Had Yai – Trang, Day 5

Had Yai – Trang, Day 5 (40km)

Today was to be an easy ride. I decided just to do the inland detour to the next peninsula. My route took me out of Pakbara and through the town of La-Ngu without spending much time on main roads. Yes, I was back on the little roads for most of the time today!

Crossed the main road at the central market of La-Ngu, busy like an ant heap in the morning and great fun. Soon afterwards I found myself in the mid of the greenery, stopping frequently to take photos. After all I wasn’t in a hurry at all. I probed down some plantation roads not found on any maps, just to return to my planned route after ending up in dead ends. Added a detour of about five or six kilometers to skip one kilometer of main road. It was well worth it, passing beautiful scenery, a golden hilltop temple, and photographing sunbathing dragonflies.

After a tasty bowl of chicken noodles and replenishing much needed liquid, I wet my hair and cap before braving the last 7km to the ocean side. Once I hit the beach it was up or down, as there were two places to choose from. I headed North and got a decent enough room at Ban Chomle resort, a local place run by friendly folks.

After a shower and rest I set out to explore the area, added 20km or so, and every click was worth it! The Southern part of the peninsula is rather scenic, with quite some limestone cliffs, a picturesque fishing village, topped by wide, flat and long Ka Sing beach. Not a fine sand beach, yet not a mudflat beach either, this scenic spot was a pleasure to experience. Riding along the sea at low tide was simply stunning, with armies of thousands of tiny crabs scattering with the approach of this giant two-wheeled war horse I was riding on.

Returning to the resort I got caught in a local party, with stereo music blasting out of a pick-up truck, people dancing under the big trees, plenty of food – and beer – and everyone clicking their glass with me.

A blood red sun, disappearing behind some cliff island far out on the horizon, completed this day.

And what a day it was!😍

Day 5 was how I like my rides. Apart from the hop along 5030 out to the seaside it was all small roads. With just 40km to cover I had plenty of time to stop, follow some trails, or go on some lengthy detours. Furthermore, arriving just past noon at the resort, there was plenty of time to check out the local neighborhood (track not shown on map). The Southern part of this headland is the more scenic one, Talay Dao resort perhaps being a worthwhile option to stay with its full restaurant and a small seaside sitting area.