Northern Thailand and Laos on a CRF 250L

[Wayne & Ohm]

One of the things that leaves an indelible impression when visiting Thailand are the many ornate buildings with intricate carving, they're unique. Thailand is such an interesting place, so different from other countries I've been to.

Riding around the countryside stopping wherever you like, how cool is that?

It was an awesome trip

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 10 Chiang Rai local area
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

IMG_0667 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0669 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0672 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0673 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0804 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0803 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai Part 1
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

IMG_0808 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0809 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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

IMG_0813 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0814 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0816 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0819 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai Part 2
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, coords from the Montana N20.44442 E99.88199, a nice room for 500 Bht

IMG_0823 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0824 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0825 by Wayne 66, on Flickr


General Pics of Mae Sai

IMG_0826 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking at the border with Myanmar

IMG_0828 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0832 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The Border Gate

IMG_0833 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking back from the border gate

IMG_0836 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai Part 3
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_0840 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking back down

IMG_0843 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0842 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0845 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0847 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0848 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0853 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
I don't know what the scorpion has to do with the Temple

IMG_0855 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Myanmar

IMG_0856 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Thailand (you can see the border crossing point with the blueish roof on the left)

IMG_0854 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

[melnathan]

This could go on forever, I just never tire of looking at the pictures. A big thanks from Jan and myself
Melnathan

[marshall]

I did some searching on-line for Wat Phra That Doi Wao (the scorpion Temple) it was built by king Wao (whose name means scorpion, or he is associated with keeping scorpions)
It is a very old temple.

[Wayne & Ohm]

This could go on forever, I just never tire of looking at the pictures. A big thanks from Jan and myself
Melnathan

It might just do There is still a lot more, thanks for looking and commenting

I did some searching on-line for Wat Phra That Doi Wao (the scorpion Temple) it was built by king Wao (whose name means scorpion, or he is associated with keeping scorpions)
It is a very old temple.

Thanks for the info, glad your here and enjoying

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong Part 1
I had a really good day today and saw 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

IMG_0862 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0864 by Wayne 66, on Flickr


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

IMG_0868 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Ban Wang Lao in the distance

IMG_0869 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0870 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0875 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The first view of the mighty Mekong River

IMG_0865 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong Part 2
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

IMG_0883 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0885 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The Golden Triangle

IMG_0886 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Laos

IMG_0887 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0893 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Myanmar on left and Laos on right

IMG_0894 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0897 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong Part 3
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

IMG_0908 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0910 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0914 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0917 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0918 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0922 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0932 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0939 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Getting the boots wet in the Mekong River

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong Part 4
I stayed on the CHR 4007 till I got back to the 1129 and visited a Coffee House/ Restaurant 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

IMG_0944 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0942 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0943 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
A Beer with a view of Laos, great


Once I had left there it was a 9km run into Chiang Khong
IMG_0927 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0928 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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

IMG_0949 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0952 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0956 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The view from my balcony for Christmas Day

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

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 13 Chiang Khong
Had a great Christmas Day. I spent it at The Hub Pub, the Pub is owned and run by a guy from Liverpool called Alan and his wife May, as well as the pub they also have a hostel next door to the pub. It was a day when total strangers, including some locals just had a good time eating and drinking
I was made to feel welcome, the hospitality of Alan and May was great
If you are in the area I would recommend popping in for food, drink, or a good old cheap bed for the night

IMG_0976 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0975 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0977 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Alan

IMG_0978 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
May

IMG_0979 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0983 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0981 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0988 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Coords

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng Part 1

What a ride I had through some great countryside and mountain climbs with lots of bends.
Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I set off from Chiang Khong at around 0815hrs as I knew it was going to be a long day to get to my destination Chiang Klang, but I ended up in a place called Thung Chang
From Chaing Khong is took the 1020 then I went on to the 1155 which was a really good road through the mountains with some terrific views.

IMG_0991 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0994 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0996 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0998 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0999 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

[Wayne & Ohm]

Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng Part 2
I went into Thoeng to visit a guy from the Netherlands who lives in the area, I have been in touch with him from the Rideasia site, I had some very nice coffee and some Christmas bread and his hospitality was great, Thank you.
Once I has left his house I used the 1021 and then the 1148, again through the mountains, towards Chiang Klang

IMG_1003 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1005 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1008 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1012 by Wayne 66, on Flickr


IMG_1013 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1020 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1022 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1023 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I did my usual ride through the little town to see what was happening , not a lot, as I could not find any place to sleep in Chiang Klang or and good eateries I decided to push on a bit further and I needed fuel and I got a petrol station from the Satnav which was a bout 2 k’s away. After that was a place called Thung Chang which after sitting and having a Mocha Frappe and asking for hotels I managed to get The Nice Bungalows in Thung Chang....coords N19.41831 E100.87993, not a bad room, got a bed and shower room with the all important Wifi.
IMG_1025 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_1026 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Tomorrow is the short journey to the border and on into Laos, fingers crossed. Going to get there nice and early as I don’t know how long it will take to cross.