Day 3: Phu Chi Fa -> Route 1148 -> Pua -> Bo Kluea (R1081) -> Nan
Today’s planned route below, but before that, let’s hike to Phu Chi Fa viewpoint first!
Relive video
Actual riding route;
Every tourist will hike up to the viewpoint before sunrise (in order to catch the actual sunrise at the peak), however I didnt do that due to the poor experience yesterday riding in darkness and it was still raining when I woke up at 4.30am. Thus I only went when the sun was already up (around 05.50hrs).
Thats the furthest you can ride up, there’s a ‘path’ to trek up to the viewpoint. Anyway I was the only person there and I took around 15 mins as the path is very wet and slippery.
It was still raining and VERY cloudy, couldn’t see any views at all when I reached the top. Luckily they have signs for this scenario.
It was still raining on the peak. With the strong winds and rain hammering me, I knew no point waiting for the clouds to clear to see the view as I’ve no idea how long that would take. And so I started descending and slipped after this picture (It was real slippery!) luckily I broke my fall and didn’t tumble down the mountain.
Back at carpark, bought a coffee from the only vendor who opened at this time, before heading back to hotel for checkout.
Reached the hotel and packed my stuff to start the day’s ride. (I think the view from the room is better then seeing clouds at Phu Chi Fa viewpoint lol).
Remember last post I was ranting there is no hotel reception? now I have problem of checking out. I walked to the house where supposingly the owner stayed, knocked the doors but there’s no one! Holly shit what am I supposed to do?? I called the owner (this time worse, I can’t show him google translate) and tell him I want to check out. He replied ‘Check out? OK!’
So I waited for half an hour and I reckoned he is not coming. So I proceeded to leave the room key in the room and locked the door and went on ahead. (time is precious to me)
Last pic before I abscond without checking out
It was raining 90% when I came down Phu Chi Fa, only stopped when I reached the flatlands.
Route 1148 enroute to Pua -> Bo Kluea
The views started to get interesting..
Route 1148 was stunning, which is why I understand many bikes consider this as the most beautiful road. Well they have not went to Bo Kluea yet…..
Ok so completed route 1148 and reached Pua, had lunch and refuel the bike at the 7-Eleven (AGAIN!)
Ok after Pua started the route towards Bo Kluea (route 1256), some amazing twisties up the mountain. Also it got very cold as I learnt later it was 1715 meters above sea level.
Reached Bo Kluea R&R (already turned into route 1081).
This has to be the best route I’ve ever taken and I’ve seen many votes for it in the GTR forums. The roads are great, well paved and wide sweepers for high speed. Really a motorcyclist’s playground.
Completed the route 1081 and find it really really niceeeee….
Anyway reached Nan and headed to hotel (I booked in advance this time after incident at Phu Chi Fa haha)
Brought street food from the Night Market for dinner at this nice hotel. Real rewarding after yesterday’s experience.
Managed to climb up to Phu Chi Fa today and crossed over to Laos, although didn’t get to see the stunning sunrise. The ride through 1148 & 1081 more than made up for those shortfalls.
Nan was a chill town (no tourist stuff) but it was still pretty nice.
Tomorrow will be just riding back to Chiang Mai via Lampang. Sounds like the fun ended boo hoo…