Amoi on Pedals: February 2023

Outside the convenience store near Wat Chonkhram with our new Thai friend

Start the day with a group photo at S22 Hotel

Our dear Thai friend took the trouble to wait for us at Raja Ferry terminal so he could sent us off to Koh Samui with banana fritters!!!!!

You have to exchange your online ticket for a valid ticket from this ticket booth so they can give you an earlier slot

Settling into our ferry

Open air deck

Joyce starting her lunch

Arriving in Koh Samui @ 2.10 pm

Chilling at Am Samui Resort

Yayyyy...we arrived at our resort but checking in took another 40 minutes as they screwed up our reservations. In the end, we all enjoyed free upgrades!

Taking a short walk to our dinner place

Dinner on the beach!

Even though we only had 60 km to cover today, we were not taking any risks. Anything can happen on a bike tour....punctures, getting lost, losing a riding buddy, accidents....all possibilities that may delay us from catching our 3 pm ferry this afternoon.

Having that in mind, we set rolling at 7 am this morning but not without a stop at the nearby 7 Eleven for supplies especially water. Outside, a stall selling fried chicken skin and chicken feet attracted Jessica who couldn't resist the decadent snacks. The fried chicken skin was shared amongst the team and the bag soon dwindled away but the chicken feet needed a lot more convincing! They were partially given away to the puppies we will soon meet at Wat Wachira Pradit!

Starting the day with the best Khao Tum and Yu Tiao

Outside the shop

Finding a good breakfast stop was initially daunting as we were in a quiet part of town. Whatever food must be found in the first 2 km distance. Beyond that, we will hit an industrial area and once we crossed the river, we will be riding through the countryside which are riddled with unknowns!

Despite the many roadside stalls offering takeaways, Claudine was adamant to start the morning in the right note....with a cup of Cha Ron. Making a few stops at a few restaurants, we were politely turned away as they were not ready to serve breakfast so early.

We were about to give up and resort to takeaways but thankfully persisted! We soon found a shop offering the most delicious, khao tum and yu tiao!

Ladies selling flower arrangements for prayers at the major intersection between Route 420 and 401.

On Route 401, crossing the Tha Thong River

Tha Thong River

Crossing the Tha Thong River, with a backward glance! Note the Thai cyclist preferred to take the pedestrian route

Talad Thatongmai road

Approaching the fish farms which are fed by the river estuary of Chim Wang

By our first fish farm which is fed by the river estuary of Chim Wang

Can anyone explain what is the purpose of the red strings tied above the fish farm?

The ponds help up together by polythene plastics

Kradae Chae river estuary

At the junction ahead, we will be taking the right turn to Wat Wachira Pradit

While everyone waited just after the right turn, we saw Mr Lim riding straight ahead! Luckily, Henry's booming voice caught his attention!

After breakfast, we worked ourselves through the industrial area, crossed the river and soon joined the countryside. As we were about to hit the fish farms, we had to take a corner. Henry's dry bag took a dive and this was rescued by Raymond. Meanwhile, Henry was oblivious over the escapade!

Wat Wachira Pradit

Some of the guys waiting for Jessica to feed the puppies by Wat Wachira Pradit

Our first official stop was at Wat Wachira Pradit. A huge temple complex, we couldn't resist a photo stop. While taking a look around, Jessica was surrounded by a pack of puppies. Somehow, they could smell the chicken feet she was carrying and had followed her closely. When she shared her treats with them, they wouldn't let her go and even chased after her!

Right off Route 4177, heading towards Phlai Wat Health Center, a hospital

Note the tree branches hovering over the road, its growth undisturbed by vehicles

Fancy seeing some karst hills

A lone motorcyclist passing us

Strange high country trees

Heading north towards Ban Don Suan School

A few hundred meters from Ban Don Son School, we came by a convenience store located right at the corner of the forked road. It was a little past 10 am and our water supplies were half way through. Unsure of what stood ahead, we decided a top up is prudent and did likewise. Jessica though, took more than a topping up of water. She showered with the garden hose!!!!!

After Ban Don Suan and still heading north towards Wat Prasop

Another river estuary of Tha Thong

Green

A different view

Yet a different view

Not far after the right turn at Wat Prasop junction. This road runs parallel to Route 4177

Not far ahead is Wat Prasop. We were riding in the inner road which runs parallel to Route 4177. This is a delight as we often caught sight of the busier road which was decked with more houses.

At the left turn to Wat Chonkhram, we waited for regrouping outside a convenience store. A Thai man was so taken with our group he bought all of us a cold bottle of water each! He showed us his call card which had a profile photo of him in white uniform. Claudine had every intention to keep in touch with him but unfortunately, one of our group members who took a photo of his call card, refused to share it with the team until today!

Wat Chonkhram, after meeting with our kind friend

We missed our left turn by a few hundred meters but was rewarded with this beautiful sight of coconut leaves left to dry by the roadside. When dried, these leaves will be turned into "penyapu lidi" or broom. Location of this spot https://goo.gl/maps/nSzU4uTSxFaCNraZA

Back on track! Note the rubber trees vs coconut fronds

Dirt tracks!

Thumbs up!

Finally got a photo of our sweeper, Raymond

Thick canopy

Turning back on to tarmac soon

Dragon fruit farm

After bidding him farewell, we were on the move again. This time the ride became more adventurous as we rode through some dirt tracks and weaved across small farms.

There are 3 ferry companies running between Donsak and Koh Samui. Up to mid July, Claudine was only able to find Lomprayah ferry tickets on sale. Lomprayah is a fast ferry but only runs 2 trips in a day and the timing not ideal. Seatran and Raja Ferry sites were NOT selling!

Checking with KH, our good friend who is based in Chiang Rai, he shared news of ferry services disrupted by bad weather. This was further validated by Bangkok Post, link at the end of this blog. Thankfully, on July 16, Wa, our van driver from Sadao highlighted to us Raja Ferry site was opened for sales again!

Somewhere along this route, we bumped into our Thai friend again

At the end of this road, we turn left to Raja Ferry port

Look! He is waiting for us at the Raja Ferry terminal

Warm gifts from the heart

Thank you!

We had to pass by Seatran's port first before arriving at Raja Ferry's port. Along this way, we bumped into our new Thai friend again!

It was delightful to see him waiting for us right outside Raja Ferry's office. He warmed our hearts further when he gifted us banana fritters for the journey. Never have we received such warm welcome in a foreign land before! Truly worthy of a smile in the Land of Smiles!!!

At Raja Ferry, all we need is to show our online purchases at the ticket booth. Instead, the staff will issue a valid ticket with a time stamp for the earliest available slot. Such that, subject to availability, we will be put on an earlier departure slot!

We were allowed to take the 1 pm ferry even though we had purchased the slot for 3 pm!

This works out so well as we were assigned the 1 pm slot instead of our original 3 pm slot. This means we will arrive earlier in Koh Samui!

The ticket booth is like a manual toll plaza.

3 booth for 3 lanes

The 1 km ride from the ticket booth to the port

Take the left lane

The right lane goes to other properties as seen in the background

Its already scenic by the port

Note the lorries

Cheap food stall

Lunch

Scenic

Getting ready to board

Approaching our ferry. They don't really check your ticket after this

Pier 1 for Samui

Here we go!

We are the firsts to board. Note how the mineral water is thrown from the truck to the man on the stairs!!!

Raja Ferry staff showing us where to park our bikes

The view from the upper deck

Tidy mass of metals

Perhaps there are more bicycles than lorries on this sea voyage!!!

Weathered jetty

We are sailing out of Donsak

Goodbye, Donsak! Note the 2 blue rams and the rusty jetty we had just left vs the more plush covered jetty for the passenger only ferries.

We are out in the sea!

View of Koh Samui!

Approaching Lipa Noi Pier

Getting closer...

...and closer!

Parking!

This other ferry is leaving Koh Samui

We are FILO....first in, last out!

Hurray, we are in Koh Samui! Donsak is behind us

Back on land

Pass this gateway, hit the T-junction, turn right and ride another 3 km to our resort stay!

Right after the right turn

Single carriageway

Idyllic

Climb up the steep slope

The distance between the ticket booth and the pier is about 1 km away. Passengers on foot were gathered and given free passage by motorised vehicles. As we were travelling by bike, we had to cycle the distance.

At the pier, there is an air-conditioned waiting room and a cafe by the hilltop. Out on the street, a food stall is where our buying frenzy began as nobody wants to go on the ferry without their lunch!

Only Raja Ferry docks at Lipa Noi pier. The other fast ferries dock at Nathon pier.

At Lipa Noi, we only had 3.5 km to ride to our island stay but before we could enjoy a relaxing time at our resort, we need to climb up a steep hill first. By the cliffside of this hill is Intercontinental Resort, a 5 star haven with plush beds and soft pillows.....NO, our stay is a few hundred meters down this cliff, a down to earth place, for we are mere mortals riding a bicycle NOT chariots!!!