The FIRST DAYS....

Two girls, two bikes and two babies (twins Audrey and Scarlett)

Getting the bikes over here was surprisingly easy. Everything went smoothly just as it would with checking in and picking up your back pack or suitcase. The only hitch was going through security. With each scan of my carry on pannier, an offending item was removed. I understand them confiscating the pocket knife (oops, who put that in there???) but the 10 cable ties and gaffa tape? When I queried this she said 'because they could be used to tie people up' I smiled to myself. Even Steven Segal in his prime could not have taken a plane hostage with 10 cable ties and 1/2 a roll of gaffa (especially with no pocket knife to cut the tape with). 'Interesting' I said, my imagination a flurry with just how this could be achieved. So as I ran to make the plane (yes again), I was thankful they didn't take my bike lock, occy straps and travelling clothesline....items which one would think would have made things much easier for Mr Segal to take a couple of hundred people hostage.

The garishness of Bangkok was amplified by the fact that we just wanted to get onto the bikes and  into more natural surrounds. So about 12 hrs after landing we were in a mini van heading to Pattaya. In Pattaya we stayed with some mates who are living there for a year and behind the walls of a luxurious gated community Kit rebuilt the bikes whilst I handed her allen keys and pumped up tyres. Thanks Kit for you bikey know how and Kelly and Ben for your hospitality.

Since very early this morning we have been awake and waiting for the sun to come up so we can head off and get this journey started. Today we will be driven to Laem Mae Phim, where we will begin our riding. The roads here in Pattaya are too crazy so we will head further east to a smaller beachside town with less traffic....we hope.....

Who says we are not prepared. We got a map....