Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
With the weather changing from normal hot to very hot I always get a bit edgy so decided that a change of venue from sitting at my desk to fiddling around while on a trip was needed. As I had not been on the "Elephant Trail" for a long time and at that time had not done the whole trail I decided to head out there. The Bigfellah, whose bike was still being repaired quickly volunteered to join me so after a few days we were on the road from Chiangmai to Wat Chan and then on the trail to Mae Hong Son.
A quick noodle lunch in Wat Chan with lots of blooming orchids like "Ueng Kham" (Dendrobium chrysotoxum) in the trees in front of the restaurant
After lunch off to Mae Hong Son on the trail - most of the trail is still unpaved but at the places where the trail is steep, pavement has been put in and sedans and vans can do the trip - while we were leaving Wat Chan a high government official arrived from the trail in a van accompanied by police who were all in big BMW SUV's.
The viewpoint almost at the end of the trail
Just past the viewpoint, a single trail branches off to the north to the Maekutlong waterfall
Later, after having checked in to the Rom Tai Gh (500 Baht a night with aircon and Wifi - Phone 053-61247) and having had a snack and a drink at the Salween River Restaurant the BigFellah went for his mandatory massage and I went up to Wat Phratat Doi Kong Mu to see the sunset. Unfortunately it was quite hazy and cloudy so no real luck here.
During the evening we had some discussions about what to do the next day on our way back to Chiangmai - visiting the Japanese War Museum in Khun Yuam or having a try to get to the Huey helicopter somewhere north of Pai. As it was ANZAC day we decided that visiting the War Museum would be a bit inappropriate so the choice was simple even-though we were not sure if we could reach the old Huey with the truck .
After a hearty breakfast at the Salween it was off to Pai with a stop at the Pang Ma Pha viewpoint for coffee. The ladies did their utmost best to score a sale and in the end the BigFellah could not resist anymore and he bought a nice hat
On our way to the Huey we got a bit lost in Muang Noi but with some back and forth we found the right way and in no time we reached the micro-hydro plant and we knew we were on the right way
Onwards though as we came for the Huey. As we were not completely sure how far it would be and if the big ruts would prevent us from reaching the Huey, we rocked up to an army camp and asked for directions. The guy at the checkpoint could not understand why we were interested in the old Huey and, as he was much more interested in the young ladies helping him at the checkpoint, he waved us on-wards with the message that in about 6 km. we would find other guys who would know the exact location.
And indeed after another 6 km. we found another army checkpoint and the young guy told us that the Huey was just around the corner.
The army camp on the other side of the road from the Huey
The Bigfellah taking a picture at the place where the Huey hit the landing pad
Plenty of losse panels lying around inside the Huey
On the way back we picked up a few women with their dogs walking along the track on their way to the temple.
Just past Muang Noi we passed an ancient temple and had a quick look. The wooden bridge did not look to sturdy and swayed quite a bit when we crossed to get to the temple
A quick noodle lunch in Wat Chan with lots of blooming orchids like "Ueng Kham" (Dendrobium chrysotoxum) in the trees in front of the restaurant
After lunch off to Mae Hong Son on the trail - most of the trail is still unpaved but at the places where the trail is steep, pavement has been put in and sedans and vans can do the trip - while we were leaving Wat Chan a high government official arrived from the trail in a van accompanied by police who were all in big BMW SUV's.
The viewpoint almost at the end of the trail
Just past the viewpoint, a single trail branches off to the north to the Maekutlong waterfall
Later, after having checked in to the Rom Tai Gh (500 Baht a night with aircon and Wifi - Phone 053-61247) and having had a snack and a drink at the Salween River Restaurant the BigFellah went for his mandatory massage and I went up to Wat Phratat Doi Kong Mu to see the sunset. Unfortunately it was quite hazy and cloudy so no real luck here.
During the evening we had some discussions about what to do the next day on our way back to Chiangmai - visiting the Japanese War Museum in Khun Yuam or having a try to get to the Huey helicopter somewhere north of Pai. As it was ANZAC day we decided that visiting the War Museum would be a bit inappropriate so the choice was simple even-though we were not sure if we could reach the old Huey with the truck .
After a hearty breakfast at the Salween it was off to Pai with a stop at the Pang Ma Pha viewpoint for coffee. The ladies did their utmost best to score a sale and in the end the BigFellah could not resist anymore and he bought a nice hat
On our way to the Huey we got a bit lost in Muang Noi but with some back and forth we found the right way and in no time we reached the micro-hydro plant and we knew we were on the right way
Onwards though as we came for the Huey. As we were not completely sure how far it would be and if the big ruts would prevent us from reaching the Huey, we rocked up to an army camp and asked for directions. The guy at the checkpoint could not understand why we were interested in the old Huey and, as he was much more interested in the young ladies helping him at the checkpoint, he waved us on-wards with the message that in about 6 km. we would find other guys who would know the exact location.
And indeed after another 6 km. we found another army checkpoint and the young guy told us that the Huey was just around the corner.
The army camp on the other side of the road from the Huey
The Bigfellah taking a picture at the place where the Huey hit the landing pad
Plenty of losse panels lying around inside the Huey
On the way back we picked up a few women with their dogs walking along the track on their way to the temple.
Just past Muang Noi we passed an ancient temple and had a quick look. The wooden bridge did not look to sturdy and swayed quite a bit when we crossed to get to the temple
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