The plan man was to go to Fang, via bicycle.
Using songtheaws, buses and trains as well. The mission is to have new expereinces not kill myself.
I picked up some slick panniers which integrated with the Ortleib rackpack I already had.
I pedaled the first 15kms to catch the songtheaw to Ranong.
I was planning on riding to Chumpon but the sky was looking rather dreary so hopped the bus. 130 baht bus fare and 200 baht for the bike.
In Chumpon I get a first class sleeper for Bangkok, all the second class sleepers were taken.
With about 7 hours to wait for the train I go exploring the Chumpon seashore.
The marine resource center
happy dolphin
nice spot for a beer and some food
some Burmese ladies by the harbour.
Riding the train with bicycle is easy, You pay a 90 cargo handling fee take the gear off the bike and drop off the bike with the cargo car when the train arrives.
Arrive in Bangkok at 06:10 and buy a ticket for that evenings train to Chiang Mai at 19:35.
So I had the whole day to putt about the big city.
Spent much of the time pleasantly hanging out in Lumpini park, watching big lizards stroll about.
He was one of the small ones. Didn't get the camera out fast enough for the big who lumbered by.
Rented a mat and took a nap.
After a while the big city gets a bit blurry.
Spend a couple nights in Chiang Mai eating good farang food, and chit-chatting with the girls from Sukothai.
Take a songthaew 30 kms out Chiang Mai to Mai Tang. Ride the next 30kms to Chiang Dao.
Stay two nights wandering around Chiang Dao
It is 80 kms to Fang from Chiang Dao, with two big climbs. Made it in 6 hours, including stops for noodles, bananas and beer.
I'll be spending a month here in Fang at a temple retreat studying some Buddhist stuff.