800kms in 8 days was over - arriving at Home Hug! (Part One)

It was with nervous anticipation that we prepared ourselves for our last day of riding.  I think Emma and I had mentally finished the ride so the smaller job of riding 75km seemed slightly irritating.  We just wanted to get there, get off the bikes and meet the children that meant so much to Mae Thiew at Ban Home Hug.  We had also had a small insight last night into how much she means to them.

So we packed our bags and had  breakfast of eggs, fried rice, toast and coffee for our normal 7.15 departure. It was also not without irony that this was the Thai National Children's Day.

And as our tired legs warmed up and started the daily grind, the beautiful scenery of the Thai countryside was lit up but the golden dust of the morning air.  

The last day suddenly seemed so final and it dawned on us all that this would be the last time we would be together as a group and the last time that we could enjoy this amazing experience together.  I resolved to make the most of the riding, the team and take some new photos.  We met some ladies sorting and drying rice at the last stop.

The ride has been not only a physical challenge but a mental one.  What we could not anticipate was the emotional challenge that lay ahead when we would ride into the orphanage at lunchtime.

The riding was slower today.  It seemed much hotter and we were weary. We stuffed our pockets with more sticky hands to throw to local children in the villages.  I have loved the rubbish bins at the entrance to each house or driveway.  

They are made of old tyres turned inside out and look something like a cauldron or old pot which could be used in a production of Macbeth!  This resourceful addition to each household seems to be slowly being replaced by the modern yellow plastic rubbish bins with which we are familiar. 

On our second water stop, a very random event occurred.  I remember coming round a corner fairly close to the front of the pack, only to be confronted by a group of men in bright orange shirts.  They were all holding large drums, except one with cymbals and another with electric guitar connected to a speaker which was being pushed on a cart.  I think they were equally as surprised as we were to see a sea of blue shirts on bikes appear before them.  I did not even have time to dismount or take off my helmet and gloves before they started playing and it was LOUD!  

The sweat was running down my head and body but I started snapping away and videoing with my camera. Led by Kelly, some of the team had managed to get off their bikes and had started dancing.

They were then joined by the village ladies who were laughing and dancing, moving their beautiful hands and bodies in time to the music.  It was such a random event that it felt surreal.  Had this been pre-arranged for our entertainment?  Was this anything to do with National Children's Day?  We joked afterwards with Chris and Gae that they had really gone beyond the call of duty to organise such an event for us!

The band played on and then as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone.

We stayed a while in the village, and Gae explained to the locals about what we were doing. 

 There is little acceptance of orphans with HIV in Thailand and we learned that a group of foreigners representing these kids does a lot for the cause.  

Renee and I were invited into one house by a heavily pregnant lady that was peeling fruit that they were delighted to share with us.  Her baby is due soon.

Riding into Ban Home Hug was extraordinary and a life-changing experience for me.  It is hard to put it into words but the some of the girls decided afterwards that we would rank it right up there with the intense pain and the overwhelming joy of childbirth.

Suddenly on the 8th day of riding, the 800kms was over!  We could hardly believe it. 

We were greeted at the entrance to the orphanage but a bunch of beautiful children with red roses for us.  They had their bicycles and escorted us down the shady lane towards our final destination.  

Some of them were so small on tiny bikes with training wheels pedaling as fast as their little legs would go.  

As we pulled up at the entrance, it was a highly emotional scene.  We were greeted by families of the riders, the staff at Home Hug, other kids, who took our bikes and put flowers round our necks.  Tears flowed and it was so overwhelming as we were welcomed by the Sister at Ban Home Hug to what would unfold into a very memorable afternoon and evening with the kids. 

And that is another story...