Sunday I made it to the bridge and crossed over from Phuket to Phang-Nga. Traffic wasn’t too bad. There was a checkpoint when you left the island but it seemed they were just randomly pulling people over or perhaps looking for certain people that may be wanted. There was one truck I saw that got pulled over, the man driving was wearing an orange jumpsuit. I thought…..really? Is that the prison uniform here too or just a fashion statement.
I pulled over to snap this photo. Just to remember that I have been there.
When crossing over the bridge, there were a lot of small houses along the water and a burnt out ferry boat.
The Sarasin Bridge seemed to be a tourist attraction but I am not sure why exactly. There wasn’t much of a view.
After a couple of U-turns to find the right road, I started my ride through the jungle to find the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint. There was an official bicycle race going on and I am happy to say none of them passed me this time. The temperatures dropped as I drove for about 45 minutes through lush greenery and the occasional small town.
I took a wrong turn and pulled over to recheck my Google Maps. As I did, an adorable Islamic woman pulled over to ask where I was going. She helped get me back on track and I was so appreciative of her stopping. People here are just so kind. They are helpful in so many regards and always patient, never in a rush. I adore their lifestyle and giving nature.
I snapped this photo from the place I pulled over.
I finally pulled into the viewpoint area, which I had driven right past previously. They charged for you to take a truck to the top, so I opted to climb the mountain and make an adventure out of it. I was driving Mean Mia on and off now for 3 hours and could use a little exercise.
When I got to this point, I thought maybe I would die of a heart attack before making it to the top. I wondered how much further it would be. I decided to just take my time, try to stay in the shade (the mid-afternoon sun was not helpful) and take as many breaks as I felt I needed. This allowed me many appreciative views.
This bench I didn’t dare sit on as I felt it could collapse with me on top down the steep incline.
I loved this view peering through the palms. At this point I was happy I didn’t take the truck up.
I tried to capture the steep inclines I endured. It hasn’t rained here in months and the pathway is very dry. The dirt is powdery like a desert. At one point I had to scale a little bit up to the next level and every branch I went to grab in hopes of stabilizing, immediately just lifted out of the ground. Every rock crumbled under my hand.
I mean seriously, it’s such an amazing view. It’s a fascinating landscape of limestone rocks that surfaced out of the ocean during a shift in the earth’s plates. Some would say science created this masterpiece. I can’t imagine science could be so creative.
These love shacks were about 21$ a night and had a view out over the bay. I will be renting one someday. I really want to experience waking up on top of this mountain and overlooking that scene during the sunrise.
There were very few tourists.
I truly believe there is nothing more creative than nature.
I sat here for a bit and videoed a few friends to share the view. Can you see the small town on the left? (the white spot amongst the trees) To try to show you the perspective.
My new Tevas definitely did their share of walking! My feet were filthy when I finished the hike and I was a sweaty mess. Everyone thinks I am going to die because my face always turns bright red. But I can honestly say I am so glad I hiked up here and felt completely part of nature.
The red dot is where I went. My place of residence is a little bit below where the PHUKET is typed. So I covered a lot of ground on this road trip breaking Mean Mia in!
I'm just your average gal figuring out her way through the second half of life that decided to follow a calling to Thailand. Now back in the USA due to covid, seeking nature for further direction.
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Tonya Takes Thailand 