Road/Ride - Highway 4 south. Sealed, good all the
way. Twelve kilometers south of Kuraburi we passed
the Green View Resort. Very luxurious and the
restaurant was open at about 7:00 a.m. for breakfast.
At mile 21.1 miles (33.7 kilometers) there is a great
rest spot with a mini-market, car wash, massage, plus
restroom's with western toilets. The best reason to
stop here is the restaurant called B-1. The owner
makes fresh Indian roti for 10 b (.27) in a clay oven.
We had our second breakfast here.
Hills - Hilly ride with some good climbs that started just
as we left Kuraburi. The road continues to be
undulated for the entire day.
Weather - The heat and humidity continue. Started the
ride just as the sun came out to take advantage of the
cool morning before the heat is at it's peak. The ride
started out with a thick fog that lasted about 1 hour.
Accommodations along the road -
We were planning to spend the night at the Ban Jaai
Jungle that is 10k north of Takuapa. The side road
toward the Ban Jaa is well signed off of highway 4.
We pedaled down the dirt, pot holed road for about 1
kilometer and found the Ban Jaa abandoned and in
shambles. No one was around to enquire about
accommodations so we continued south on hwy 4
toward Takuapa.
At the north end of Takuapa town there is a sign for the
Extra Hotel located behind the Esso station on the right
side.
Another sleeping option is just south of the Extra Hotel
on the left side, the "Friendly Bungalows" (or
something like that. Well signed). The hot pink
bungalow complex is brand new and more are being
built. The hotel looks as if it may be the kind of place
used by trucker's as a "get away".
We stopped at the bus station/public market in
Takuapa and Rich met a British man that lives in town.
He recommended we continue south for about 15
miles (24 kilometers) to the beach town of Khao Lak
that has plenty of nice accommodations.
The ride toward Khao Lak continued to be undulated.
Khao Lak is a very touristy beach town. Mostly foreign
visitors stay here. Amenities of interest to travelers
such as tourist shops, tailors, bars, many nice
restaurants, hotels, dive shops are concentrated on the
main highway. Most buildings in this town are new and
construction is continuing. This is an area hit hard by
the tsunami of 2004. We arrived in Khao Lak around
1:30 p.m just as a tropical rain storm was beginning.
Plenty of internet cafés with hi-speed internet on hwy 4.
A bit pricey at 60 b (1.62) for 1 hour. But it was a
really fast connection.
Well stocked and lively open market with food vendors,
fresh fruit and vegetables, on the main highway just
south of the Bang Niang Beach road turn off next to the
7/11. Only sets up on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Slept - Bang Niang Emerald Guest house. Small two
floor hotel.
Cost - 700 b. ($18.91). This was the cheapest
accommodation we could find.
Location - Turn west off of hwy 4 toward Bang Niang
Beach. Emerald Guest house is on right side. Well
signed from hwy 4.
Amenities - Large, new room with tile floor, en suite
bath and hot shower, a/c, TV with no English channels.
No window.
Locked our bikes in a storage area next to the hotel.
Perfectly safe.
Accommodations in town - Plenty of accommodations
in town at the various beaches for all tastes and price
levels. Some very luxurious resorts are at the opposite
ends of town away from the ocean for good reason.
| Day 11 Khuraburi to Khao Lak Beach, Thailand 90 Kilometers / 56 Miles |
| Cycle Touring Routes > Thailand > Bangkok to Phuket > Day |