Comon Bungalows, Koh Phagnan, Day 2

Today we plan to explore Koh Phagnan. Despite mopeds buzzing down the road incessantly, laden with topless and helmetless riders who would be in a lot of pain if they fell off, we decide we fancy a bit of exercise and opt for pushbikes. We have done some research and came to the conclusion that his will be a fun way to see the island and we can probably make our way a good distance around it.
We grab a quick breakfast and rent some bikes after a short search. Immediately we realise we may have made a mistake. Koh Phagnan isn't a huge island, maybe around 10 to 15km each way, but it is very hilly. So hilly in fact, that cycling feels almost impossible. We huff and puff up and down the constant slopes, before stopping off at a beach we find. Our legs ache and our clothes are so soaked in sweat that it looks like we have jumped in the sea wearing them. Distance covered - 2km.
The beach is lovely as all beaches around here seem to be. We take a dip to freshen up and sit and relax for around half an hour. The thought of getting back on the bike is pretty grim at the moment, so we are in no rush to move on!
When the time finally does come, we hop back on with restored energy, ready to tackle whatever the roads can throw at us. After two minutes our energy has drained, and we again find ourselves pushing our bikes up a hill as moped riders drive past looking either smug or sympathetic (mostly smug). We reach the top of an incredibly steep hill and make the most of the seconds of breeze and rest we get as our bikes fly down, brakes squeaking away as we try not to go too fast over the sandy patches.
We stop off at another beach but struggle to find a way onto it, so decide to head to a nearby waterfall. Unfortunately, as we head uphill and turn a corner to see another, even steeper hill, we realise the task we have set ourselves is unachievable. It is also probably not worth the pain to see a few waterfalls and a few more beaches. We head back, our dejected bodies burning in the Sun as we push our bikes up the hills we flew down minutes ago. We retreat back to secret beach, which is the nearest beach to our hotel, and collapse onto the sand. We had been biking for two hours (including the 30 minute break at the beach) and our legs feel like jelly.
We grab something to eat at the very nice beach bar, which we time perfectly as a downpour sends most of the beach in for dinner just after we order, and chill out for a bit. It is dissapointing as we wanted to see more of the island, but this beach is lovely so we don't feel too down.
In the late afternoon we head back to the room to shower, before dropping the bikes off at the rental shop. The Sun is just setting and we head for a nearby beach. Wow. Everything we have been through today is washed from the memory. As we sit on a rock and sip a beer, it feels like paradise. There is no-one around apart from a guitar playing wanderer staring into the sea strumming a few chords, and the Sun sets right in front of us as if we are at a private show. It is beautiful and a good end to a hard day.
After the sunset we grab something to eat at the restaurant near our hotel. We order a pizza which we initially think is very burnt, but is actually sporting a charcoal infused crust. It looks odd, but tastes great!
With our ferry booked for midday tomorrow, we head back to the room for some well earned sleep. We have learnt some valuable lessons today, and next time we will be hopping on a moped for sure (sorry mum).Læs mere