Hey Duane,

Your itinerary looks spot on. Definitely go for the east islands rather than the west if you have to pick one. Phuket is way more overcrowded than the east.

In terms of a party, Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan will still be good fun even if it’s not the full/half moon party. There will still be all the fire shows, etc. It’s worth stoppping off on your way to Ko Tao. If you do choose to go then consider Sarikantang [/url] for a night of luxury. Rooms start at about £40 but it’s worth every penny – check our the website.

Another option for Pha Ngan is a boat tour around the island, stopping at Bottle beach and other bays with snorkelling, etc. There’s a guy who runs one trip called Munchies which I recommend, especially if you like a smoke. 🙂

Another vote for Shark Bay on Ko Tao too.

Enjoy your trip – I’m about to head for the airport for trip to Thailand myself, only a 3 day trip for me though.

B

If you’re trying to save cash, also check out couchsurfing.org. It’s a network of people who let you stay on their couch (or spare room in our case) for free. Not only is it free, it’s a great way of meeting people and getting the lowdown on areas from locals.

Hi Duane.

I live in Singapore and have travelled quite a lot in Malaysia & Thailand.

Couple of suggestions.

For the islands, consider Langkawi (NW Malaysia) first. From Langkawi you can then get a boat to Ko Ra Wi and Ko A Dang. They’re much more unspoilt and undeveloped that Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, etc. Your Baht will also go further.

If you can time it right, it is still worth seeing a full moon party at Koh Phangan, especially if you head on north to Ko Tao afterwards. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security with regard to drug use though (if that’s even your thing), mushrooms are legal but everything else is most definitely not.

If you do get to Chiang Mai consider heading on north to Pai (pronounced Pie), it’s more unspoilt and relaxed than Chiang Mai.

Be careful at the border of Malaysia & Thailand. Southern Thailand is potentially dangerous so keep your wits about you. I’d personally avoid the far south of Thailand by taking the ferry north from Ko A Dang.

If you’ve got any specific questions feel free to drop me a line (email in profile).

Ben

My bad!

The acquisition of SPD shoes of such ability are the appropriate shoes for me and afore I buy as I am an alert and an approachable person, I will acquisition it simple to abatement in love.

Reported…

Fantastic to see you out on your new bike.

Such a good thread, kudos to you all for getting Kunstler back on the hills.

Cheers for the info (and giggles).

Definitely worth setting up an eBay search for your area. You can set an alert that will email you with any new listings. My Yeti also turned up on eBay a few months after it was stolen so there is hope!

Hope you get it back.

Tampines bike park, Singapore.

I’d delete this post

Me too.

It’s not west but I’d suggest Low Wray[/url]. Very tranquil, great location. The only thing that disturbed us was a family of ducks one morning quacking outside the tent. 🙂

The only downside is you can’t book so have to get there early.

I’ve sent you an email.

Thanks Shackleton.

Is the GF3 tricky to use with big hands? Whilst my sister does indeed have proper lady hands; her husband, who most certainly has big man hands, would also want to use it…

Just borrow your friend’s tyres?

Peed – Keanu Reaves has a little accident.

2001: A Pace Odyssey – A particularly long film about a runner who is often in front but never seems to win any races.

Das Boo – A group of Germans voicing their disappointment

If garrrrpirate falls through, let me know – I can possibly arrange getting you one.

B

Just to echo globalti’s comments. It really can be worth reporting bad driving. One instance was where I’d been given abuse and forced off the road for no reason by a boy racer. After calling in with a complaint the West Yorkshire police popped round to dicuss the issue with the driver.

Turned out that it was his dad’s car who was none to impressed with the visit from plod. Said boy racer won’t be driving daddy’s car again – result! 🙂

I asked this a while ago and ended up plumping for the Islabike Rothan. My nephew loves it.

start listening about a minute in to lose the repetitive intro:

On brief! 🙂

Ultegra it is… Thanks teeto

It deserves some road pedals too.

I do quite the opposite. Much better that you be the one who chooses when to do the disturbing IMO

As do I.

I also get stuck into the bloody marys.

I’d thought the very same thing. Most odd.

To all those with the Lezyne. Any one got a red one? Is it as pink as it appear on Chain Reaction?

Ta

Hey Rich,

Sounds like you’ll be sorted for a guide as your friend lives here but if you have any questions post away or drop me a mail.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Cheers, Ben

I’ve never seen spokes break there – always at an end. What are you doing to them?

Not doing anything, other than riding on them. Just like Trail Rat I had a load go on the rear wheel which needed to be rebuilt. Hope were really good though and sent me replacements out for the rear.

Now happening to the front wheel too. The problem is I’m in Singapore and can’t get spares so reliant on Hope in the UK again. Annoying, I want to ride it!

Love their hubs, it’s the spokes I keep having an issue with:

🙁

Dodgy! They wouldn’t be getting a penny of my money. I particularly like the top of the contact us page:

Happy shopping! If you have any question about the pay, please contact us!

Expat shield will allow you to stream…

I’m hoping for a better display from England.

Hi Rich,

Between KL and Singapore I’d choose Singapore every time, but I do live here so a little biased!

If you think the food isn’t good in Singapore, you’ve been eating in the wrong places! Chewkw: I reckon you can easily get Malay food that’s as good, if not better, than KL.

There is more to Singapore than endless air conditioned malls (though there are plenty of them, granted).

There are a couple of posts on Singapore here that have some good info:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/singapore

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-to-do-in-singapore

Feel free to ask on here or send me an email if you have any specific questions!

If your budget allows I would also suggest visiting Hong Kong. There is more to see and do there compared to Singapore, but Singapore will easily keep you amused for a weekend.

34 C outside at present. The AC gets the lounge down to a comfortable 25 C though. 🙂

Absolutely agree. Just about to jump on mine and head home in the afternoon sunshine.

LOL @ “one big round”.

All went well with the passport in the end. No one so much as raised an eyebrow apart from the Thai immigration officer on the way out of Thailand; he just asked me if I’d washed it and chuckled.

I think I’ll risk it this weekend too and then send off for a replacement.

Mine turned up on the Broadleas when it was pinched in Bramley.

Definitely worth a bit of a walk/drive about as Ton suggests.

Mine, though spotted a couple of times being ridden in Leeds when first stolen, was eventually recovered 3 months later when it turned up on eBay. Don’t lose all hope and set up a few local eBay searches that can email you any matches daily.

Good luck getting it back.

Manx end to end a few years ago for me.

PPS was pretty epic too. I’d love to do the Cristalp some day.

I was living in Singapore when it happened coincidentally. My prediction is you will hear “cannot” a lot if you ask the airline!

I’m hoping for “Can lah, board already”.

There’s been a top bit of Singlish stickering recently

I might pop to the airport on the way home and have a word with the airline.

I think I’m going to chance the weekend trip. It’s drying out nicely and apart from a couple of pages where entry/exit stamps have really run it’s not looking too bad. Fingers crossed.

Will update this thread with how I get on on Friday, hopefully from the right side of Thai immigration. 😀