With mixed feelings I get on the bike today; like every other day I love to drive again, but today I cross a land border for the 22nd and last time this trip. The last part of the 70 km to the small Wang Prachan border crossing goes through Thale Ban National Park on beautiful, winding roads.
But arriving at the border things are different than I expected. They want a TIP form (Temporary Import Paper) from me, which is common when you enter Thailand with your own transport. However, I have a Carnet de Passage for the motorcycle: import and export papers that I use at all borders and must be stamped when entering and leaving a country. Even if I show them that I entered the country earlier and that the import has already been stamped, they cannot be persuaded.
They refer me to the large border post of Sadao. However, that means I have to drive back through Thailand, 100 miles around the National Park to get there. There is nothing else to do and I give the engine the spurs.
Early in the afternoon I arrive at the Sadao border post. I've also been here when I drove into Thailand from Malaysia so I'm sure it will work here. Two hours later I'm in Malaysia with the right stamps, but I'm not sure what to do. Continue to my intended overnight spot 100 miles away or look for a hotel somewhere here? I also have no Malaysian money and no SIM card for internet.
I choose the former and hope to get some money and SIM card along the way. Fortunately, my navigation works but points me straight in the direction of dark clouds and showers. The alternative route I'm looking for keeps me wonderfully free of rain and at a large gas station I can actually withdraw money and buy a SIM card. This is going well!
The route to central Malaysia is also becoming more and more beautiful with winding roads and jungle as a landscape. The sun is already setting in Kapung when I arrive, but luckily the owner of the motel still has a room available. After two border posts, 380 km and more than 6 hours on the bike, I'm done. But I have good prospects again. 😉
