Resort Life and $5 Freedom (Thailand)

The only reason I chose to go/come to Ko Lanta first was that I determined it was the best possible base to dive my chosen sites in Thailand. Ko Lanta also turns out to be favorite of traveling low budget “backpackers” and in a few instances higher spending folks too.

I see the attraction but I don't particularly desire it myself – no matter the price. Frankly, hanging out at a resort or on the beach everyday gets boring. I recalled my tour around Australia. Visiting beaches got tiresome. I was starting to feel a little restless / trapped at my resort on Ko Lanta even though I did manage to do something different everyday. I guess that is a sign that it is time to move on.

....that is until I finally mustered the courage to rent a small 125cc motorcycle to tour the island. 200Baht / US$5 being the damage for this pleasure. As I motorbiked around the island on the mostly empty coastal roads the thrill of exploration revived itself. Ahh...the vistas and freedom. -- After that, I certainly could have stayed a few more days. --

Motorcycle Touring

While I have taken a motorcycle training course and got my license in the US, I never did buy a motorcycle. Thus, my practical experience and confidence is minimal. The last time I rode one was in Northern Thailand last year. I usually prefer quiet bicycling to motorcycling. Not realistic on Ko Lanta as I soon realized with crappy roads, many hills, and longer distances.

As for mustering up the courage...really.....how much courage does one need when you see everyone riding one. Young kids, people wearing flip flops, moms with small children, old grannies. All mostly without helmets to boot. Probably without insurance too.

I realized this time (I went solo this time whereas in Northern Thailand last year I rode around with a couple of Americans and a Danish girl) that a motorcycle is such a great way to get off the beaten path and go to seldom visited places. I enjoyed the experience so much that I am even contemplating doing some motorcycle touring in the future. In the Travelers on the Road section there are a few websites of people who toured the world (Or parts of it) via motorcycle. I also met a young Dutch guy last year in Nepal (Taking a break with his girlfriend) who bought a motorcycle in India and had been riding around India for 8 months. I thought all of them were a little crazy. Let me put the emphasis on the past tense – thought.

A car is good too, but something about a motorcycle....

Maybe you think I am crazy for quitting my job and going traveling - today. Today's craziness for you is tomorrow's normal state of affairs. Airplanes, radio, televisions, computers, mobile phones, flat panel displays, DNA, etc....unthinkable to all but a few (If any) +/- 125 years ago. This is just talking technology. Think of all the social upheavals. One of the craziest things about America is how people are satisfied with such limited vacation time contrary to many other similar economic level countries.

Our world is crazy. I love it, and hate it at the same time.