Mr Earl's great adventure

**Mr Earl** · 17-11-2014, 09:47 AM

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.

**bsnub** · 17-11-2014, 10:28 AM

Keep it coming!

**chassamui** · 17-11-2014, 10:37 AM

A bit worried about wear and tear on the bicycle with heavy mileages, (

) and the Leo product placement needs tidying up a bit, but apart from that, a good start.

**Cujo** · 17-11-2014, 10:44 AM

Nice thread. Can't green you again so soon, got to spread the love and all that.

**terry57** · 17-11-2014, 11:08 AM

Nice to see you made it Earl, good stuff.

**BaitongBoy** · 17-11-2014, 11:27 AM

Good job, Earl...Keep up the great work...You must be getting fit, as well...

**PeeCoffee** · 17-11-2014, 11:32 AM

Keeping your dreams alive. Good on you Earl. Travel safe and stay healthy.

**kingwilly** · 17-11-2014, 11:43 AM

nice trip.

**slackula** · 17-11-2014, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by chassamui

and the Leo product placement needs tidying up a bit

At least he's back to drinking something that isn't normally presented in a sample jar.

Nice pics Earl, have a good trip!

**david44** · 17-11-2014, 12:53 PM

Account from an Earl classic hope he prince more pix

**palexxxx** · 17-11-2014, 01:46 PM

Well done Earl, made it to Fang. Nice pics, keep em coming.

**Gipsy** · 17-11-2014, 02:22 PM

Fang, the home of too many oranges. Take your bicycle up Doi Ang Khang (with the help of a taxi), visit the Royal Agricultural Station, enjoy the cool weather, the non-Thai flowers and vegetables grown there, eat some local Burmese, Chinese or Tai Yai food, then cycle back down to Fang. Enjoy your trip!

**somtamslap** · 17-11-2014, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

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.

Sounds like a pleasant little pootle. And not easy on a MTB with nobbly tyres.

**thaimeme** · 17-11-2014, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by PeeCoffee

Keeping your dreams alive. Good on you Earl. Travel safe and stay healthy.

Seconded!

Trust Earl can continue this lovely photo/bio thread.
TD could use more of this......

Nice travel thread, Earl.
Cheers!!

**Mr Earl** · 18-11-2014, 05:59 AM

Saw the oldest teak Buddha.

Some truly fantastic trees.

And some nifty bamboo crafts.

Settling into living at the Wat, I'll give the eight precept thing a whirl.
This place is one of the few places that will fully ordain farang monks; interesting idea I reckon.

Learned the correct way of prostration.

Not this

**BaitongBoy** · 18-11-2014, 06:03 AM

Prostration is rampant in Thailand...

**grasshopper** · 18-11-2014, 09:57 AM

Thought it was illegal?

**fishlocker** · 18-11-2014, 09:19 PM

I'm happy for you sir. It's cold and getting colder by me. I hung my Giant Sedona up last night. I don't ride in snow much anymore. Don't want to break my neck. And God only knows what shape my prostrate is in. Safe travels and much good luck. In Lao I believed they would say "soak dee duh" (good luck).

**Phuketrichard** · 23-11-2014, 10:14 AM

sounds like a great trip so far, I love the area around Fang an west towards the Myanmar border and the hills

**Mr Earl** · 25-11-2014, 06:18 AM

Been at the wat for a week, austere but rather pleasant and stress free. Studying and reading a lot about Theraveda Buddhism.

Took a little trip to the hot springs.

Magnificent trees at the temple

And this bruiser and few clicks away.

**Loy Toy** · 25-11-2014, 07:07 AM

Did you shave your head Earl?

Great travel story mate.

**Mr Earl** · 25-11-2014, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Did you shave your head Earl?

Great travel story mate.

I did, but I started doing that 10 years ago.

I haven't shaved the eyebrows yet! That's a bit weird me thinks.

**runner** · 26-11-2014, 06:08 AM

Great pictures - makes me look forward to my approaching visit to the kingdom

**Cujo** · 26-11-2014, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Been at the wat for a week, austere but rather pleasant and stress free. Studying and reading a lot about Theraveda Buddhism.

Took a little trip to the hot springs.

Magnificent trees at the temple

And this bruiser and few clicks away.

Bet that tree could tell a few stories.

**Neo** · 27-11-2014, 07:30 PM

Nice one Earl, would love to have the time on my hands to do similar..
looked into going to the Wat for a month once... got a little sidetracked after I got off the plane though.

May I suggest a Crud Catcher for your bike...
there's some nasty stuff gets flicked up off the front wheel and straight in your face.. you know what I mean

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