One Horse Open Sleigh

[2wheels]

Tim 'Gnasher' and I headed north on 24th December, having a Christmas Dinner to attend and me having Santa duties to perform.

The compulsory stop at Charin for brunch.
They do the best stuffed omelettes there that I have tasted anywhere in the north; always a pleasant stop.
And their jams are excellent too. Recommend.



Just after Charin it was left onto #1211 and another short stop at the delightful Suandok Coffee.
They offer cinnamon with their cappuchino.

N 19.86480
E 99.77245







In to Mae Chan, where I stayed at the Huannuer Resort for 400 baht and Tim went further north to be a guest of Khun Fon and David Learmonth.

N 20.13441
E 99.86211



That night to Rest@MaeChan pub.
Phil (who's apparently been there before) had the forethought to bring some logs which we set fire to and sat around the camp-fire 'til after midnight (apparently!).






Christmas Day

Santa appointed 'Steaminjungle' as His Little Helper.
We filled a back-pack with goodies and headed to Mae Chan markets where we found lots of kids who, for what-ever reason, were not attending school.
Santa was received very warmly and he saw dozens of smiling faces and appreciative children and parents.
(Pics by 'Steaminjungle')













These students were waiting at a bus stop …



… and after chatting with Santa for a while lined themselves up in descending order.



This lovely lady is the mother of two delightful Burmese girls …



… An and On.



After all that Santa's Little Helper was knackered.



But we had a Christmas Dinner to attend up on the main highway, at Lena House.
A wide selection of delicious buffet goodies was available to devour.

N20.13462
E 99.86177





It had been a good Christmas day.
Tomorrow to Nam Mae Khong.

 

[2wheels]

Boxing Day December 26th


We met up with David L and went out to the excellent Cat Cafe for a snack.
They didn't have electricity but they did have gas.
Good food and service here.

N 20.07269
E 99.86815



Time to 'hit the road', so I went along #1016 into Chiang Saen.
I was curious to see if there were any exotic cars in the Customs Bay but no, only this one getting around the local streets.



Something you don't see every day.



Lots of road-works out from Chiang Saen on #1129.





I always prefer the road which follows the Mekong, #4007.
It was badly pot-holed but no problems with due care.







Into Chiang Khong and, because I wanted to 'check-in' early and have a look around I got one of the first places I saw, Boom House.
250 baht, safe parking, very basic room.
'That should be OK for one night.'



I was to be proven wrong.
My Anti-Karaoke Radar wasn't functioning pre check-in and the noise from a bar, within stone throwing distance, continued through to around 3am.
And the room the nice lady gave me was next to where, as I discovered, Mini buses park and disgorge their loads throughout the night.
Still, they did have free coffee down by the river.
No soap in the showers though.

I had never stayed in CK, always passing through enroute to Laos, so I had a couple of hours to look around before Tim appeared.



Remnants of the ancient city wall (now each side of the main road through CK)





Found at Wat Phra Gow.



Wat Luang. (8th century)







Teak Garden Hotel is expanding.



'Work-place Safety?', what's that?



That's had some fun on the river in years gone by.



The owner of this wonderful Rat Bike later told me about the bridge-crossing situation.
Mind you, he'd had a few whiskies by then!





Time for a snack.



That last step's a real ball tearer.



Excellent sign.

 

[2wheels]

This is what the Rat Bike owner told me about motorbikes crossing on the new bridge from Thailand.

'Get a Motorbike Passport'.
Can be obtained 'from where you bought the bike' or from 'Immigration'.
This 'Motorbike Passport' is 'different from the Green Book'.
With the 'Motorbike Passport' a bike can be ridden across.


But later, at a bar, the Thai owner said this is not the case.
He said the only way is for a motorbike to be put into the back of a 'pick-up' and driven across.

 

[2wheels]

27th December.

Packed, out of the Boom House asap and into the cold and foggy riding conditions along the Mekong again and onto #1155.I rode out to look at the new bridge area.

N 20.21632
E 100. 43111


























A friendly little group collecting rich soil and corn seeds.





Along the excellent #1155, onto #1021 and lunch at Chiang Kham.
Then past Chun and nearing Dokhamtai ….



… they are building a coffee shop and market complex.



Back home after an enjoyable circuit.

 

[The Bigfella]

Great report and photos, thanks Ron

 

[steaminjungle]

Great little report Ron and good pics as always and even the ones I took came out, An and On looked as lovely as ever, 2 kids to I am proud to know.

 

[2wheels]

An interesting overview of Chiang Khong.

Chiang Khong, Mekong River, 4th Laos Thailand Friendship Bridge, Giant Catfish, Huayxai, Mekong Dam Sanyabury, Thailand, Laos, Lanna, Asienreisender


"It is possible that Marco Polo on the way from Beijing/China to Mergui (nowadays Myeik, in Burma/Myanmar) came through Huayxai and Chiang Khong, crossing the Mekong River here. Marco Polo describes this journey in his second book, where he also mentions his stay in Lovu/Lopburi."

(Asienreisendar)

 

[Captain_Slash]

You didnt mention the temperature Ron, were you cold there?

I always stay at the Borisut Guest House N20.27087 E100.40500, its quiet there

 

[2wheels]

Let's just say that I'm so glad I'm not a brass monkey Colin!

Season's greetings to you.

 

[2wheels]

Oh, forgot to mention that I may have passed the first accident that has occurred on the Thai side entrance to/exit from the new bridge!

It seems that a large local 'tuk-tuk' entered the main entrance from a side track and wandered into the path of a grey Mini-bus coming out from the bridge.
They were making 'phone calls and picking up pieces as I passed.
No pics because I'm a bit shy being a ghoul.

 

[2wheels]

I also meant to mention this place, in the main street.

After a few beers elsewhere we went across the road to the Rin Bar where we received very friendly service from the owner and staff
and the very best curries I have tasted anywhere in Thailand (and at a fair price).
Recommend.

Rin Bar Restaurant

 

[2wheels]

Looks like this place at Dokkhamtai on #1021 ('Pasang Country') is now in full swing.
A friend sent me these pics.