Thailand, November 17 - December 5, 2007

We flew from Dulles to Tokyo (14 hours nonstop), where Erik watched Sumo wrestling during the layover before the 7 hour flight to Bangkok.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:44:16 -0800

rwec
We flew from Dulles to Tokyo (14 hours nonstop), where Erik watched Sumo wrestling during the layover before the 7 hour flight to Bangkok.

Squat toilets are popular over there.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:44:23 -0800

rwec
Squat toilets are popular over there.

rwec's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:44:10 -0800

rwec

Here's where we left from in Chiang Mai.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:44:50 -0800

rwec
Here's where we left from in Chiang Mai.

Michael, Erik, Wanda (who only rode with us on this day), and Rachel before we left on Day 1 of the ride.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:45:07 -0800

rwec
Michael, Erik, Wanda (who only rode with us on this day), and Rachel before we left on Day 1 of the ride.

And we're off. 2 miles down, 701 to go.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:45:18 -0800

rwec
And we're off. 2 miles down, 701 to go.

At a stop in Chiang Mai with some local riders.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:45:33 -0800

rwec
At a stop in Chiang Mai with some local riders.

We'd see a lot of these Wats (temples) later on, but here's the first one we saw. (It's the pointy thing in the distance, not the shack in the foreground.)

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:45:42 -0800

rwec
We'd see a lot of these Wats (temples) later on, but here's the first one we saw. (It's the pointy thing in the distance, not the shack in the foreground.)

Riding along the Ping River outside of Chiang Mai.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:45:49 -0800

rwec
Riding along the Ping River outside of Chiang Mai.

Ahh, Sponsor. It's a Thai electrolyte/sports drink, sorta like Gatorade, but thicker and sweeter.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:46:03 -0800

rwec
Ahh, Sponsor. It's a Thai electrolyte/sports drink, sorta like Gatorade, but thicker and sweeter.

Thailand is primarily Buddhist, and many of the houses and other buildings have these spirit houses out front to appease the spirits that may've been upset at the construction on their land. ...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:46:19 -0800

rwec
Thailand is primarily Buddhist, and many of the houses and other buildings have these spirit houses out front to appease the spirits that may've been upset at the construction on their land. ...

While this one is a bit more elaborate.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:55:24 -0800

rwec
While this one is a bit more elaborate.

There were many signs with no English on them at all, like these. Someone said written Thai looks like wet spaghetti thrown on a wall. I can't disagree.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:46:30 -0800

rwec
There were many signs with no English on them at all, like these. Someone said written Thai looks like wet spaghetti thrown on a wall. I can't disagree.

Thais would often overload their modes of transport. Here a bicycle carries more than it was designed to.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:46:41 -0800

rwec
Thais would often overload their modes of transport. Here a bicycle carries more than it was designed to.

Finishing Day 1 of the ride, we arrive in Chom Thong and head to our hotel.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:46:54 -0800

rwec
Finishing Day 1 of the ride, we arrive in Chom Thong and head to our hotel.

This was our bungalow. It had room to sleep 11, but we had it to ourselves.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:47:23 -0800

rwec
This was our bungalow. It had room to sleep 11, but we had it to ourselves.

It was bigger than our condo in DC...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:50:43 -0800

rwec
It was bigger than our condo in DC...

...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:50:50 -0800

rwec
...

...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:00 -0800

rwec
...

This dog guarded Erik's bike while Erik was eating dinner.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:47:03 -0800

rwec
This dog guarded Erik's bike while Erik was eating dinner.

Erik rewarded the dog with a belly rub.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:47:34 -0800

rwec
Erik rewarded the dog with a belly rub.

We also went to Doi Intanon National Park, which is Thailand's highest point.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:50:35 -0800

rwec
We also went to Doi Intanon National Park, which is Thailand's highest point.

Erik and Rachel at the actual highest point in all of Thailand.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:50:24 -0800

rwec
Erik and Rachel at the actual highest point in all of Thailand.

There were temples up there dedicated to the King and Queen. Here's the one for the Queen.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:48:19 -0800

rwec
There were temples up there dedicated to the King and Queen. Here's the one for the Queen.

There were pretty gardens along the periphery.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:48:37 -0800

rwec
There were pretty gardens along the periphery.

We would all do well to heed this Engrish warning.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:48:53 -0800

rwec
We would all do well to heed this Engrish warning.

Inside was filled with Buddhist stuff.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:49:12 -0800

rwec
Inside was filled with Buddhist stuff.

Erik and Rachel at the Queen's temple.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:49:21 -0800

rwec
Erik and Rachel at the Queen's temple.

...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:49:40 -0800

rwec
...

...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:49:56 -0800

rwec
...

Elephants are popular over there. This one must've heard about the belly rub Erik gave the dog the night before, and wanted one for itself.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:50:16 -0800

rwec
Elephants are popular over there. This one must've heard about the belly rub Erik gave the dog the night before, and wanted one for itself.

On the way back down, we went to a local Thai market.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:47:47 -0800

rwec
On the way back down, we went to a local Thai market.

Medicinal ham? Huh?

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:47:58 -0800

rwec
Medicinal ham? Huh?

Cute kid at the market.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:48:09 -0800

rwec
Cute kid at the market.

The only rain we had during the entire trip was overnight in Chom Thong. This is a poor attempt at capturing a picture of the storm.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:03 -0800

rwec
The only rain we had during the entire trip was overnight in Chom Thong. This is a poor attempt at capturing a picture of the storm.

Here's the same view of the previous picture, but the next morning. It's the backyard of our bungalow.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:22 -0800

rwec
Here's the same view of the previous picture, but the next morning. It's the backyard of our bungalow.

rwec's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:45:07 -0800

rwec

Day 2, on the road to Thoen, Rachel's looking good!

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:32 -0800

rwec
Day 2, on the road to Thoen, Rachel's looking good!

That's one of our 2 support vehicles.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:37 -0800

rwec
That's one of our 2 support vehicles.

Rachel with our new friend, Lauire, an Aussie transplant who now lives in Bangkok. He's really, really cool.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:47 -0800

rwec
Rachel with our new friend, Lauire, an Aussie transplant who now lives in Bangkok. He's really, really cool.

We'd pass Buddhist monks walking along the side of the road.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:55 -0800

rwec
We'd pass Buddhist monks walking along the side of the road.

Thailand loves their king. He's 80 years old and has been in power for 60 years. The king is a big fan of Boy Scouts, and has decreed that students wear Boy Scout uniforms every Wednesda ...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:52:05 -0800

rwec
Thailand loves their king. He's 80 years old and has been in power for 60 years. The king is a big fan of Boy Scouts, and has decreed that students wear Boy Scout uniforms every Wednesda ...

These folks were preparing shallots for transport to a Bangkok market.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:52:20 -0800

rwec
These folks were preparing shallots for transport to a Bangkok market.

Erik made friends.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:52:32 -0800

rwec
Erik made friends.

And Rachel learned that she can't even leave Erik alone for 2 minutes.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:52:43 -0800

rwec
And Rachel learned that she can't even leave Erik alone for 2 minutes.

Most of the dogs in Thailand were mangy mutts. This is See-Saw, the first cute dog we saw on our trip.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:53:01 -0800

rwec
Most of the dogs in Thailand were mangy mutts. This is See-Saw, the first cute dog we saw on our trip.

Gae, our cruise director, riding in the support vehicle.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:53:13 -0800

rwec
Gae, our cruise director, riding in the support vehicle.

We were headed to those hills in the distance. They look foggy, right? It's actually the oxygen that the trees exhale pooling among the treetops.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:53:24 -0800

rwec
We were headed to those hills in the distance. They look foggy, right? It's actually the oxygen that the trees exhale pooling among the treetops.

Rock and roll at a rest stop along the way.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:53:36 -0800

rwec
Rock and roll at a rest stop along the way.

TV graveyard somewhere outside of Thoen.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:53:52 -0800

rwec
TV graveyard somewhere outside of Thoen.

Here's the core group at a rest stop.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:54:09 -0800

rwec
Here's the core group at a rest stop.

A truck overloaded with onions.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:54:21 -0800

rwec
A truck overloaded with onions.

Rachel.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:54:34 -0800

rwec
Rachel.

Rice fields.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:54:42 -0800

rwec
Rice fields.

We made it up those mountains, and then had an 11 mile downhill! Geddyup!

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:54:56 -0800

rwec
We made it up those mountains, and then had an 11 mile downhill! Geddyup!

Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun!

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:55:04 -0800

rwec
Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun!

Erik speeding downhill.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:55:40 -0800

rwec
Erik speeding downhill.

...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:55:56 -0800

rwec
...

...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:08 -0800

rwec
...

Just outside the Thoen city limits, Erik and Rachel stopped for a picture.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:22 -0800

rwec
Just outside the Thoen city limits, Erik and Rachel stopped for a picture.

We had an interesting shower.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:29 -0800

rwec
We had an interesting shower.

Thailand is 12 hours ahead of DC, and we'd often wake up at 4am. We did so in Thoen, and went to this gas station for coffee and to watch the sun rise.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:38 -0800

rwec
Thailand is 12 hours ahead of DC, and we'd often wake up at 4am. We did so in Thoen, and went to this gas station for coffee and to watch the sun rise.

rwec's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:45:12 -0800

rwec

Day 3, on the road to Tak.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:45 -0800

rwec
Day 3, on the road to Tak.

Rachel is having a blast!

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:58 -0800

rwec
Rachel is having a blast!

Our first casualty. Michael didn't unclip his shoes in time and fell over at a dead stop.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:57:07 -0800

rwec
Our first casualty. Michael didn't unclip his shoes in time and fell over at a dead stop.

It was a beautiful day.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:57:14 -0800

rwec
It was a beautiful day.

Here comes some of the gang to a rest stop.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:57:23 -0800

rwec
Here comes some of the gang to a rest stop.

Rachel made it to the rest stop.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:57:40 -0800

rwec
Rachel made it to the rest stop.

Quite possibly the world's dumbest dog. It was a homeless street dog. Erik tossed what was left of his apple to the dog, who promptly sat next to it and ignored it.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:57:55 -0800

rwec
Quite possibly the world's dumbest dog. It was a homeless street dog. Erik tossed what was left of his apple to the dog, who promptly sat next to it and ignored it.

Our friend Michael passing a tractor.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:58:08 -0800

rwec
Our friend Michael passing a tractor.

There were cows in the median. Look closely and you can see a crow on the cow's back.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:58:19 -0800

rwec
There were cows in the median. Look closely and you can see a crow on the cow's back.

Our bikes are Cannondale Bad Boy Ultras. They're handmade in the USA, unlike 99% of the bikes in the world, which are machine made in China or other similar countries. Our bikes are theref ...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:58:37 -0800

rwec
Our bikes are Cannondale Bad Boy Ultras. They're handmade in the USA, unlike 99% of the bikes in the world, which are machine made in China or other similar countries. Our bikes are theref ...

This lady was frying bananas on the side of the road.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:58:53 -0800

rwec
This lady was frying bananas on the side of the road.

The local Thai bike club in this area took us to a petrified log.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:59:08 -0800

rwec
The local Thai bike club in this area took us to a petrified log.

It was pretty big. 72 meters long, and 800,000 years old. And it was just discovered a couple years ago.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:59:22 -0800

rwec
It was pretty big. 72 meters long, and 800,000 years old. And it was just discovered a couple years ago.

Downtown Tak in the distance.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:59:30 -0800

rwec
Downtown Tak in the distance.

Tak has tons of local markets on the waterfront.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:59:43 -0800

rwec
Tak has tons of local markets on the waterfront.

The market came alive at night.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:01:12 -0800

rwec
The market came alive at night.

Here's a lady selling live fish. She put them in bag and gave them to the buyer.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:05 -0800

rwec
Here's a lady selling live fish. She put them in bag and gave them to the buyer.

This is a grilled catfish for sale at the market.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:19 -0800

rwec
This is a grilled catfish for sale at the market.

7-11s are EVERYWHERE in Thailand. Here Erik gets excited at finding his beloved Slurpees.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:28 -0800

rwec
7-11s are EVERYWHERE in Thailand. Here Erik gets excited at finding his beloved Slurpees.

This Shi-Tzu is cute, but wasn't friendly.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:37 -0800

rwec
This Shi-Tzu is cute, but wasn't friendly.

Cooked giant bugs for sale in the market. We passed.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:50 -0800

rwec
Cooked giant bugs for sale in the market. We passed.

Bunnies for sale in the market. We assume they were as pets, not food, because many were wearing bunny clothes.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:01:03 -0800

rwec
Bunnies for sale in the market. We assume they were as pets, not food, because many were wearing bunny clothes.

rwec's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:45:17 -0800

rwec

The next morning we left Tak and headed to Sukhothai.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:01:30 -0800

rwec
The next morning we left Tak and headed to Sukhothai.

We had a great turnout of local riders...

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:01:40 -0800

rwec
We had a great turnout of local riders...

Even this little guy.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:01:52 -0800

rwec
Even this little guy.

Leaving Tak.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:02:01 -0800

rwec
Leaving Tak.

The mighty Ping river, the same as we rode along on Day 1.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:02:18 -0800

rwec
The mighty Ping river, the same as we rode along on Day 1.

The Thai people were SO friendly. They'd wave at us and say "Hellloooo!"

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:02:31 -0800

rwec
The Thai people were SO friendly. They'd wave at us and say "Hellloooo!"

We passed many, many rice fields.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:02:39 -0800

rwec
We passed many, many rice fields.

Here Erik poses for a picture.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:02:51 -0800

rwec
Here Erik poses for a picture.

Erik, Rachel, and Chris.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:03:06 -0800

rwec
Erik, Rachel, and Chris.

Erik again.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:03:36 -0800

rwec
Erik again.

Michael, Chris, Erik, and Rachel.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:03:46 -0800

rwec
Michael, Chris, Erik, and Rachel.

These told you how many kilometers to the next two towns.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:04:00 -0800

rwec
These told you how many kilometers to the next two towns.

Some of the road signs were in English.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:04:18 -0800

rwec
Some of the road signs were in English.

This is a local Thai farmer.

nobody@smugmug.com (rwec) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:04:31 -0800

rwec
This is a local Thai farmer.