It was 20 years agone today... good almost... I used to practice lots of cycling when I was inwards my early on 20's, to a greater extent than oft than non alongside the York University cycling guild as well as after University alongside friends who had been there. In 1990, three of us did a 3½ calendar week 2,500km tour through France, the Pyrenees as well as into Spain. The photograph below is from that trip:
We were quite proud of ourselves for that trip which included 2 ascents of the Col Du Tourmalet, 2115m higher upwardly body of body of water level. 20 years ago. Back as well as thus I was rattling fit, as well as of cast 20 years younger than now. And most 25 kilos lighter. I don't recollect riding a bicycle to a greater extent than than a few hundred meters inwards the in conclusion 10 years. So, the trip I did in conclusion Fri felt similar quite an achievement, cycling 30km but about the isle of Koh Yao Noi, inwards Phang Nga Bay to the northeast of Phuket.
We went to Koh Yao Noi showtime fourth dimension some years agone on a twenty-four hours trip alongside the trouble solid unit of measurement as well as my parents (see day trip to Koh Yao Noi). It's a small-scale island, most 10km long, 4km wide, as well as although at that spot has been some tourism development, it's nonetheless rattling serenity as well as rattling dissimilar to the busier parts of Phuket. H5N1 larger island, Koh Yao Yai, is but south. The population of the 2 islands, but about 12,000, is largely Muslim alongside fishing, security as well as farming beingness the principal trades. 10 years agone at that spot would withdraw maintain been side past times side to no tourism here. Now at that spot are a couplet of (well hidden) resorts similar the Six Senses Hideaway as well as Paradise Koh Yao Resort, every bit good every bit a divulge of smaller bungalow as well as guesthouse fashion hotels. But mostly, it's rattling quiet.
Koh Yao Noi is ane of the trips offered past times a companionship ready past times a guy who I used to know. I meant to bring together ane of the trips for ages, but never seem to discovery the time. I should withdraw maintain learned past times now. You withdraw maintain to brand time. Time does non hold off for you.
Fri was a hot, hot day. Hint divulge 1 - if you lot sign upwardly for ane of these tours, brand sure you lot drinkable lots of H2O during the day. It was a scorcher. I met the minibus at Bang Rong Pier, which I know well. Our tour leader (who also runs a bar as well as eating seat at Kata Beach) had already loaded the bikes onto the giant longtail ferry that runs betwixt Bang Rong, inwards the northeast of Phuket, as well as the islands of Yao Yai as well as Yai Noi. First ferry out is 7:30am, in conclusion ane dorsum at most 4:30pm. We waited inwards a cafe at the pier for our 9:30am ferry.
And here's our trip leader:
Three other people were on the trip, a trouble solid unit of measurement from Oz (Mum, Dad as well as teenager). I was relieved to banknote that they did non expect likewise much similar mega-fit cyclists.. inwards fact I heard Mum maxim she'd non been on a bicycle for years. That was good, since the guide could offering us an easier route but about the island. If you lot are cycle mad, at that spot are tougher trails, heading off route over the hills.. as well as the highest quest inwards Koh Yao Noi is over 600 feet higher upwardly body of body of water level. Our ferry laid off for the 1 hr trip, stopping showtime at a pier inwards the northward of Koh Yao Yai as well as but 10 minutes after that nosotros arrived at Manao Pier, Koh Yao Noi.
I chatted alongside the Dad on the agency out. He makes electrical bikes dorsum domicile inwards Oz, as well as I was chuffed to listen that they had been reading this weblog earlier they came to Phuket! These 2 guys were sitting chatting on the roof of the ferry. Blue skies. Red as well as Yellow shirts. I wishing all cherry-red as well as yellowish shirts could but sit down as well as chat inwards the sunshine...
The guide introduced us to our bikes as well as nosotros laid off along Manao pier which extends some 300 meters out from the isle into H2O that's deep plenty for fully loaded boats to operate. Everything that is needed inwards Koh Yao Noi must come upwardly past times boat. This is the principal pier. On the agency dorsum a boat total of mattresses was beingness unloaded. Most of the people on the ferry alongside us had bags total of shopping, likely they'd taken the showtime ferry over to Phuket as well as had been to the local market.
Once off the pier, nosotros were on the "main road" inwards Koh Yao Noi. There are cars here, as well as plenty of mopeds, but fifty-fifty the principal route from the pier was serenity compared to but most whatever route inwards Phuket! We passed local houses - some are to a greater extent than solid, others are nonetheless made of traditional materials...
We shortly turned off this busy highway onto a side route heading to the due west side of the island. We passed past times security trees as well as fields. Koh Yao Noi is almost all given over to agriculture of some kind. In fact, fifty-fifty dorsum inwards Phuket at that spot are nonetheless huge areas of security plantations, pineapple groves, shrimp farms, palm trees - you lot but withdraw maintain to explore.. In Koh Yao Noi it's everywhere. On this road, a few mopeds passed us, as well as nosotros passed a local guy as well as his bike:
And some kids were calling "Hello!" from their house:
Typical roadside scenery - security trees as well as grazing goats:
Given the serenity roads, as well as the lack of major tourism, I was surprised to consider this sign past times the side of the route every bit nosotros turned onto an fifty-fifty quieter road...
Actually I did consider ane truck afterwards every bit nosotros rode dorsum to the pier.
My torso is for sure non used to cycling. The apartment roads were slow enough, but whatever slight incline was noticeable! The showtime 10km of the ride were non difficult at all, but every bit I said, it was a rattling hot twenty-four hours (this is the hottest fourth dimension of twelvemonth inwards Thailand), thus fifty-fifty slow riding was unloose energy sapping. Drinks breaks were all welcome - the bikes are all carrying a H2O bottle but if you lot withdraw maintain a trip I'd recommend carrying some to a greater extent than inwards your backpack.. at that spot are local shops but about the isle too, as well as nobody volition think you're a wuss for stopping to glug a tin give the axe of coke :)
(above) Koh Yao Noi's busy roads
(above) a drinks halt inwards the shade of security trees
On the due west side at that spot are mangroves as well as small-scale mangrove canals. We crossed a couplet of bridges as well as stopped at a small-scale line-fishing community. The ladies below are trying to strap a three human foot broad stingray to the dorsum of a moped. Can't state I withdraw maintain always eaten stingray, but consider them for sale at local markets inwards Phuket.
We rode for several miles upwardly the due west coast of Koh Yao Noi, alongside mangroves to our left as well as rice fields to the right, all looking a fleck dry out at this fourth dimension of year. This department was rattling hot alongside no shade.
The northwest corner of Koh Yao Noi was total of "shell farms" - nets hung out inwards the shallow waters nigh shore - shellfish grow on the nets. Beyond the nets you lot tin give the axe consider some islands to the North of Koh Yao Noi, the amazing limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay.
And but when nosotros all thought at that spot were no hills.. Well, nosotros had to acquire to the due east coast of Koh Yao Noi, alone a few kilometers but, yes, nosotros had to hitting a loma or two. Ouch! The "Jamie from 20 years ago" would withdraw maintain raced upwardly these hills trying to pip his mates to the summit.. The electrical flow version huffed as well as puffed as well as decided that pushing the bicycle for a piece was a pretty skillful idea. Just for a few minutes. Coz it was thus hot. So hot. And yes, I require to lose a few pounds :) The guide may withdraw maintain taken some photos of me struggling uphill.. I volition acquire his photos afterwards as well as shroud them. Here's the trouble solid unit of measurement after the "big climb", a overnice decent as well as some other small-scale uphill.. as well as hoping for a store selling H2O ice mutual frigidity drinks but just about the corner...
And Lo the store didst appear. And at that spot was much rejoicing as well as glugging of sugary liquids. I am non advertising Coca Cola, but at that spot are times inwards life when a mutual frigidity Coke is just what you lot need. We hitting the rattling pretty due east coast of Koh Yao Noi after climbing the "Col du Koh Yao", as well as this was ane of those Coca Cola moments.
As nosotros took a rest, nosotros were ambushed past times a local kid. HEY! It's non Songkran yet!
I suppose (unless you lot are a detail fan of mangroves) that the due east coast of Koh Yao Noi is the "pretty" side. You withdraw maintain some Beach in Thailandes, smashing views looking towards the Krabi coastline as well as small-scale islands dotted across the sea. The Beach in Thailandes are skillful for swimming at high tide, but rocky at depression tide. And yes, it's pretty.
We cycled most 5km along the due east coast. This is where you lot discovery the hotels, bungalows as well as guesthouses. Lunch was the target, as well as I must say, that after a couplet of hours inwards the saddle, I was pretty hungry! The guide told us 2km... yeh, the longest 2km I withdraw maintain always seen! We detoured off the route for a while...
Around 1pm nosotros hitting the "Sabai Corner" for lunch. We'd cycled 20km, which after many years of sluggish living, felt similar 100km! I blame the rut :) Sabai Corner is a lovely place, cool as well as shaded, as well as the nutrient was skillful - nosotros had dishes of Masaman curry, chicken alongside cashew nuts, vegetables inwards oyster sauce as well as tom kha gai. And lots of water. There was no rush. Our guide told us nosotros had alone but about 10km after luncheon as well as nosotros opted for the "no hills" version :) The ferry was due to move out at 4pm thus nosotros could withdraw maintain plenty of fourth dimension to balance as well as taste lunch.
The long luncheon intermission was much appreciated. The route dorsum to Manao Pier was the busiest nosotros encountered on the trip.. something similar a province lane inwards England, but at that spot were several minibuses as well as the aforementioned truck. And goats inwards a sidecar.
Koh Yao Noi is, as well as I think volition proceed to be, saved from overspill tourism from Phuket because it is a truthful island. You gotta withdraw maintain the large ol' longtail ferry to acquire there.. well, at that spot are some speedboats too. But no bridge, no flights. Koh Yao Noi remains a serenity house to explore. I am already planning a see alongside the family. I know nosotros tin give the axe withdraw maintain the ferry as well as hire a couplet of mopeds at that spot (250 Baht per day). Or perhaps withdraw maintain a moped ourselves.... on our outbound as well as furnish trips at that spot were motorbikes on the ferry - here's a moped beingness loaded onto the ferry at Manao pier:
We had some other drinkable at the jetty. H5N1 lady was selling H2O ice tea as well as H2O ice coffee. The H2O ice tea was most welcome. And, every bit mentioned, mattresses were beingness unloaded from a boat...
We posed for a in conclusion photograph at the pier earlier heading dorsum to Phuket...
Great day. I dear the to a greater extent than remote areas but about Phuket as well as promise to see Koh Yao Noi in ane lawsuit again soon. On a moped :) - Anyone wanting to sense something off the beaten track, Koh Yao Noi is a skillful option. They also withdraw maintain trips but about the serenity countryside inwards the northward of Phuket as well as inwards the expanse betwixt Phuket as well as Khao Lak.. they also withdraw maintain multi twenty-four hours cycling trips for the rattling keen. You practice require to move vaguely tally as well as good for you lot for ane of these twenty-four hours trips. We did 30km, to a greater extent than oft than non fairly apartment roads, but the rut was unloose energy sapping. I enjoyed the day, enjoyed the friendly people inwards Koh Yao Noi, smashing views, as well as happy to know that I tin give the axe nonetheless sit down on a bicycle for a few hours! Sumber http://jamie-monk.blogspot.com
We were quite proud of ourselves for that trip which included 2 ascents of the Col Du Tourmalet, 2115m higher upwardly body of body of water level. 20 years ago. Back as well as thus I was rattling fit, as well as of cast 20 years younger than now. And most 25 kilos lighter. I don't recollect riding a bicycle to a greater extent than than a few hundred meters inwards the in conclusion 10 years. So, the trip I did in conclusion Fri felt similar quite an achievement, cycling 30km but about the isle of Koh Yao Noi, inwards Phang Nga Bay to the northeast of Phuket.
We went to Koh Yao Noi showtime fourth dimension some years agone on a twenty-four hours trip alongside the trouble solid unit of measurement as well as my parents (see day trip to Koh Yao Noi). It's a small-scale island, most 10km long, 4km wide, as well as although at that spot has been some tourism development, it's nonetheless rattling serenity as well as rattling dissimilar to the busier parts of Phuket. H5N1 larger island, Koh Yao Yai, is but south. The population of the 2 islands, but about 12,000, is largely Muslim alongside fishing, security as well as farming beingness the principal trades. 10 years agone at that spot would withdraw maintain been side past times side to no tourism here. Now at that spot are a couplet of (well hidden) resorts similar the Six Senses Hideaway as well as Paradise Koh Yao Resort, every bit good every bit a divulge of smaller bungalow as well as guesthouse fashion hotels. But mostly, it's rattling quiet.
Koh Yao Noi is ane of the trips offered past times a companionship ready past times a guy who I used to know. I meant to bring together ane of the trips for ages, but never seem to discovery the time. I should withdraw maintain learned past times now. You withdraw maintain to brand time. Time does non hold off for you.
Fri was a hot, hot day. Hint divulge 1 - if you lot sign upwardly for ane of these tours, brand sure you lot drinkable lots of H2O during the day. It was a scorcher. I met the minibus at Bang Rong Pier, which I know well. Our tour leader (who also runs a bar as well as eating seat at Kata Beach) had already loaded the bikes onto the giant longtail ferry that runs betwixt Bang Rong, inwards the northeast of Phuket, as well as the islands of Yao Yai as well as Yai Noi. First ferry out is 7:30am, in conclusion ane dorsum at most 4:30pm. We waited inwards a cafe at the pier for our 9:30am ferry.
And here's our trip leader:
Three other people were on the trip, a trouble solid unit of measurement from Oz (Mum, Dad as well as teenager). I was relieved to banknote that they did non expect likewise much similar mega-fit cyclists.. inwards fact I heard Mum maxim she'd non been on a bicycle for years. That was good, since the guide could offering us an easier route but about the island. If you lot are cycle mad, at that spot are tougher trails, heading off route over the hills.. as well as the highest quest inwards Koh Yao Noi is over 600 feet higher upwardly body of body of water level. Our ferry laid off for the 1 hr trip, stopping showtime at a pier inwards the northward of Koh Yao Yai as well as but 10 minutes after that nosotros arrived at Manao Pier, Koh Yao Noi.
I chatted alongside the Dad on the agency out. He makes electrical bikes dorsum domicile inwards Oz, as well as I was chuffed to listen that they had been reading this weblog earlier they came to Phuket! These 2 guys were sitting chatting on the roof of the ferry. Blue skies. Red as well as Yellow shirts. I wishing all cherry-red as well as yellowish shirts could but sit down as well as chat inwards the sunshine...
The guide introduced us to our bikes as well as nosotros laid off along Manao pier which extends some 300 meters out from the isle into H2O that's deep plenty for fully loaded boats to operate. Everything that is needed inwards Koh Yao Noi must come upwardly past times boat. This is the principal pier. On the agency dorsum a boat total of mattresses was beingness unloaded. Most of the people on the ferry alongside us had bags total of shopping, likely they'd taken the showtime ferry over to Phuket as well as had been to the local market.
Once off the pier, nosotros were on the "main road" inwards Koh Yao Noi. There are cars here, as well as plenty of mopeds, but fifty-fifty the principal route from the pier was serenity compared to but most whatever route inwards Phuket! We passed local houses - some are to a greater extent than solid, others are nonetheless made of traditional materials...
We shortly turned off this busy highway onto a side route heading to the due west side of the island. We passed past times security trees as well as fields. Koh Yao Noi is almost all given over to agriculture of some kind. In fact, fifty-fifty dorsum inwards Phuket at that spot are nonetheless huge areas of security plantations, pineapple groves, shrimp farms, palm trees - you lot but withdraw maintain to explore.. In Koh Yao Noi it's everywhere. On this road, a few mopeds passed us, as well as nosotros passed a local guy as well as his bike:
And some kids were calling "Hello!" from their house:
Typical roadside scenery - security trees as well as grazing goats:
Given the serenity roads, as well as the lack of major tourism, I was surprised to consider this sign past times the side of the route every bit nosotros turned onto an fifty-fifty quieter road...
Actually I did consider ane truck afterwards every bit nosotros rode dorsum to the pier.
My torso is for sure non used to cycling. The apartment roads were slow enough, but whatever slight incline was noticeable! The showtime 10km of the ride were non difficult at all, but every bit I said, it was a rattling hot twenty-four hours (this is the hottest fourth dimension of twelvemonth inwards Thailand), thus fifty-fifty slow riding was unloose energy sapping. Drinks breaks were all welcome - the bikes are all carrying a H2O bottle but if you lot withdraw maintain a trip I'd recommend carrying some to a greater extent than inwards your backpack.. at that spot are local shops but about the isle too, as well as nobody volition think you're a wuss for stopping to glug a tin give the axe of coke :)
(above) Koh Yao Noi's busy roads
(above) a drinks halt inwards the shade of security trees
On the due west side at that spot are mangroves as well as small-scale mangrove canals. We crossed a couplet of bridges as well as stopped at a small-scale line-fishing community. The ladies below are trying to strap a three human foot broad stingray to the dorsum of a moped. Can't state I withdraw maintain always eaten stingray, but consider them for sale at local markets inwards Phuket.
We rode for several miles upwardly the due west coast of Koh Yao Noi, alongside mangroves to our left as well as rice fields to the right, all looking a fleck dry out at this fourth dimension of year. This department was rattling hot alongside no shade.
The northwest corner of Koh Yao Noi was total of "shell farms" - nets hung out inwards the shallow waters nigh shore - shellfish grow on the nets. Beyond the nets you lot tin give the axe consider some islands to the North of Koh Yao Noi, the amazing limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay.
And but when nosotros all thought at that spot were no hills.. Well, nosotros had to acquire to the due east coast of Koh Yao Noi, alone a few kilometers but, yes, nosotros had to hitting a loma or two. Ouch! The "Jamie from 20 years ago" would withdraw maintain raced upwardly these hills trying to pip his mates to the summit.. The electrical flow version huffed as well as puffed as well as decided that pushing the bicycle for a piece was a pretty skillful idea. Just for a few minutes. Coz it was thus hot. So hot. And yes, I require to lose a few pounds :) The guide may withdraw maintain taken some photos of me struggling uphill.. I volition acquire his photos afterwards as well as shroud them. Here's the trouble solid unit of measurement after the "big climb", a overnice decent as well as some other small-scale uphill.. as well as hoping for a store selling H2O ice mutual frigidity drinks but just about the corner...
And Lo the store didst appear. And at that spot was much rejoicing as well as glugging of sugary liquids. I am non advertising Coca Cola, but at that spot are times inwards life when a mutual frigidity Coke is just what you lot need. We hitting the rattling pretty due east coast of Koh Yao Noi after climbing the "Col du Koh Yao", as well as this was ane of those Coca Cola moments.
As nosotros took a rest, nosotros were ambushed past times a local kid. HEY! It's non Songkran yet!
I suppose (unless you lot are a detail fan of mangroves) that the due east coast of Koh Yao Noi is the "pretty" side. You withdraw maintain some Beach in Thailandes, smashing views looking towards the Krabi coastline as well as small-scale islands dotted across the sea. The Beach in Thailandes are skillful for swimming at high tide, but rocky at depression tide. And yes, it's pretty.
We cycled most 5km along the due east coast. This is where you lot discovery the hotels, bungalows as well as guesthouses. Lunch was the target, as well as I must say, that after a couplet of hours inwards the saddle, I was pretty hungry! The guide told us 2km... yeh, the longest 2km I withdraw maintain always seen! We detoured off the route for a while...
Around 1pm nosotros hitting the "Sabai Corner" for lunch. We'd cycled 20km, which after many years of sluggish living, felt similar 100km! I blame the rut :) Sabai Corner is a lovely place, cool as well as shaded, as well as the nutrient was skillful - nosotros had dishes of Masaman curry, chicken alongside cashew nuts, vegetables inwards oyster sauce as well as tom kha gai. And lots of water. There was no rush. Our guide told us nosotros had alone but about 10km after luncheon as well as nosotros opted for the "no hills" version :) The ferry was due to move out at 4pm thus nosotros could withdraw maintain plenty of fourth dimension to balance as well as taste lunch.
The long luncheon intermission was much appreciated. The route dorsum to Manao Pier was the busiest nosotros encountered on the trip.. something similar a province lane inwards England, but at that spot were several minibuses as well as the aforementioned truck. And goats inwards a sidecar.
Koh Yao Noi is, as well as I think volition proceed to be, saved from overspill tourism from Phuket because it is a truthful island. You gotta withdraw maintain the large ol' longtail ferry to acquire there.. well, at that spot are some speedboats too. But no bridge, no flights. Koh Yao Noi remains a serenity house to explore. I am already planning a see alongside the family. I know nosotros tin give the axe withdraw maintain the ferry as well as hire a couplet of mopeds at that spot (250 Baht per day). Or perhaps withdraw maintain a moped ourselves.... on our outbound as well as furnish trips at that spot were motorbikes on the ferry - here's a moped beingness loaded onto the ferry at Manao pier:
We had some other drinkable at the jetty. H5N1 lady was selling H2O ice tea as well as H2O ice coffee. The H2O ice tea was most welcome. And, every bit mentioned, mattresses were beingness unloaded from a boat...
We posed for a in conclusion photograph at the pier earlier heading dorsum to Phuket...
Great day. I dear the to a greater extent than remote areas but about Phuket as well as promise to see Koh Yao Noi in ane lawsuit again soon. On a moped :) - Anyone wanting to sense something off the beaten track, Koh Yao Noi is a skillful option. They also withdraw maintain trips but about the serenity countryside inwards the northward of Phuket as well as inwards the expanse betwixt Phuket as well as Khao Lak.. they also withdraw maintain multi twenty-four hours cycling trips for the rattling keen. You practice require to move vaguely tally as well as good for you lot for ane of these twenty-four hours trips. We did 30km, to a greater extent than oft than non fairly apartment roads, but the rut was unloose energy sapping. I enjoyed the day, enjoyed the friendly people inwards Koh Yao Noi, smashing views, as well as happy to know that I tin give the axe nonetheless sit down on a bicycle for a few hours! Sumber http://jamie-monk.blogspot.com