A New Way to Ride

After spending a day hopping the public taxis/pickup trucks to go to a different beach, only to find ourselves waiting in the hot sun for another taxi to happen by, we decided instead to rent a couple of motorcycles. We got out early in the morning and rode over the the hills (Koh Chang is a large mountainous island and national park), somewhat beyond civilization. The western side of the island is built up and well-touristed, but as we rode further south, the resorts and bungalows dissappeared.

Brian was riding ahead of me, so when I turned a steep bend and saw a fairly thick tree branch across the road, he was already nearly around the next bend. The branch was curved at the top, like a snake with its head up...and then I saw its eyes - indeed it was a snake, probably the biggest snake I've ever seen. I wanted to stop to take a picture, but the hill was too steep, and my engine to weak to be able to get going again; and knowing now that this island is home to reticulated pythons, maybe it was for the best that I didn't stop. Brian is still disappointed that he didn't see the snake, which was probably trying to cross the road as he swooshed by. What a way to travel - motorbiking the Koh Chang Island.