'Hey, do you smell that?' 'Yeah' 'That's more like it' 'Yeah'



Matt waits patiently on the ferry to leave Malaysia, and arrive in Thailand







On Boxing Day, the ferry into Thailand was short and sweet, barely 5 minutes.  Matt and Alyssa had only a small river to cross and before the morning was over, they both had a new stamp in their passports.  



Matt and Alyssa were stoked when they had a cycle lane for the majority of the ride in Southern Thailand



This is what the road was like, cycle lane and little traffic



 The South East of Thailand includes four provinces that comprise anywhere from 80-95% Muslims, and a low number of Buddhists.  These four provinces have also been in the headlines because of escalated violence including terrorist bombings and heinous acts of violence by police forces. More than 3500 peeple have been killed since the violence surged in 2004.   On the other hand, the area is spectacular, with streches of sandy beaches, lush, tropical forest, good roads and the legendary hospitaltiy and kindness of the Thai people.

One of the many police blockades, Alyssa and Matt were stopped but only for a friendly conversation. 

So, what were we to do?  Torn between a supposedly violent environment and possibly the best cycling of the trip, we had to make a choice: to cycle or not.  After spending hours on the internet, we decided to make the journey up the east coast on bicycle and it proved to be the most memorable part of our trip thus far.



Two Traffic Police were so curious that they stopped Alyssa and Matt not once, but twice for pictures.





The roads are in impeccable condition, and with an extablished cycle lane, we had some of the safest riding of the trip.  Our nerves got a break from the rambling and churning motors of trucks, and our lungs weren't clogged with exhaust.  Wats and temples provide a place to explore during breaks and getting to know the locals is fun and exciting.



Alyssa in front of one of the many Wats





1000km!!!!



We rang in the New Year in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, and although very different from a Western New Year's, it was worth the experience. Alyssa will never forget using the toilet bus, gross. As 2012 begins, we start the year with doing what we do best, living life to the fullest.



How to Prepare for New Year's in Thailand. We woke up at 5:15am and cycled 70km, we needed the Thai Red Bull!











One of the delicious morsels at the night market: Swallow's Eggs!





New Year's Eve Stage. They are crowning 'Miss Countdown'!