Scooter babes

Scooter babes!
Hard to keep track of what day we are on:). Slept in til 830 then headed to the pool to have coffee ....keeping in the shade. Kristen woke feeling better, we had a little celebration that the Gyn sing bought at good ol 7 eleven worked it's magic overnight.

Chels researched our options for adventure today. Our choices were long tailed boat to go check out beaches up the east coastline, jeep rental, or rent scooters. We walked to see what we could find out and after chatting with 2 young girls who had just rented a scooter, we felt that was the best choice for us. We stopped at the bike shop across the street from our hotel. 150 baht per bike for 24 hours =6 cad bucks per bike and then about 100 baht per bike for gas = 4 bucks. We each did a trial run. Decided best to go with only 2 bikes and put Chels on the back of Tracy's bike. Rental guys assured us once we got past the very hilly, windy, sharp turns of the first 3 kms we would be smooth sailing to go all the way up the east coastline to a beautiful beach on the northern tip of the island. About 45 mins. ....they said.

We walked back to the room to contemplate the pros and cons. (Not being avid bikers at home, and knowing that many travellers can get pretty scratched up on bikes ..risk vs reward)..We put on runners, covered our backs and drenched ourselves with sun tan lotion. Most would say renting scooters was incredibly stupid, some would think of it as adventurous.  We preferred to think of it as the latter. Stomachs in our throats, We started out with the rules that k would follow tracy keeping a good distance in case of a quick stop. One long beep from our scooter horns would mean trouble. Chelsey was to be the navigator and encourager and do all his while sitting very still on the back of the bike. She was to always keep reinforcing to tracy to stay on the Left side of the road! Slow and steady was the key and faking confidence would soon make us confident. We said that no matter what we had to focus on our own driving and stay calm when the crazy Thai cabs and motorbikes whipped around us. No Panicking!

Noon and we headed out. First 3 kms was for sure the most adventurous. The scooters worked hard to climb the steep hills. The guy at the rental shop assured us they would never conk out and roll backwards and who wouldn't believe a Thai guy!!! Downwards was for me the most scary with the brake Torked as tight as it would go praying the brakes held. My hands were sweating so bad that it was  all I could do to keep a firm grip - not to mention sliding around on the seat from the pool of sweat on my legs. Chelsey constantly giving words of encouragement to me  (no doubt out of fear for her own life) and giving Kristen the thumbs up.

We pulled over at the first flat spot high up on a lookout point. Amazing view, mango shake and time to calm ourselves. Kristen awfully quiet, still faking the confidence thing. Somewhat rattled that her one rear view mirror was loose so she couldn't see traffic behind her. We told her that chels had one mirror locked on her on our bike and I had the other side. If there got to be a line of traffic behind her we would pull over and let them pass. Chelsey pleased so far with things and Tracy thankful that she grew up riding a 75 Suzuki at the farm ;)

Ride definitely got easier as we got onto flat and decent paved roads. Stopped at a viewpoint of a fancy hotel and had a visit with a fellow from Capetown, South Africa. We shared stories, he asked about the fires at fort Mac! That impressed us that he was keeping up to date with the news from our part of the world.) obviously the fires are serious enough to be discussed with other travellers in Thailand. He told us that Capetown was named the most beautiful city in the world although he had no idea who decided on that. He told us of a quaint bakery down the road with great food. 130 and this would be the first food of the day. Fear has a way of suppressing the appetite :)

15 mins later we parked our bikes in front of the bakery. Awesome food and a much needed break from the +40.
We kept on .. The northern coastal rode was really nice. Less traffic and weaved in and out of coast and villages.

We arrived to our destination. A beautiful beach on the northern part of the island.  It was an adventure to get to this beach and we made it by 3. (45 mins he said?! Lol.. Took us cautious bikers three hours with stops along the way. We swam to cool our roasting bodies. Tracy swam in her clothes. No time to linger with the fear of the sun going down before we made it back.

We had a much better pace on the way back because we were more confident, we knew what lay ahead and the motivation of getting back before sunset.

Somehow we missed a major turn and spent a bit of time on a non-paved road.   We had gotten away from the coastline and were among the jungle  with very little activity. Already a little nervous and trying to beat the sun we pulled over. Mom and Kristen were pretty sure we had come this way as mom swore she saw "that family before " ? Lol..I was almost certain we had not come this way-it is very easy to get disorientated here. Ironically a white couple on a bike came out of nowhere. We flagged them down and they were lost as well. Together we navigated our way back to the coastal road.
Adrenaline pumping, mom and Kristen confidently drove their bikes up and down steep roads, through villages  and busy towns. I am so proud of them.  Even though we talk about the fear and nerves, there were also lots of positive moments of accomplishment, ease, adrenaline and beauty. The ride was a nice journey with gorgeous scenery around every bend.

We stopped at a beach close to home (Rin beach bungalows) and found a treehouse bar - yes up a huge tree. The coolest bar with the Bob Marley theme. Had the best mango shake yet for 50 baht. Less than 2 bucks.   Onwards home where Chelsey guided us flawlessly back to our resort by 6, just before sunset! Thank you God for getting us home safely! I was torn with loving this adventure but realized how dangerous it had been. one daughter on the back of my bike and the other driving a bike following my lead....on an island off Thailand. Phew!!!

To the pool we went to lay in the water, have a drink and let the stress go, feeling relieved that no one got injured and we were able to see the island from a new perspective. im still very impressed that my 54 year old mom and my beginner biker sister were brave enough to bike along a coastal rode in Thailand! :)

Went to the sunset beach to sit at an outdoor restaurant, cool down with the breeze and enjoy our Thai supper.

A stop at 7 eleven to get food for our early departure Tomorrow, packed up and in bed by 10. Sweet dreams!!!!!!