Today we set off for a 22 mile ride to a pier. More about that later! It was a beautiful morning for a ride along the coast.

As we left Ban Krut, MJ wanted to stop and buy traditional clothes baskets from this vendor! Lots of options.

The entire group screeched to a stop to look into this roadkill.

Woody said it was a native, poisonous snake, although not quite as poisonous as a cobra!

Sweet potatoes are on the menu for today.

These ladies were planting new sweet potato shoots. In the background, you see some already established. They had a sprinkler system for watering. The soil looked pretty good! The potatoes we saw vendors selling were nice and plump!

Sliced sweet potatoes ready to be deep fried.

Are we really bicycling in Southeast Asia?!

Yes, dear we are! Holiday photo for 2020?

Today we rode on a brand new blue bike lane along a coastal road. But what is that other contraption?

This is a net to catch crabs – the animals get into the “mouth” and can’t get out.  This one has been repurposed as a trash receptacle! And decorated with eyes, too!

Fishing boats seen as we bike over a bridge.  Being a Sunday, the fleet is in for the day.

Shrimping boat.

Clever artists along the coast using this dead branch as their canvas!!!

Where do old phone booths go to die in Thailand? The local phone substation now serving as a cell phone tower area..

Yippee! We are headed to the Koh Talu Island Resort for some R and R . . . OFF of the bikes!

We piled into a speedboat that really was a ‘banana boat’ !!!

We slowly puttered through the sheltered port, then the captain opened ‘er up out in the ocean waters.  The shoreline looked like Lake Michigan!!

And in just 20 minutes we pulled up at our home for the night. This island, Koh Talu,  and area around it had been abused, including by dynamite fishing practices. Then Khun Prida Chareanpak, a successful shrimper, discovered the island and purchased it. Now it is an eco-tourism destination.

As we departed the craft on the island I noticed it’s name . . .glad our ride didn’t turn into a three hour tour !!!!

The island is crescent-shaped which provides lovely views.

We met for an orientation led by Joe, who shared the available amenities.

He also beseeched us NOT to feed the cats! Seems they have a little problem with ferals. On of them sprayed Anne’s pack that was sitting on the floor while we ate lunch. As you can see, they nap just about anywhere the want. This one had it’s head down in the corner pocket until we woke it up!!!

After a nice lunch we headed up to our villas.

This will do! Spacious and sunny.

Even with fleur de lis folded bath towels.

And a sunny outdoor shower, clothing optional!

Once we got settled in, some of the gang went on a trek to the high point of the island, stunning, some went squid fishing, no luck and most went swimming in the ocean!!!!!!

We went swimming and walked down tot he turtle hatchery , , , ,

. . . where Mom and Dad had their own pool . . .

. .  the six month olds were looking frisky . . .

. . . and the three month old babies were just so darn cute!!!

See the baby turtle mania movie here.

. . . soon it was time for another great sunset . . .

. . . and a great meal AND dessert, oceanside!