67 km
Had my new alarm clock set for 0600. Hit the snooze, and woke up at 0710. I must figure out how that new snooze actually works!
I like getting up at 6, have a shower and go out for a good breakfast. Back to my room to pack and take a dump. Drink a bottle of water and I am ready go go by 8. But alas today I did not leave until 0945, when it was already getting warmer.
Thought I would make it only half a day to recover from yesterdays long one. After some 35 kms there were signs leading to a beach. Turned off but was right soon stopped by a military guard in combat gear, helmet and a gun. He asked 'where going?' I said beach, and he said 'no.' That was about the extent of his English vocabulary. Well I am not one to argue with a machine gun. I am one a bike trip to enjoy the warm weather and good food etc. I just said OK and turned around. An hour later there was another similar guard who told me 'No entry' when it had started looking like a nice area. Even though slightly more eloquent he seemed just as serious, and I had to turn back again. From seaward this is no doubt the entry to the inner Gulf of Thailand, and Bangkok. So it is no surprise that there are military bases. So I cycled on, as it was getting hotter and hotter.
Eventually though my traveller instincts kicked in and I turned off again towards the water, but no signs of any guest houses or such. After a while I caught up with an old western dude on a crappy looking mountain bike. I asked if there are any guest houses around and 'yes come this way' he said, a Croatian. But that one was full, and I had to go on. Then I saw another white face, and asked him. He was a Russian, a young guy from Siberia, very nice fellow. He said I could at least ask where he stays, 'follow me'. And sure enough I got a splendid room in a high rise fancy touristy looking hotel. I don't know its name since the only signs are in Thai. Nevertheless, huge room on the fifth floor, air con, hot shower, TV, fridge, balcony overlooking the ocean, and a guard in uniform keeping an eye on my bike down below.
Russian, who would have thought? Yesterday as I cycled around Jomtien Beach looking for a room I saw several signs in Russian, for massage, hotels etc. And I thought 'this is no good', Russian signs attract me about as much as signs in Hebrew. I think 'why don't I go in the opposite direction'. But anyway here I am, thanks to a Russian fellow. It seems yet another chance to learn from travelling. Quite a few of them are no doubt huge, brute and drunk, but I was fortunate to learn that there are others too.
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