told us that we were at the ferry terminal but it was hidden behind the market that was in full swing.
Luckily enough the last ferry was in 40 minutes, so we booked our 100 Baht (about $3.50) return tickets and waited with cold beers and a coffee. At about 8.30pm in pitch darkness, the ferry docked somewhere on the island. Our useless guidebook had no map, so we had no idea where to go. Heading right from the ferry, we were faced by steep hills and expensive resort hotels. Eventually, with the hills becoming steeper, we stumbled up a temple and collapsed on their picnic area. There was a nice flat area just big enough for our tent. Once pitched, we flopped into it and slept like babies.
Cycled at least 130km (estimation)
Absolutely knackered, we arrived in Trat at about 5pm and tried to find somewhere to sit and drink a cold beverage while planning our next move – not a café in sight – just chaotic traffic and market stalls/shops. We decided to head out to Laem Gnob and the prospect of an evening ferry to Koh Chang. 20kms later, we crawled into town to find that we had not picked the correct pier for the ferry. Another 5kms of crawling along, we almost gave up. Not being able to find the ferry was frustrating. The signs had disappeared except for large boards in Thai script only. We asked a driver and he pointed ahead. Sixth sense told us not to trust him, so we asked a girl on a moped. She told us that we were at the ferry terminal but it was hidden behind the market that was in full swing.
Luckily enough the last ferry was in 40 minutes, so we booked our 100 Baht (about $3.50) return tickets and waited with cold beers and a coffee. At about 8.30pm in pitch darkness, the ferry docked somewhere on the island. Our useless guidebook had no map, so we had no idea where to go. Heading right from the ferry, we were faced by steep hills and expensive resort hotels. Eventually, with the hills becoming steeper, we stumbled up a temple and collapsed on their picnic area. There was a nice flat area just big enough for our tent. Once pitched, we flopped into it and slept like babies.
Cycled at least 130km (estimation)