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.
Here is our route. Total of 350km covered
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.
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.
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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.
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°
Curry place on walking street.
