January 6th: Wat Phon Chai to Noen Phoem – 46 km

Day 85

Today was a day of contrasts with 15C in the morning and 34C in the afternoon. Cycling in the mornings was inspiring. Passing through clouds of mist, we were alternately chilled and warmed as the scenery around us unfolds in a warm diffuse glow.

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Plant life also displayed this difference with both banana trees and autumn leaves. Passing over a crisp hilltop we both wondered if we were in New York in the fall. Only the Thai villages and banana trees scattered along the road side reminded us our real location. These two seemingly polar opposites thriving in the midst of each other.

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We are the only thing not thriving in this environment. When it’s so pleasantly cool in the morning the heat is just offensive under the grilling tropical sun. Although the heat will be the least of our worries soon. We are now over halfway to Chiang Mai and it looks like it will get more mountainous as we get closer. Hopefully the excitement of reaching our next climbing destination will be the wind at our backs.