Shortly after this point at the entrance of I Tong village, all riders decided to turn back to get on our next destination - in the direction of Mae Sot. Little did we know what lies beyond the village of I Tong (as I found out upon my return to Sam's river house in Kanchanaburi on my return fom North a week's later)... on my return to Sam's river house, Sam informed me that beyond that village lies a burmese check point which we cant get passed formally but can still cross informally with some sweet talks and respectful request. Beyond that stretch of hills which separate I Tong village & Burma, in less than 3 kms in western direction, one can see the vastness of the Andaman Sea....that according to Sam was the best view in the whole of Sangklaburi province...I listened attentively...(and now here's the info for the enthusiatic readers to follow up....& please post pics if you do!)
On descending I Tong village on the same route we ascended, Lee & Ang decided that Joko & myself should go first for whatever reasons best known to them...and off we left...Joko led and I was behind him... 40 mins downhill, a veg truck approaching the opposite way and for reasons I am not sure of, Joko slammed his brake, lost his front and down he went! I was right behind him within full sight...I missed a heartbeat...jammed my brakes, parked the bike instantly and rushed towards him.
Much to my relief, he was up on his feet instantaneously and assured me he was fine....nothing broken, all limbs are moving.
The aftermath of the spill.
The skid mark that tells it all.
Joko checking his gears.
Ang & Lee arriving 10 mins after the spill.
AT coughed a while but fired up and Joko gave a thumb up, ready to roll!
Ang & Lee now leading the way looking for a restaurant for our late lunch using their GPS....ending up somewhere in the bushes...but there wasnt any restaurant there contrary to what they claimed to show in their GPS units. (mine shown otherwise...)
15 kms down the road, we got to a national park, where we finally found our place to eat.
I asked Joko for a pose shortly before lunch for the record, and he obliged with such a huge warm smile...top bloke.
As for me...I made some burmese friends again at the car park whom were attracted by my ride.
The squatting chap inspected my flat twin heads and gave a thumb up saying this engine reminded him of his old village community water pump.....ah say what? I remembered old boxer engine twin valves were used as fire engine water hydrant pump in Kuala Lumpur yrs ago....that could be true, so I then thought.
We proceeded into the lounge hall and ordered our lunch (2.30pm thai time). A water feature greets our sight just next to our table.
Lee did the customary ordering of dishes...chili frog legs was one of the dishes.... a bit spicy but acceptable.
It was then during this lunch, Ang suddenly turned to my sight and retorted in a patronising and rude manner..."why you parked your bike so dangerously just now (referring to the point where Joko fell)." I didnt see that coming but in my usual style I replied, "So how would you have me parked the bike at what point that wasnt dangerous?...Joko fell, unless you want me to ride pass him down hill and not attend to him immediately?...anyway the roads are so curvy, any approaching vehicles cant go fast and would have noticed the stalled bikes.."
Ang in his usual style...just kept numb for a few seconds and brushed a response "ah...nevermind what I said"....
At that point, my dislike of Ang starting to boil...and all these happenings dont look any good to go.....more so that we are only at the 3rd day into our journey from Malaysia...
