Chumphon – Hua Hin

29th March 2014 280km 34’C

An early morning breakfast by the sea in Chumphon, before heading up the highway to Hua Hin.   I had a bit of a situation at the first petrol stop, when I asked the pump attendant to fill my tank, then realised I didn’t actually have any cash.  There was much deliberation and discussion as they didn’t accept credit cards.  The pump was stopped and I tried to explain that I’d leave my drivers license with them while I went till get cash from an ATM. (hoping there was one nearby).  That didn’t seem acceptable, and my licence was given back to me.

Then all of a sudden after another flurry of discussion amongst the service station staff, the pump was started again and they preceded to fill the tank.  It was soon close to full, so I told them that was enough, to which I was told “no, you must take at least 500 baht of fuel, so we can accept credit card”.
So they filled the tank to the absolute brim… Which came to a total of 501 baht.   Perfect.  I don’t know what would have happened if it didn’t fit!

Passed a beautiful temple on the way and stopped for photos, before pulling into Hua Hin town at around 1pm.   After a quick lunch by the beach, I went for a massage to try and ease the tightness in my shoulders that I get when riding highways.  Followed by a swim in the beautiful sea.  Hua Hin is kitesurfing central, with a great constant onshore breeze, so the sky is filled with kites, and the shore filled with a mix of Thai families and western tourists.  

Dinner was in the Hua Hin night market, where when the police arrived, the waitress ran over and took away my empty beer bottle, proclaiming loudly, for the cop to hear “sorry, I shouldn’t sell you alcohol today, because it’s not allowed”.  Lucky I’d finished it!   When the cop was gone, she came back over and told me it was because of the elections, and she tries to keep her customers happy.

Friendly and happy.  Quintessentially Thai.