So today’s escapades began with a pleasant breakfast with new friends and was followed with the harmless plan of renting motor scooters in an effort to explore the island more efficiently. The plan proved to be a little more adventure oriented than we had originally anticipated to say the least.
We started by walking down to the local rental shop where we filled out the necessary paper work followed by an inspection of iron steeds for the day.
Bask in its power I dare you. I know I did. So much so that my legs couldn’t quite stay on the bike. In an effort to create some sort of wind resistance to slow down the incredible speeds that can be accomplished on the beast, I adopted the following riding technique.
After mastering this, Kristen was then able to utilize the room backseat. Our friend Kevin also accompanied us on this journey, which would be his first on board any motorized two-wheel transportation. More on that later.
Anyways, our goal for the day was to reach the viewpoint at the highest point on Koh Tao at approximately 310 meters. Driving through Maa Haad then Sairee, and then off onto the pot hole ridden dirt and gravel roads we went. The grade at some points being in the range of 40-60 degrees. Given the combined weight we carried between the two of us and our pack, there were some portions where the bike refused to negotiate the terrain, at which point Kristen dismounted and walked. Also, Kevin decided to ride the scooter down a hill underneath it at one point of the journey leaving a few scratches. It was a hard intro for any novice rider to say the least.
Finally, after a long and terrifying trip we reached our first viewpoint, a small abandoned bar at an overlook with yoga pillows and two sun chairs which we gladly took advantage of. The view was great but it was quite hot at this point of the day so we pressed on after a 5-10 minute break. Our next stop was fantastic. It was at this overlook that we decided to hold up for an hour or two, ordering a few smoothies and some lunch. I opted for the spaghetti chicken ( as it was called on the menu ). Apparently it was quite the ordeal to procure the spaghetti pasta, seeing how my food was delivered an hour later than Kristen and Kevin’s. Half an hour before it’s arrival, we observed one of the employees hiking up a package of spaghetti pasta up the side of the hill in the distance. I suppose this was indeed mine given the small number of visitors at this hilltop shack bar. The view was incredible though.
After engaging in a few fierce battles of Jenga and Connect Four we pressed on to descend the treacherous path we ascended earlier. Now if you have ridden, you will note that the most challenging part of riding a scooter/motorcycle/clown cycle is the decent when it comes down to rough terrain. To be successful, you must master the delicate dance between front and rear brakes to maintain control at steeper grades. Yet again, the joys of riding befell Kevin. His path down consisted of random horn beeping as he attempted to pull the machine out of the jungle in which he plunged, fish tailing, and us lifting the bike out of run off cracks in the dirt. Needless to say he emerged relatively untouched when considering how much worse it could have been.
After returning to the dive shop, me and Kristen decided we would travel atop Buddha rock for a front row viewing of a gorgeous sunset. Peaceful, rejuvenating, I could go on and on.
Such a beauty! Sunset was gorgeous as well!
During today’s little adventure I was reminded of a quote by Hans Christian Anderson’s autobiography.
“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,
To gain all while you give,
To roam the roads of lands remote,
To travel is to live.”
– Hans Christian Andersen.
It is truly a blessing to be here with the one I love.
Stay tuned for tomorrows update where we will be resuming our conservation efforts with seahorse surveys! Oh and I will be making another trek back to these areas with my go pro in action for those of you who want the full experience. Haha