First Fall on the 660lbs Machine in Thailand | Day 2 – 3
Day 2 – 3 | 21st – 22nd May 2016
I carried on my journey from Color Hotel in Hatyai to Don Sak Ferry Pier (to get a ferry to Koh Tao Island from Seatran Ferry Pier in Surat Thani).
Distance: 320km+.
I woke up late and started my trip at around 12pm. Since I am already exhausted from the previous day on the road for more than 12 hours, its ok for me to sleep more, I told myself.
I might or might not reach reach Seatran Pier on the same day before sunset ( I am not going to move on the road when the sun sets), it depends on what I encounter and also the road conditions. I will see where I stop when the sunlight diminishes. I was prepared to sleep in my tent already if I do not reach the pier.
Pumped petrol at a Family Run petrol station and stopped there awhile as it was raining heavily. Made a few friends there, added each other on facebook and carried on my journey when the rain became lighter.
Twilight came and I was still eager to carry on my journey as I remembered it was about an hour more. I was trailing a car in front of me (safe distance), and I did not notice that he went off the main proper road (as it was pretty dark already). I followed the car and I realised the road became 100% gravel and rocks all of a sudden (Under construction).
It was also mildly drizzling and I started to struggle to balance the fully loaded bike (Full load and empty has alot of difference in balancing at slow speed) the moment the front wheel went on these gravels. I told myself, I have to get out of this gravel and back onto the main road. Struggling to move and balance at the same time at a walking pace.
Within 10 meters, the vehicle toppled. Darn. No problem for 4 wheels, but a heck of a problem on 2 wheels. I thank myself for wearing my safety PPE properly. Not a single scratch. First body part that landed on the road was my Elbow (padded), followed by my palm (Gloved). A slow speed fall (though the drop was fast) but it was pretty scary to fall off as this is my first time falling off from this bike.
The car driver whom I tailed came out of his car and he actually helped me to lift up the bike, along with this wife. 1 problem solved on a pretty slippery surface. I dont think I could lift up 660lbs on this kind of road condition. I barely have proper grip even when walking on these kind of gravel.
We took about 20mins to push the bike out of the gravels. It wasnt far at all to the main road, but due to the weight of the bike and the crappy road condition, it took long even for 3 people to push the bike back onto proper asphalt. I even took out my 2 side boxes and duffle bag (Clipped onto the pillion seat).
It made things easier, though it was still difficult to guide this machine back onto the proper road. It really seem easy just at the look of it, but everything is always said easier, than done. Until one is in that situation.
About an hour later, after I checked everything and it was fine to carry on (albeit with dent and scratches on my crash bar and side box) , I bid them farewell and I carried on my journey to Don Sak. Thats the point of crashbars, a worthy investment.
As I was still recovering from the shock and thinking about what just happened [along with the continuous drizzle and it was already night time, I was going very slowly (Around 40km/hour)].
A small pick up truck (Class 3) came up from behind and kept on high beaming me. I thought to myself: What the hell is wrong with this guy? Is there a problem with him? I am already giving him way, I shifted to the side of the road to let him pass, yet he repeatedly high beamed me still. Something is wrong. I slowed down within few minutes and he finally caught up.
To my amazement, it was the family that I hanged out with in the petrol station back in the day! They managed to catch me up coincidentally as I had a stupid fall due to inexperience.
The first thing Pok said (With basic english) was, “come stay with us today”, It is too dark and dangerous to drive on the road at night! A smile immediately appeared on my face and I agreed.
I was invited to dinner with Pok and his family too. I am glad I stopped at their petrol station in the day, if not this would not have happened! What a sumptuous home cooked meal! This is my first ever time eating and staying with a Thai family.
This is the first time I will be living in a strangers home and I need to have an open mind to do it, if not I would be losing out. I have nothing to lose anyway. I used to be afraid of everybody. An introvert I would say, especially when I was young. The same almost goes to my Sister, until then we get to meet more people in our life, we started to open up slowly.
I slept in Pok’s home for the night. Managed to hand wash my clothes and gears, fully charged my stuffs. I bid them farewell, as I carry on my journey to Don Sak, Surat Thani the following day. This is unbelievable for a start of my trip. Never did I expect this. This trip has opened me up even in the beginning.
Just before I left their home, Pok’s dad gave me an amulet and a buddhist necklace. He told me to keep it in hand and it would keep me safe. I am a Freethinker and but with an open mind, I accepted it.
As of April 2021 re-updating this blog, I am still holding his 2 sacred items. I would visit them again when the world gets back to the norm.