Tha Ton Thailand
Today I rode about 230 Kms which is about the most I will probably do in any one day. I left at 9 am and got to my destination around 4 pm with a stop for lunch and site seeing at these amazing caves near Chiang Doa.
There is a road mantra that I am living by:
They drive opposite here in Thailand
Slow down into the turn accelerate out of the turn
Stay far left of the center (politically as well as the road)
Keep the rubber part down.
Unlike driving in Viet Nam or India where it is a video game and you are the target, the Thai drivers are a bit better although sometimes I feel as though the center line is only for esthetics. They don't seem to notice which side of the road they are on until there is an oncoming vehicle ( Like ME!) and then they will slowly move over to their lane.
At first I was concerned but now that is just how it is and I put that into my way of driving- giving lots of space and being ever vigilant.
I think driving will be easier in Laos as there are so few cars but the way people drive in Asia is quite something to behold.
So far my only mishap was when I went to avoid a snake crossing the road and in slamming on my brakes I laid the bike on it's side. No damage to me the bike or the snake.
Also the answer to why did the chicken cross the road? It was to mess with the motorcyclists.
I learned something from all the years driving to Burningman. Like they say in the survival guide between Reno and Gerlach, if you see a rabbit crossing the road aim for it!
Chickens crossing the road I am aiming for you.......( I would love the video if I ever do hit one)
More miles ahead....
Send me your comments, I appreciate them.
J
Today I rode about 230 Kms which is about the most I will probably do in any one day. I left at 9 am and got to my destination around 4 pm with a stop for lunch and site seeing at these amazing caves near Chiang Doa.
There is a road mantra that I am living by:
They drive opposite here in Thailand
Slow down into the turn accelerate out of the turn
Stay far left of the center (politically as well as the road)
Keep the rubber part down.
Unlike driving in Viet Nam or India where it is a video game and you are the target, the Thai drivers are a bit better although sometimes I feel as though the center line is only for esthetics. They don't seem to notice which side of the road they are on until there is an oncoming vehicle ( Like ME!) and then they will slowly move over to their lane.
At first I was concerned but now that is just how it is and I put that into my way of driving- giving lots of space and being ever vigilant.
I think driving will be easier in Laos as there are so few cars but the way people drive in Asia is quite something to behold.
So far my only mishap was when I went to avoid a snake crossing the road and in slamming on my brakes I laid the bike on it's side. No damage to me the bike or the snake.
Also the answer to why did the chicken cross the road? It was to mess with the motorcyclists.
I learned something from all the years driving to Burningman. Like they say in the survival guide between Reno and Gerlach, if you see a rabbit crossing the road aim for it!
Chickens crossing the road I am aiming for you.......( I would love the video if I ever do hit one)
More miles ahead....
Send me your comments, I appreciate them.
J
8 comments:
Jeff,
You answered my query about the Buddist bells on the motorcycles. They must really be to scare away the chickens and snakes.
Dr. J, 10 pts for chickens, 2 for rodents, and 50 for snakes. We are missin ya. Back for NYE maybe?
Bradley
I saw someone that actually hit a chicken in the road and it was not a pretty site, So I wish you all the luck. I am sure you will get your chance again in laos. Sounds like an incredible journey so far. Glad you got to get a massage from the master.
The only other massage in thailand that rivaled the master in Pai was the Blind Guys in Chaing Mai. make sure you get one or two of those when you get back to chaing mai from your journey. I'm sure that after all that riding your body will need it.
o yea there is a great foot massage place in chaing Mai too $6 for 2 1/2 hours . make sure you do the 2 1/2 hrs.
Berger
If you need the info on the blind massage guys e-mail me and i will get it for you.
your blog is good good good......
Jeffre
glad you didn't get hurt! how big was the snake? Still interested in you Thai set list...how are you holding up? Are you in Laos yet? I presume you are still headed in that direction. Stay safe, my brother
Geekmon..feel blessed it is 26 degrees her in Douglas, MA..no motorcycle riding for me today....its more like chopping wood out back for the wood stove.
Those pictures you posted were bueatiful.
We are going out for some Thai food in Boston this week as close as I will get.
When you get back if you get a minute could you email the recipy for fish Tacos's. My brother Jah, Jah Fishbone and I want to try them and Jah, Jah may serve them at the CC were he is the Sous Chef.
More shots of the motorcycle please.....and keep the rubber side down !!!!!! Also, wondering if you ran into my friend Dan Joseph in PAi ?
right on jeff! glad to hear that you did finally make it out of pai... although i can surely attest to the vortex of that place!! especially this time of year, when No.thern Thailand is most beautiful! i have gotten sucked into lazing around by the rivers and mountains of Pai... in fact last year jacobEye and i viewed a home for sale out there and considered what it would be like to live as ex-pats in that paradise. but no urgency now that OBAMA is president! :)
all the best to you as you blissfully ride along your path.
sawadee-kah!
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