National Park: Weekend 25-26 June 2011

Weekend trip to Thailand National Park that started started with Talat river crossing (6:00am ferry crossing 1,498 mileage) after packing overnight belongings and filling-up motorcycle with petrol.

Took route 3 out of Bangkok (Sukhumvit) by following the coastline to Bang Pakong and then route 314 north to Ban Phra where the road merges with the route 304 running north-east from Phanom Sarakham to Kabin Buri and Wang Nam Khieo.

Reached Kabin Buri for fuel and pit stop and arrived at destination (mileage 1,910) - Nakhon Ratchasima, Wang Nam Khieo.

Found hotel, had dinner, sleep, breakfast and then departed at 10:03 the next day. Arrived in Bangkok 17:13 - mileage after bike wash 2,330.

PS: if there is anyone reading this blog, I have been advised that the pictures are too motorcycle-centric so will change the composition of any future photographs.....

Phanthai Norasing: 19 June 2011

Early morning ride around Phanthai Norasing. Came across Vermiculture farm on return and stopped for tour and instruction in vermiculture (worm cultivation).

Seems worms can be grown to produce fertilizers that can be used for hydroponic vegetable cultivation. Very very ecological method of food production - will explore this more.

Bike wash (Mileage on return 1,495)

Seaside - Mahachai, Samut Sakhon: 18 June 2011

Took rural road through Wat Pracha Bamrung and Phanthai Norasing to rural road 4008. Stopped at Dolphin View Point off 4008 but informed that dolphins are only visible in these waters during the winter months. Continued on to Wat KrokKrak in Bang Ya Phraek (Latitude: 13° 38' 23" N Longitude : 100° 32' 35" E).

Navigated to this point using custom route entered into Garmin GPS Zumo 220 (motorcycle GPS). Used return custom route feature and the Garmin re-calculated return via Soi Ekkachai which is not a preferred route back to Bangkok (heavy traffic and many markets that cause traffic congestion). Eventually decided to ignore GPS and return to the rural roads. GPS finally re-calculated rural route.

Ban Phanthai Norasing, Samut Sakon: 13 June 2011

Sukhumvit Soi 22 and an evening ride through Ban Phanthai Norasing, Samut Sakon (Latitude : 13° 34' 39" N Longitude : 100° 20' 35" E). Phanthai Norasing, who was a coxswain on one of the barges of King Phra Chao Sua, is a symbol of integrity and honesty and his virtues are taught to Thai students. He lived during the Ayutthaya period about two hundred years ago.

Lovely roads and no traffic. Pulled-over by Police at road block and advised lights too bright / poorly adjusted - will ask Kawasaki dealer to adjust at next service.(Mileage on return 1,324)

Royal Thai Navy Base, Laen Fa Pha: 11 June 2011

Delightful evening ride to area outside the Royal Thai Navy Base, Laen Fa Pha (Latitude :13° 34' 05" N Longitude : 100° 32' 50" E). Sat on bridge and watched anglers while having fresh coconut and ice cream. Stopped-off at a Hydroponic "farm" on the way and was instructed on the basics of hydroponic vegetable growing by a most helpful farmer.

On return journey found new car wash (Soi Suksawat Soi 66) that seems quite expert in motorcycle wash and wax. More expensive than the current Caltex petrol station car wash used to-date, but will take the motorcycle to Soi 66 from now on.

Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom: 10 June 2011

Rode to Phutthamonthon  (Latitude: 13° 46' 35" N Longitude: 100° 19' 15" E), a park near Nakhon Pathom recommended by friend at the office. Easy route with reasonable roads and traffic for a Saturday morning.
One navigation blunder going. Turned left to go on to Borommaratchachonnani elevated roadway and came across a police roadblock stopping motorcycles. Given never sure which elevated sections of road motorcycles are allowed (or not allowed) to use, decided to quickly head for the frontage road. Unfortunately, after about a kilometer, this ran-out and resulted in having to traverse some muddy railway tracks to get across, and then back to, the highway. Plenty of motorcycles were using the elevated section so need not have bothered!

The park was nice and surrounded by klongs. Stopped for iced coffee and toast, and re-programmed the GPS to go to Mahachai, Samut Sakhon which is said to have a nice open air market and is by the seaside. Must have hit GPS "take me home" button by mistake as, after about 45 minutes, began to wonder why it was getting more urban and built-up! It was soon clear this was Bangkok so decided to return home and leave the seaside trip for another day (mileage on return 1,213 kilometers)

First service (1,000 kilometers): 28 May 2011

Motorcycle booked for 1st service with the Kawasaki dealer at 1:00 p.m. so able to have leisurely start to the day. The customer lounge has views over the service area and as a result able to watch mechanics working on motorcycle. Service seemed thorough, oil and oil filter changed (fully synthetic oil used), chain tightened and greased, and motorcycle and tires carefully checked.

[Motorcycle on ramp at Kawasaki dealer service center - viewed from customer lounge]

After service, took motorcycle for test ride to Royal Thai Naval Base, Laen Fa Pha and then to Na Kluea. This time was accosted by the "village idiot's wife" - have decided to give Na Kluea a miss for a while!

Amphawa Floating Market: 8 May 2011

Plotted GPS route to Amphawa Floating Market and set-off after pleasant English breakfast at local restaurant.

The GPS calculated route avoided Rama II due to "motorcycle setting" and followed Soi Ekkachai to highway 35. Soi Ekkachai is a busy suburban thoroughfare and to be avoided if possible. Joined highway 35 at Mahachai and followed road until Samut Songkham. Road is fast and passes low-lying salt beds. As a result encountered continuously strong crosswinds from the sea which "buffeted" the bike considerably when passing, or being passed-by, buses and trucks.

Arrived Amphawa with no problem but finding the actual market proved a challenge. Eventually reached the destination and was guided very nicely to a school where there is under-cover parking for motorcycles. Wandered through the market, took some pictures, and had a pleasant coffee and Thai snack at a small coffee stall in the market. Didn't stop too long but can recommend the market to anyone interested in a day trip from Bangkok.

New License Plates: 7 May 2012

New plates fitted at dealer and another pleasant ride to Na Kluea. This time accosted by the "village idiot" while sat outside 7-11 enjoying coffee - it seems there is always one no matter where you are in the world!

Overnight to Pattaya: 30 April 2011

An early start after packing overnight belongings into new Kriega luggage (US30 waterproof drybag / tailpack and Hriega R20 rucksack - see www.kriega.com and easily fixing the US30 tailpack to the motorcycle passenger seat. Was soon stopped by Police along Sukhumvit Road to check the motorcycle papers because no license plate fitted yet. Stopped by Police a second time for riding on the highway rather than the frontage road. All papers were in order and had no further problem. Took wrong turn at Bang Kaeo junction and had to travel 20 kilometers to Prawet before a suitable U-turn. Ride took approximately 6 hours including rest stops and unplanned detours! Clearly much to learn about motorcycling in Thailand.

Arrived safely in Pattaya, found the Kawasaki dealer, bought and had fitted some accessories, and found a good hotel for a much needed night's sleep. The hotel, Marriott Resort and Spa, is centrally located and comfortable. The room was newly refurbished but the bathroom small. The high price did not reflect the perceived value but given it was a holiday weekend, other hotels contacted were full, and this was a last minute booking, it was difficult to complain.

The return to Bangkok the next morning was uneventful and significantly quicker. Followed Garmin Zumo 220 GPS directions but these navigated a route over the King Bhumibol bridge - motorcycle access is prohibited (even though the GPS was set to motorcycle mode). However, by following other motorbikes, fortunately came across the Talat ferry river crossing. This was a high-light of the return journey and cost less than 25 Thai Baht. Look forward to the opportunity to use this ferry crossing at sometime in the future.

Photoshoot - Lumpini Park: 23 April 2011

Early morning photo shoot at Lumpini Park (Rama IV, Bangkok) with renown local photographer.

Followed by delightful ride to Na Kluea (Sathani Anamai Tambon Na Kluea, Samut Prakan  near the Chao Phraya  River estuary - Latitude: 13° 32' 43" N Longitude: 100° 30' 14" E) and coffee at 7-11. Quiet concrete road with little traffic.

Motorcycle Pick-up - 7 April 2011

Motorcycle pick-up at Kawasaki Big Bike Dealer, Rama IX, Bangkok

Rode to office (south of river), hot, heavy traffic and hugely stressful. Arrived safely and later rode home in the dark with no problem.