Day 2: Chiang Rai -> Mae Salong -> Doi Tung -> R 1149 -> Mae Sai -> Golden Triangle -> Chiang Khong -> Phu Chi Fa
Relive video here:
OK this will be a long one………
I started my ride @ 06.30hrs leaving Chiang Rai as I anticipated today will need to cover many places of interests.
After getting out of the city, popped by a cafe at the petrol station for breakfast.
I was basically back tracking my way to Chiang Rai yesterday to get to route 1130.
After getting back into route 1130, took a off-road detour for a smoke break.
Stopped by the sign before reaching Mae Salong. Almost dropped the bike as this was a very steep slope when I first parked the bike on side stand, it started rolling backwards! (there was no 1st gear to engage) After that I parked it on main stand to take the photo; bad idea as I almost couldn’t get it off due to the steep slope. (struggled for around 10 minutes, felt so stupid hahahaha)
Some photos of Mae Salong as I rode through the town. Read more about this place here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_Mae_Salong
quite interesting.
Further up there’s a Mae Salong park, rode down to explore abit.
Stopped by for toilet break at this place, A-PA Coffee. https://goo.gl/maps/JEH1bX5o9b6M5JcF7
Along the way to Doi Tung Palace.
Reached Doi Tung Palace, apparently it used to be the home of Princess Srinagarindra, the mother of King Bhumibol.
There’s a beautiful garden which I paid the entrance fee and took a small walk to explore.
Left Doi Tung and proceeded towards route 1149, on the way up my bike’s rear wheel slipped a few times as I accelerate out of corners due to wet road surface. Took it slow thereafter.
Reached Chang Moob military checkpoint, its still manned by soldiers, but they are selling coffee!
Brought a cha yen from Phamuang Coffee; the soldiers are One Piece fans!
Finished my cha yen and moved on. I was stopped by soldiers at the next checkpoint and they asked for my passport (they took a photo of my passport, checked my belongings) before waving me to pass. Didn’t dare to photograph the checkpoint and/or the soldiers as they looked very garang.
Moved on and saw a few huts manned by soldiers (the road actually crosses into Myanmar at some points). Surprised to see a little village further down.
Moved on and came across another checkpoint; this time round the soldier was dressed in slacks, smoking and don’t look interested in me. Thus took a selfie with him without his acknowledgement haha.
Took a few more pictures
After this stretch no more checkpoints as I moved towards Mae Sai, the border town with Myanmar.
Took a picture of the northern most of Thailand. (weird way of saying it).
Left Mae Sai and rode towards Golden triangle. Just before reaching Golden triangle park, stopped by for lunch.
Reached Golden triangle park after lunch.
Went to visit the Golden Triangle Park Hall of Opium. 200 baht entrance fee ( I remember all the expensive things hahaha)
Actually it was very informative, learnt how the Queen Mother and King help the northern people to reduce their reliance on opium farming.
Took a picture by the Mekong, see that huge casino at Laos?
Huai Sai Man viewpoint, overlooking Mekong with Thailand on the left and Laos on the right.
Reached Chiang Khong, saw they have PCN like Singapore also, aiya why never bring my foldie here….
Passed by Chiang Khong and down route 1020, then turn left into route 4018 towards Phu Chi Fa.
Reached Phu Chi Fa and reccee around the place. Freaking cold here.
OK gonna stop and rant for awhile. Rode around town to look for accomodation but couldn’t get any. There are so call resorts on google maps but when I rode to them, there is no ‘reception counter’ to enquire. Stumbled into a local’s home and asked where to get ‘Hotel’ (they dont speak a word of English), so I had to show then the goggle translate on my phone.
Stopped by one seemingly empty resort, called the number but no one picks up. Went to the coffeeshop next door, wanted to ask the lady on how to get accomodation but she points to the coffee menu instead. Boy was I pissed, and with the sun setting, I reckoned I could worst case ride to Mae Loi and spend the night there.
Thus I started my descent from Phu Chi Fa, just after turning into the road back down the mountain, there’s a resort with a lady playing with her child.
So I took the chance and rode in to ask, as usual the locals know zero english, so I typed in ‘Do you have room rent?’ in google translate and showed the lady’s husband. He said somthing in Thai I don’t understand and nodded. Then I typed ‘how much?’, he replied somthing again I don’t understand and I opened my calculator app (It’s fucking universal!) and shown him. He typed 500 and I said/ signalled with my hands ‘OK’.
End of rant.
After settled down, quickly went in search for dinner. (There are no 7-Eleven around!)
Found this ‘only’ shop that seems like they sell food. Lucky the boss understand what ‘Fried Rice’ means!
Ok it started to rain after eating, waited awhile and it doesn’t seem like stopping, so decided to ride back to the hotel since I was still in my riding gear.
Freaking mistake! It was SOOO cold (my teeth was clattering UNCONTROLLABY!). To add on to that, the Forza’s LED white headlights are NOT HELPING in the rain. (Say NO to LED headlights!)
At most 20% visibility (I can only make out the faint road markings ahead like 3-4 meters at most). Well lucky I made it back safely and then, the RAIN STOPPED! HA HA HA
After the ordeal I called it a day. Reminds me those days where we went around looking for accomodation with my riding buddy Darren during our motorcycle touring trips 20 years ago hahaha. Today covered the major places that I wanted to go, Golden Triangle, route 1149 overlapping Myanmar etc, thus it was really a satisfying ride. Next, day 3!
Thanks for the great and helpful content on your blog. My friend and I enjoyed a tour of the western half and your map and insights were especially useful. The new skywalk in Mae Sai is breathtaking, and I hope it fared well during the recent earthquake. Cheers!