We are now in Northern Thailand where it is much greener, less polluted and life is lived at a slower pace. We caught the overnight train to Chiang Mai which was fun. The staff were great, really happy and friendly, even after working all night and catching a few hours sleep on the train floor. As you can see from the pics, the train is set out as seats for the first few hours then transformed into bunk beds.
The bottom bunk is the largest so Andy had that one, and me on the top. The trains are bumpy and rickety and after a few too many, I managed to somehow fall out of my bed, so we ended up sharing bottom bunk.
We arrived in Chiang Mai and stayed for two nights, visiting more temples and some night markets.
More words from the wise man!
Mural paintings inside a temple
Night Markets
Local delicacies at the night market!
Me eating a worm!!!
Could only manage half of it, it was disgusting!
Tastier treats.
A stall for Teddy
On the third day we decided to hire a moped for our Northern Thailand bike tour. We decided on a Manual 125cc and after riding around a car park to practice and only falling off once, we decided we were ready to set off. So armed with our rucksack and map, we hit the road.
Chiang Mai to Mae Chaem
1st pit stop
We were cutting through Doi Inthanon National Park as the loop we had originally planned would have taken too long. The summit of Doi Inthanon is the highest peak in Thailand so we were on pretty high ground for much of the day. The bike was struggling up the hills so we were losing time and needed to get to the next town before sunset. Unfortunately (but also fortunately as it was stunning) we missed our turn off and ended up at the peak of the mountain!
The peak!
The views were fantastic, but we had to leave quickly in order to make it to the next town. On the way back down it was so steep we had to have full breaks on and we were still flying round the windy roads. We were worried about the breaks and then our worst fear came true – THEY STOPPED WORKING!! Somehow Andy managed to stop the bike using his feet as breaks until the bike stopped.
Seconds later, a pickup truck stopped and a fantastic Thai-Dutch couple helped us lift the bike into the back of the truck and drove us to the next town 15km away. We were unable to take any pics as we had to hold onto the bike in the back of the moving truck but during that last 15km we saw some of the most stunning natural beauty of the area surrounding the town of Mae Cheam.
We spent two nights in Mae Cheam, an amazingly friendly, non tourist town where we were the only westerners and something of a novelty for the locals.
Pretty Mae Chaem
Full moon rising over Mae Chaem
Misty Morning
But soon brightened up for a relaxing day around the pool!
The bike was fine and after it had rested the brakes worked again. We put it down to the fact that we expected a 125cc to carry us both and our rucksack containing all of our worldly belongings 128km over the highest peak in Thailand. Me and my bloody short cuts!!!
Mae Chaem to Khun Yuam
On the road again!
Rural Thailand
Northern Thailand traffic!
I think the next town is just over that hill.
Or is it that one???
Fork in the road.
Hmmmm really should've learnt some Thai!!!!
But Vegas is easily sign posted!
One more hill to go...
Better refuel!
So after 5 hours and 108km we arrived in Khun Yuam
Khun Yuam is a pretty town, a lot larger than the previous one but not as friendly. The locals are mainly Thai-Japanese as many Japanese soldiers settled here after the war. There are also many ethnic hill tribe people that travel down from the villages.
Monks on a mission
Thai-Japanese Memorial Museum
We have spent two days here so tomorrow we will be heading to Mae Hong Son for a few days, then on to Pai. The distances will be less between towns from now and hopefully the roads better!!!
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