Had a steady ride today from Mae Hong Son to Pai.

Day 6 Mae Hong Son to Pai by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 6 Mae Hong Son to Pai 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Set off about 0815hrs and took it nice and easy stopping to take some photos and my daily on the road ritual at stopping somewhere on route and grabbing breakfast….bonus, no rice had noodles instead, it was really tasty. It was done with beef and spices

IMG_0521 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Breakfast spot and food

The roads were up to there usual standard of lots of bends and curves to keep you concentrating. Also lots of scenery and great views

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Got myself a room, like a little Chalet type thing, quite nice and managed to get it for 400 Bht with a fan a night, staying for two nights. Pichai House, coords from the Montanna N19.21421 E098. 26402.

IMG_0538 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0539 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0540 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Going to ride local tomorrow as there are lots of things to visit in and around the area, Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Pai Canyon.
So I should have a good day

Just done the report in record time, internet is good

Wayne

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The second day in Pai, set off for a bit of a look round at about 0900hrs.

Day 7 Pai area by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 7 Pai area 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

On route I passed a Elephant Village on some back road, the village was a Karen Tribe village. I was good to see the Elephants out and about.
I took a few track on my route but some were dead ends and others were blocked by Elephant tours but it was good to get off road for a bit to have a play.

IMG_0550 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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First stop was the World War 2 Memorial Bridge just to the south of Pai, it was a good sight to see and a little bit like the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Coords from the Montana, N19.17869 E098.27890

IMG_0555 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Then it was a sorted to Pai Canyon, very nice and scenic. There were some narrow paths to walk along with some very steep drops at either side of you. Good place to visit. Coords from the Montana N19.18283 E098.27185

IMG_0560 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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After walking into the Canyon I was getting a bit hot with wearing my bike gear so it was off to Pai Hot Springs, as I pulled up I suddenly became very popular, 3 women accosted me in the car park, not that I minded , they wanted their photo taken with me, its not the first time but it was the first time I got them to return the favour

IMG_0569 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Mr Popular, haha!

It was really good and once I had spent a bit of time walking around I went in the water for half an hour or so. The water was about 36 degrees C, very relaxing. I looked like a prune when I got out Cost was 200 Bht, Coords from the Montana N19.18432 E098.2856.

IMG_0590 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Allegedly you're not allowed to boil eggs in the water

Back on with the bike gear and back to Pai

I have spent a fair bit of time in the Pai Pub, which is about 2 doors down from where I am staying and is where I am sat now doing this report. Music food and internet are great
The bar is owned by a Aussie guy called Rowan, he has made me feel very welcome and would recommend to anyone. He also does rooms although I only found out after getting mine. He is a biker and easy to get on with.

IMG_0594 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The Pai Pub

IMG_0595 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Nice little 125 Cafe Racer, think he said it cost him about $60

Wayne

__________________
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Just a couple of videos

The World War 2 Bridge and just having a play about (but got stopped by an Elephant )

https://flic.kr/p/qsJwmK

https://flic.kr/p/qbbvVu

Wayne

__________________
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Set off today with the intentions of going to Fang for the night before moving on to Chiang Rai
Things did not go according to plan.

Day 8 Pai to Fang, then on to Chiang Rai by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 8 Pai to Fang, then on to Chiang Rai1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I set off at about 0815hrs towards Fang. The road was up to the usual standard of twists and turns with great scenery. Some of the switchbacks were that sharp my Montana was having a fit and thought I was turning round therefore it was shouting in my ear ‘Recalculating, Recalculating’. There was a lot of mist this morning and it was cold, that clod my hands were going numb. As I climbed higher I came out off the mist and it to the sun, although it was warmer it was still a bit nippy


As you can see from some of the photos the mist looked like a thick blanket of cotton wool in some place as I was looking down on it

IMG_0615 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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As I started to drop down a bit further I came a across a nice looking coffee stop. Had a Latte to warm me up and Strawberry fruit slice, very nice indeed. Then the woman behind the counter gave me a free cup of tea, she must have thought I need it……I did

IMG_0622 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Once I got to Fang I had a ride round, because as I was riding in the first impressions were not good…my assumptions were good and it wasn't very good, I only saw one decent hotel and there was not a great deal in the town. I had a decision to make, stay in Fang or carry on to CR

CR it was, So I travelled about 5 clicks back in the direction I had just come from then turned onto the 108, straight on to a long straight road, I was hoping that this wasn’t it for the next 100 k’s give or take. I wasn’t disappointed, after about 5 K’s the bends started, it was one of the better roads I have been on

IMG_0627 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Eventully got to CR at around 1500hrs and stopped for a drink and used the HUBB and Rideasia.net to find a room, Settled on the Red Rose from the Rideasia site, they have themed rooms. Awesome, and all for the sum of 500 Bht or 10 GBP. Coords N 19.53601 E 099.49779
Staying here for at least 2 nights, maybe 3 as there are a couple things I want to do.

IMG_0649 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The rooms

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Wayne

__________________
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https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Bwahahaha

Love the room Lonerider, but if you are in the karaoke room, we don't wanna hear about it OK
Great pics once more

__________________
My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

Stayed local round CR today and visited 2 temples

The Black House (Temple) or Thawan Duchanee is about 10 K’s north of CR, coords E19.99202 E99.86035
It is a bizarre temple but well worth a visit. It reminds me of more of an Occult Temple rather than one to worship a Budda. It was very interesting walking around, and you must look at the toilet! A bit strange I know but it was filled with Phalic symbols, brought tears to my eyes just looking!
I would recommend it anyone visiting the area, and considering its a Sunday it wasn’t very busy.

IMG_0675 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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The Toilet

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Phalic Symbols

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The White Temple or Wat Rong Khun is about 10 K’s south of CR, coords N19.82399 E99.76388
Again I would recommend this if you are coming to CR. It is quite a new build compared to some of the other Temples in the area but the work that has gone in to it is very good.
The main hall has a budda in it but you cant take photos inside, and its shoes off before you go in.
There are also a lot of tourist type shops to look in as well as a very small museum, where at the end you can watch the craftsmen working.

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Going to chill for the rest of the day and go to the cinema

Wayne

__________________
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Fang isnt the centre of the world but there are a few places that have rooms for rent. Isnt that easy to find though. The last time I was in the area I actually choose to stay in Tha Thon. More places to stay in and more restaurants. Nice area by the river.

You can ride all along the mountan ridge that is the border to Burma north of Fang/Tha Thon. Doi Mae Salong, Doi Thung and all the way up to Mae Sai.

Anyhow - you still seem to find most of the nice spots by your selv.... :-)

__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Had a good relaxed day today, but still went out for a bit of a ride. I did some tracks just to the NW of Chiang Rai. Just nice and steady, nothing too strenuous as I was on my own. All the same it was enjoyable.
Setting of for further up north tomorrow and passed the Golden Triangle area.

Day 10 Chinag Rai local area by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Local views round CR

Also visited the Central Plaza again where I went to the cinema last night and had some good Japanese food

IMG_0805 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Wayne

__________________
The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Had a steady ride to Mae Sai today.

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I didn’t go straight up north on route 1, instead I took a more scenic route going north east on the 1232 the on to CHR 4013. I stopped along side the River Kok for a while.

IMG_0806 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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From there I crossed the River Kok and went on to the CHR 4050. This took me on to the 1209. Once I got on to the 1098 I came across a really nice Temple area, Wat Muen Budda Mettakhunaram
Coords from the Montana N20.16547 E99.99552. There was a massive Budda sat on top of a large mound.

IMG_0812 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Where the 1098 meets up with the 1016 I stopped for my breakfast in Ban Nong Khrok, had a really nice noodle soup, noodles and offal in a soup mix, sounds disgusting but it tasted good.

IMG_0821 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0820 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Then it was on to the CHR 4001 heading in a northerly direction still I picked up the CHR 1009/1290 straight in to Mae Sai

All in all not a bad route and it was a lot better than sitting on a main road.

Once in Mae Sai it was coffee time and a chance to look for some accommodation. Looked on the usual sites and decided on Kong Kam House, from the rideasia site, coords from the Montana N20.44442 E99.88199, a nice room for 500 Bht

IMG_0823 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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General Pics of Mae Sai

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Looking at the border with Myanmar

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The Border Gate

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Looking back from the border gate

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Just had to...it was waving at me

Wayne

__________________
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Went out for a wander and came across Wat Phra That Doi Wao at the top of a lot of steps. It was worth going to the top and having a look. There is a good view once you get up there, so its well worth the climb. There is a road if you are on a bike or in a vehicle.

IMG_0839 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The steps up

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Looking back down

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I don't know what the scorpion has to do with the Temple

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Myanmar

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Thailand (you can see the border crossing point with the blueish roof on the left)

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Wayne

__________________
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Attachment 14373

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The Balkans
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Just doing some catch up reading after a few mad days at work
Merry Christmas to you Wayne & once again, thanks for taking us along for the ride & safe travels to you

__________________
My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

I have had a really good day today and seen some really great sights.

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I didn’t go straight down the 1290 instead I took a lot of back roads and followed the Ruak River keeping it on my left, this was one a little road which ran between the CHR 1041 and the 1290.

IMG_0859 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Eventually I had to take the 1290 and I passed through a village called Ban Wang Lao, just through the village I climbed a hill to look at the view and take some photos

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Ban Wang Lao in the distance

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The first view of the mighty Mekong River

Then it was on to the Golden Triangle area on the 1290, me and the trusty CRF made it after covering 2000km what a journey it been so far and the journey is still only half way through.

IMG_0878 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Where the Ruak River meets the Mekong River

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The Golden Triangle

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Laos

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Myanmar on left and Laos on right

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to be continued due to not being able to put all pics on one reply

Wayne

__________________
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Back on the 1290 all the way to Chiang Saen where I stopped and had some breakfast, a nice American Breakfast (as they called it), not a bad spread for a couple of quid.

IMG_0898 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Once out of Chiang Saen I ended up on the 1129 for awhile before going on to the CHR 4007 following the edge of the Mighty Mekong River as close as I could over my left shoulder

Came across this Wat/Temple on a hill, couldn't find a name, but what a view from the top

IMG_0905 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Getting the boots wet in the Mekong River

I stayed on the CHR 4007 till I got back to the 1129 and visited a Coffee House/ Restautant called The View, coords N20.34001 E100.3741,
and yes it was a great view. So I sat and chilled with a small Singar looking across the Mekong River looking into Laos.

IMG_0948 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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A with a view of Laos

Once I had left there it was a 9km run into Chiang Khong

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I had already done my research on places to stay and opted for the Nam Khong Riverside Hotel, from the Rideasia site, a room with a great view, sat on my balcony over looking the Mekong and looking into Houayxay in Laos and I think I can see the old French Fort that I want to visit when I get over there.

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The view from my balcony for Christmas Day

Chilling here now for the rest of today and Christmas Day, moving on on Boxing Day to go to the Border Crossing for Laos. Then I will see if my paperwork works!?

Wayne

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Sat relaxing, looking across the river into Laos. Just compiled a little video of some views along the Mekong River on my way to Chiang Khong

https://flic.kr/p/quoyUj

Wayne

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