Tuesday 10 July 2018

Pai To Chiang Rai The Scenic Way Day 3

Well after a belly full of curry in Pai and a few Snowy beer's to wash it down, it was an early start to try and avoid the maniacs on the 1095.
Day 3
Total 293km.
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The 1095 was abandoned so stopped at the friendship bridge and had a quick blast across.
146 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
147 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The original plan was to detour when possible, the 1095 was tempting but done it to death.
148 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Reaching the turn at the NP checkpoint located at N19.27819° E98.60348° this trail has had issues in the past where the banned riders coming through, this time no questions asked.
223 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
149 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The sign indicates a campsite at 65km, but I've never been able to find it.
150 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Up to the viewpoint, the road is well paved and no problems.
153 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Some minor road improvements before the point.
156 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The viewpoint is well manicured as you would expect.
157 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
158 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
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From here the road begins to deteriorate, concrete strips to begin with.
164 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Then turns to dirt as you reach the first village of Ban Nam Dang.
169 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Bad picture but never seen this before the sticks had bird feathers in them, presumably a Lisu thing to ward off evil spirits from the village.
170 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Leaving the village its all roughly graded dirt with some terrific views.
171 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
172 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Traffic jam ahead.
174 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Traffic mounting up, so we rode the trail tot he left to a fantastic viewpoint and camping area with a good water supply.
176 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Panoramic views from the top. Located at N19.32133° E98.64246°
177 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
178 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Definitely on my list of camping areas this dry season.
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179 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The views kept getting better and better with clear skies after the rains.
180 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
181 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Getting a little more washed out as we descended into the valley.
182 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The first of three small stream crossings ahead.
184 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Going for the big splash.
185 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
This was a little deeper than it looked.
186 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Cracking trail now, great views, no traffic excellent.
187 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
188 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The last stream crossing coming up had some rather large rocks as somebody would find out later.
Located at N19.35987° E98.67702°
191 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
You did have an option to cross this cute bridge but wheres the fun in that.
192 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
193 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
I crossed and waited for Des to follow, sadly he decided on a different line and the large white rock you see was his nemesis.
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196 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
197 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Boom, down like a sack of spud's, of course, I was blamed afterwards, but it did cool him off.
198 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Again I am thinking Lisu make this shelter.
201 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Crossing the Mae Taeng river to the village of Ban Muang Khong.
203 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The village is beautiful with a very nice Wat and fuel available.
204 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
205 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Cosy riverside home.
208 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Onto the 3232 now and fully paved all the way.
209 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
210 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Some stunning views of Chiang Dao range.
212 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
213 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
A multitude of spirit house's as we neared Chiang Dao cave.
215 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
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From there we hit the 1150 and home,  but not before stopping for a nice cool drink, a very enjoyable three days riding and views to die for and we stayed dry .

Thursday 7 June 2018

Chiang Rai To Lampang - Mae Sariang - MHS Loop DAY 2

Day 2
After a quiet night at the Ching Ching an early night was in order, the next morning was a trip up the MHS, but again if the opportunity arose explore a little, with a planned detour around Khun Yuan.
The beer in the Ching Ching was nice and cold.
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Here is our route. Total of 350km covered
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After a quick gas up it was northbound on the 108, not the most interesting road to begin with but the strong connections with Myanmar clearly evident.
Approaching Mae La Luang I noticed what I thought would be a great picture opportunity of the Mae La Luang river, well it turned out to be this :sneaky:
Not to be outdone the village did have this lovely Wat!
As I mentioned the first part of the 108 isn't that inspiring but it does have some lovely views.
One of the nicer sections.
We had already decided to detour off the 108 taking in the1337, it's been a while since I was this way and was surprised how good it was.
Surprisingly good.
Reaching Ban Mae Ki was another chance to get off and explore a little, Mae Ki is a cute little village paved mostly.
Asked some locals where the various tracks went to, they said we should turn around but to hell with it.
Turned out the dirt trail became a mixture of dirt and concrete so it was obviously well used, so we pushed on a little further.
Even the dirt was well graded, off the gps now really hoped it would bring us back on the 1337.
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Finally, it dropped down into a small village called Mae Kor.
Location N18.62585° E97.84946°
A Christian graveyard the missionaries had been here before.
The village was spotlessly clean, I wondered if it was a Karen village.
As expected a very nice Christian church.
r
Amazingly a guy stopped and spoke perfect English, he told us to the right was a Purple Lao village (never heard of such a tribe) and a dead end, to the left the road simply circled back the way we had come in. I would later find the trail would infact circle all the way around to the 108 so that's for later.
Map of the village.
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The village even had its own recycling scheme in operation.
Just a note the village has no shops or gas drums.
So reluctantly we made our way back to the 1337.
Dropping down into Mae Ki village once again.
Huge amounts of timber in the main Tesaban, not sure of the sign, the Thai is welcome but the English I don't understand?
Back on the 1337, the paved section continued, the village of Piang Luang ahead so a little detour.
Surprise surprise another Christain Church in what is otherwise a very poor village.
A typical house in the village.
Back to the 1337, many small villages tucked away in the hillsides.
Sadly being right on the edge of the Doi Wiang NP anything outside was up for deforestation.
This village proudly displaying images of The late King and Queen Sirikit.
Reaching a small complex of buildings used for vaccinations.
The junction opposite showed a dead end, but the sign said a school was ahead some 4km, so worth another look some other time.
Location  N18.77842° E97.81654°
Reaching the village of Pratu Muang, a had a beautiful Shan style Wat being constructed.
Location N18.80960° E97.84782°
This carved wooden Buddha was beautifully done from one piece of timber.
Impressive timberwork.
This image on one of the main columns I presume placed by the family of the deceased girl.
Looks like the craftsmen involved with the Buddha has some more projects in hand.
The village has a small shop with a fuel drum.
Located N18.81107° E97.84826°
Saw these drying outside the shop, have no idea what they are.
Passing the large new police station is the junction of the 1337 and the 3007, we headed north, I recall this was dirt a few years back but was amazed it was paved.
Fortunately it didn't last long and it turned to gravel.
Couldn't figure this place out if it was military or not, either way, it had a commanding view.
Nice quick surface only slowly by livestock.
After around 10km it becomes paved again.
Reaching the military checkpoint the turn to the left takes you out to the army camps and the Myanmar border.
Doi Wiang Wildlife Preserve indicated we are close to the 108 again.
Coming back onto the 108 at one of the best twisty sections to bring back a smile, but not before stopping at Wat Mae Surin for a few pictures.
Located N18.91260° E97.94378°
Clouds moving in time to push on to MHS and a stop and the old Shan temple, sadly closed to visitors.
Located N19.24436° E97.94346°
From there we decided with it being low season it was unlikely Pai would be overrun with twatpackers so we headed to Pai and the Pichai GH now charging 400 baht a night a very nice Indian curry.
Pichai GH Located N19.35701° E98.43999°
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Curry place on walking street.
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Visiting the Mlabri (Yellow Leaf People)

One year now since our friend Auke passed away suddenly, I promised Sieste (Aukes son) that we on Ride Asia would do our best to honour thi...