Day Nine – the end

Khao Sok to Khao Lak (54 km)

Arrival at Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage

Hard to believe that today’s the day. A short 54km run into the orphanage, but not before a nice little 4km hill climb to get the hearts pumping! Oh, and have I mentioned that it was hot! Our gun cyclists of course tackled the hill like they would a slight bump in the road, Andrew looking like he was riding a motorbike and Daniel doing it a couple of times just to be sure. But the AWARD OF THE HILL goes to Sandra who casually glided past hubby and left him for dead…the beers taking their toll perhaps…to casually pull up at the top barely breathing!!!
Then a magnificent downhill run for 6-7kms. Sucking in all that fresh air and willing our legs to take us the last part of the journey. And what an experience awaited us all….
4kms our from Takua Pa (and the Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage) the children (10yrs and above) joined us for the ride in which was such a buzz. Highway patrol closed the roads, film crews everywhere (well I exaggerate ever so slightly for effect) but you get my drift. What an incredible feeling to arrive at the orphanage to be met by the local community, a marching band, floral garlands for our heads (very fashionable) and of course, most importantly, the inspiration for the ride – the beautiful children of Baan Tharn Namchai.
I simply can’t describe the emotion, the elation, the pride and the relief we were all feeling. Suffice to say there were lots of hugs and tears of joy all round. Tired legs and aching butts were all soon forgotten.
Peter and Gill joined Khun Prateep and Khun Rotjana in openning the 2nd orphanage officially and we were all treated to a delicious lunch. But not before some Thai style aerobics which Ian felt the need to join in on and yes, you guessed it – we were soon all up doing aerobics with our Thai friends (check out the particularly unflaterring photos on this blog). Celebrations, speeches, more lovely food and wonderful dancing from the children led us into the night. Katelyn presented to Khun Rotjana a fabulous THB 7,532 that she, Jack and Kelsea had raised during the ride..our budding young fundraisers at work! 
And as we quietly took off for a final beer together on the beach we certainly had a lot to reflect on.
What a journey it had been. What an incredible achievement from each and every one of our star riders:
Mike Mitchell, Jerry Pearce, Andrew Bennett, Daniel Murray, Steph Ellis, Mel Ryan, Sandra & Craig Panagiris, Ian & Gill Williams, Scott Stein, Tony Love-Linay, Nicole Perry,  Peter Baines, the kids – Lachie, Kelsea and Jack Baines, and yours truly, Brigid Gibson. With our fabulous support crew – John Baines, Andrew Gibson, Katelyn Panagiris and film crew Shane and Max McLachlan. 

The pain was fading fast as our last conversation for the night was…..

….should we do it all again next year?????

Photos

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~ by arawata on January 27, 2009.