Maw Pi Nazarene Church is an isolated church outside a small lahu village close to Doi Bo, during the rainy season it's almost impossible to reach it even with a 4WD, dry season is a different matter. Phil had expressed an interest to riding some of the local trails he had not done before so we had a ride up to check it out.
As we made our way up we spotted this Lisu or Lahu memorial site, it is quite common to see in these, you usually will see personal possessions laid at the site to help them in the afterlife. In this case the person must have been a driver and money was offered (fake) to help them along the way.
Fake heaven bank notes !!
As you would expect in March everything was tinder dry, as we would find out fires are everywhere and the smog problem occurs each year as a result.
Riding down into the terrace rice fields.
Some many small settlements in this region, always a wonder how they scrape a living out of this mountainous landscape.
A dirt riders paradise awaits.
Smouldering fires, many reason for this, some say its to encourage the growth of new mushrooms in the forests, some say its to clear the land for farming others may say Thai's just love to burn stuff.
Structure built to ward away evil spirits, most likely Lisu or Lahu people.
Some very steep descents made more disconcerting by the bamboo leaves making it very slippy.
Turn off for the rocky river trail.
This steep downhill was being partially paved in readiness for the forthcoming rainy season.
This makeshift device i believe was to slip over motorcycle wheels to give extra traction, ingenious idea.
Not so spectacular now but in November this would be a spectacular viewpoint.
The turn at the small Lahu village is where the best part of the trail can be found.
Herd or water buffalo lazing but the almost dry riverbed.
The steep climb off in the distance can be a real challenge even for the best riders at any time of year.
Some nice shaded forest sections a welcome relief from the hot sun.
Bamboo leaves making it hard to figure the contours of the trail.
One of the steeper sections.
More evidence of the burning season in full swing.
Small Lahu village settlement.
Finally reaching Maw Phi Nazarene Church, strangely the place is now disused by the locals whom i assume are all Christian as is the case with most Lahu and Akha villages these days.
Inside many of the pew's still remain only a matter of time before the place is stripped down, timer is hard to come by in these parts after major deforestation years ago.
At the adjacent Lahu village a corn milling set up lays idle.
As we drop down towards the Kok river huge area's already burnt off by the farmers.
A nice new graded trail, a sign of a paved road on the way.
Down near the Kok river and onto pavement, a truly great ride on the north side of the river get there quick before its gone.
