54 kms, ave 17,0, total 506 kms.
Boy did I sleep a lot in Trat! I obviously needed to catch up a bit after more intense cycling than I normally do in the first week. Like to go easy on myself in the beginning.
So I took a nap yesterday afternoon, and woke up to a heavy noise. Rain was pouring down, like real monsoon. I ran out to take the spongy seat cover off my bike before it got soaked even worse. When I went online later I checked the weather forecast and could see there was more rain coming this way in the next several days. Wasn't sure if I should wait yet another day in Trat. But I must plan ahead, towards Sihanoukville at least. Once there I hope it will be so good that it won't matter much if I have to hang around another couple of days. Not really sure what to make of Sihanoukville. I have seen quite varying reports.
So when I got up this morning I was really not sure if to leave or stay put. But it was a nice morning, a few clouds but nothing bad. So I left early, 0740 instead of my usual 0800. Had already decided to split the ride to Hat Lek in two days, and aimed for a stop at Mae Rut, where I am now at. My map shows a beach symbol, and with that I expect to find some kind of lodge and restaurants. I caught a few drops around 9 o'clock but nothing major at all.
I rolled in here already at around 1130. I could easily have gone on to Hat Lek, but feel I am in no hurry. I would quite like to cross the border before the weekend and be in Sihanoukville well before Christmas. That damn X-mas! It used to be that I could escape the whole thing by going to Hindu or Bhuddist countries, but no more. Three years ago I was in Pondicherry, India, when X-mas came around. Suddenly every waiter was decked out in red Santa hats and everywhere were thousands of tourists wanting to celebrate, and shop like crazy.
Mae Rut is really tiny. A fishing village by a very nice beach. I saw signs towards a resort already on the highway. Not that I want 'resorts', but often there is a small guest house nearby where one can enjoy the same beach for half price or less. Not so here. It took me a good while even to locate the resort, and saw no alternative places. So now I am at Mae Rut Resort. 500 Baht for a simple bungalow. I seem to be the only one staying here at the moment. The Man spoke no English, and seemed to expect no customers. He called his boss and we made a deal over cell phone. Not really the best for bargaining on the price.
Well breakfast is included , and there is an onsite restaurant for dinner.
Anyway now I have had shower, the local manager has brought me a cold Chang and I have a connection to an unsecured network. Not too bad!
Mae Rut is a very interesting village to visit. It is all about fishing here. There are some 500 households, 2-3000 inhabitants, and lots of fishing boats. Most houses are built along a river and sit on stilts. They are medium size houses where the wall facing the river is totally open. Along that side is also a concrete path, on stilts, where one can walk or even ride motorbikes. When passing there I see straight in to peoples homes, into their lives. It is fascinating and seems absolutely genuine. Tourism has so far had zero impact here, but I am not sure it will last. For the time being I hope this can be kept among cyclists only. Between you and me I can say that the beach has the whitest sand I have seen in Thailand, but also a fair bit of rubbish.
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