Cycle Tour

I woke up this morning with such a headache from being out last night, yet I still managed to get down to breakfast on time, which inevitably did help me to feel loads better even though it was only a bit of toast. After I had breakfast, I made my way back upstairs to go back to bed for a few more hours so that I felt refreshed for the bike ride later. I ended up waking up around 11.00 and had no idea what I wanted to do with my free time till the bike ride at 3.30. Just as I was contemplating going back to bed and sleeping the time away, Lucy came into the room and said that they are going to the pool if I would like to join; initially I was still contemplating just going back to bed, but, in the end, I persuaded myself that it would be good to lay around the pool rather than just be lazy in bed all day. The pool was about a 5-minute walk away and at a different hotel on the rooftop; the pool looked stunning with a small overflow round the edge, which was covered in pebbles and there was also some elephant fountains that were squirting water across the pool. The pool was quite empty with a decent number of sunbeds around it so we could easily relax, although you had to lay on a

towel as the sunbeds were scorching hot. This was the moment that I discovered how difficult it would be to deal with my braided hair and the sun cream situation, due to the partings it meant that quite a bit of my head was on show, so I somehow had to apply sun cream to my partings in order for it to be okay; I opted for the dabbing method. I ended up quite enjoying my time around the pool and dipping in the water which felt so refreshing as the sun beamed on me. Although I did not want to, I had to leave at 2.00 to head back, grab some lunch and get changed ready for the bike ride. I was so nervous about the ride knowing that it was going to be on the roads, but I still promised myself I would give it a go. I mean if I can jump out of a plane and yet not ride a bike, what type of person am I?

I was surprised with how many English people dropped out with only 6 of us plus all the Dutch turning up to start the ride. The bike guide explained to us where we would go and what to expect to see; although I don’t think we saw a great deal of tourist attractions other than the palace and the old city wall. The guide explained how we would be using smaller back streets or walkways for our trip, not only to avoid the cars but also give us a slightly more back view of Bangkok. We set off in a group of 5 which consisted of all the English girls who chose to come; the 6th person was Jack, but he was in another group. Straightaway, as we started the tour, we

were going down very small alleyways which were only just over a meter wide and yet they were so busy with pedestrians, so it took quite a bit of control to stay straight and not hurt anyone. After this Katherine, Elle and Georgia from our group all headed back as they realised they were not confident enough to continue going through such tight spaces, this left just me, Daisy and the tour guide. The paths we took were very narrow and often, there were also motorbikes driving along them as well, except they had no patience with us and often tried squeezing by forcing us against the wall or to brake sharply. I was getting aggravated with the drivers if I am honest, just as they had no decency. Along the journey, we passed through a residential part of Bangkok where there were loads of children and kittens roaming around the street, I even saw one cat that was almost a spitting image of Truffles and yet I thought her colouring was completely unique. There were also people doing their washing-up in the street by their back door and chatting with their neighbours whilst they worked, it was quite a sight to see, plus the children were so excited seeing us cycle pass, they waved and said hello to us. Whilst on this tour we also got to stop for some snacks which were included, so our tour guide stopped at their equivalent of fast food which is a little trolley in the street which sold sticky rice with multiple skewers with chicken fillet, drumstick, wing, liver, intestine

(which looked like worm), bum and stomach! I had a couple of the fillets, a drumstick, wing and the bum (only as it looked like the most edible out of the odd ones), I was surprised by how fatty it tasted to be fair and I could not finish it due to the chewiness.

We ended up getting back to the shop just gone 7.00 and I ended up stealing the water bottle they gave us not realising we were meant to leave it at the shop but oh well, free souvenir. What I found fascinating as we cycled through Bangkok, was how bland all the colours are, with a lot of rundown buildings, yet then you come across their temples, they are filled with bright colours, incredible architecture and simply look like they belong somewhere different.
I felt so proud of myself for completing the bike ride and I realise that sounds silly, but after everything that has happened, I was pleased that I overcome my panic to get this experience even though I am sure it was more of a test of agility and balance down some of the roads/tight spaces than a pleasure ride.

Some people wanted to go out again tonight but there was not a chance I was going to make it, so after we got back to the hostel I crawled upstairs, took a shower and snuggled into bed with the air-con blowing into the room. I am one happy bunny right now getting an early night.