day 9 - Old Sukhothai to Si Satchanalai

Saturday, 2 November 2013

We started off a little later this morning so we could enjoy a good breakfast at the guest house. Our goal is to get to Chiang Mai in the next three days so we had mapped out a route through the towns of Si Satchanalai, Wang Chin and Lampang. We anticipated it would take about 70km to get to Si Satchanalai but it took 64km in the end and we were here by 11.30am.

We travelled up the 1113 for most of the way and only passed through a couple of small towns. It was flat and straight for most of the way so pretty easy riding even as the temperature started to rise into the 30s. There were a lot of large trucks on the road but they all gave us plenty of room when overtaking. There were also a lot of people out working in the fields. It was only after a couple of hours that we realised it was a Saturday and wondered if the field workers get a day off at all. 

(Road signs directing us to our destination)

(A farmer carrying what we think is a drainage pipe for the rice fields)

(More beautiful green fields and mountains getting closer)

(30km down. Half way there and time for a break)

(It doesn't look like much but it's delicious)

We arrived at Si Satchanalai feeling in pretty good shape (except for Nicky's prickly heat) and set about looking for accommodation. After some help from a local lady, we eventually came across the Mukda Motel that we had read about in our guide book. A young friendly woman greeted us with great English and showed us to a room with a fan, explaining they had a wedding tomorrow and all AC rooms were taken. It is a very very basic room, but clean and with a good shower. And the fan is just fine. At 200 BHT per night (about $7), we can't complain.

(On the hunt for accommodation. 

The cars on the left appeared to be part of an election campaign)

We had lunch at a busy little place on the main street before retreating back to the motel for some shade. There isn't much to see in the town. It appears to be a service town with lots of shops selling appliances and a few garages fixing bikes and selling car parts. There is a historical park about 10km out but a heavy downpour after lunch made the decision to rest up an easy one. Later in the afternoon we headed out for an early dinner. We have learned a few basic words in Thai and we've certainly found that the people we meet seem to appreciate us making a bit of an effort. 

(The restaurant menu behind Nicky. Our Thai isn't that good yet. 

We ended up with a great noodle soup though)

(A standard delivery vehicle that's used around these parts. Love all the colour!

This was used to set up the wedding marquees at our accommodation)

(He didn't know what to make of us and we weren't sure what to make of him on the bike either)

We've decided to try get to Lampang tomorrow. It'll be about 130km, by far our longest ride yet and we'll have a rest day on the other side. So off to bed early, serenaded to sleep by some wedding party karaoke outside our room.