Thoeng-Nan-Phayao-Thoeng

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We needed a break, so we left a few days ago to visit Nan and Phayao, sorry to say we did it by car, we have a new Honda HR-V and only recently got it plated, time for a test drive!

Day 1) Thoeng via the 1021 to Chiang Kham, than the 1148 and the 101 (most maps will state 1080) into Nan.

Day 2) Visiting a friend of Pun in Wiang Sa and in the afternoon via the 1026 to Na Noi to visit Sao Din Earth Pillars park. Back to Nan same route.

Day 3) From Nan to via the 1169, than the 1081 to Bo Klua with the ancient salt wells. In the afternoon via Doi Phu Kha national park (unfortunately the Chompu
Phu Kha trees, Bretschneidera sinensis, were not flowering, wrong season?) than on to Pua and the 1080 back back to Nan.

Day 4) Temple tour (9 off) in and around Nan.

Day 5) Via the 1091 just passing Chiang Muan, from there the 1251 and the last bit to Phayao on the 1202.

Day 6) From the 1202 just passing Pa Daet, there onto the 4005 and on the 1020 the last bit to home.

In all about 900 kilometres.

 

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Day 2, Sao Din Earth Pillars in Na Noi, Nan province.

When we got out of the car it was very hot, no shade and the place reminded me of a moon landscape or a desert.
But very beautiful and fortunately we were the only visitors apart from a minivan with elderly Thai ladies who did not venture very far.
Bring your own water, nothing to buy there!

 

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Day 3, Bo Klua's ancient salt wells, this one is 18 meter deep and is well number 2, we did not go looking for well 1.
Water is pumped on the salt layer and after some time the brine is pumped out of the well.
De brine is cooked on a wood fire till crystallization, an ancient process.

Doi Phu Kha at 1715 meter height......Time for some water.

 

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Day 4, Sunday March 1, we are going to do something we have never done before, we are going to visit 9 temples in 1 day.

The first one is Wat Changcum, it has a beautiful standing Buddha image in the right hand building.

We walk on to Wat Phumin, Nan's most famous temple with the ancient murals.

Than Wat Ming Muang, Nan's own white temple.

We walk on to Wat Apai, not a very interesting Wat (so no picture) and we move on to Wat Sri Punton.

With more modern but also great murals.

And huge dragon boats.

Wat Mongkol is still under renovation.

After a short lunch and a rest we move on.Just outside Nan is Wat Phatat Che Hang.

A police officer shows me an ancient Buddha image in a small separate building.
Pun was not allowed inside!

Slowly it turns evening and the sun colors the sky gold, photographers golden hour starts!
Wat Suantan, Pun takes a rest on top of the stairs.

The last temple is Wat Huakang, just in front of the Nan Lanna hotel where we stayed.

 

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We stayed in Nan here: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/accommodation-north-thailand/646-nan-accommodation.html
And in Phayao here: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/accommodation-north-thailand/3258-phayao-accommodation.html

And it was great to see and eat at Tony's place and meet with Wan!

 

[Gnasher328]

Nice photo over Doi Phuka Park for the time of year.

 

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Yes, I guess it will be more foggy now.
The trip to Phayao was also quite foggy, fortunately I do not have many issues with this type of smog.

 

[bsacbob]

Yes nice clear pictures Marcel, amazing the difference just a few days make when compared to today's smog levels.

 

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Interesting article in the BKK Post about the compensations for ex Communist fighters: Out of the jungle, but left in the wilderness | Bangkok Post: news