Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
This weekend I was off again on one of my mapping and fiddling-around trips - this time to Chiangkhong. The routes taken: Rd 118, 2037, 2019, 118, 1, 1233, 1173, 1098, 1174, 1020, No Number, 1020, 4018, 4008, 1174, 1152, 1020. 1, 118 - Total Distance 620 Km. (with overnight in Chiangkhong).
First stop was Wat Phrachao Thong Thip (N19.61486 E99.46940) at Ban Si Thoi just a bit south-west of Mae Suai. I was told that this was an important temple and while that may be true I could not really find it a nice looking temple. In particular the part built in the water which looked more like a ship than a temple was not something which I liked.
Rickety bamboo bridge to the other side of the water.
MX track along the new road to the bridge under construction to Laos and the guys going home after playing in the mud
The Customs/Immigration buildings at the new border crossing point under construction and the "end of the road for now" where the new bridge starts.
View to the Lao side of the bridge
The GPS track of the new road to the bridge with the MX track and the swithover point (left to right hand traffic) just before where the bridge starts.
Overnight in Chiangkhong at the Tamilla Guesthouse and dinner with David and Mai at the Bamboo Bar/Restaurant (good Mexican Food) where we tried to solve some of the worlds problems while creating new problems (no more Beer Leo in the fridge). The next morning I had a quick look at the Mekong river and the Ferry Crossing.
Sun-rise over Huay Xay
Breakfast at the Tamilla - nice brown bread with a Cheese Omelette and strong black coffee and as many bananas as you would like (hanging there for the taking).
The Kong is quite high and the ferry had a struggle going upstream
After solving some map problems and enjoying nice orchids in full bloom at David and Mai's place it was off into a southerly direction.
Phratat Chom Tong (Huay Tong - N20.11769 E100.42383)
Phratat Si Lanna (N20.06954 E100.39945)
Quite some time ago I had been on Rd 4018 but at that time the rain was bucketing down so I decided to break-off my attemp but this time I went all the way from the 1020 to the 1155 and back. Steep in places but otherwise a beautiful ride.
The map of the area showing Rd 4018
Elevation profile of Rd 4018 from Rd 1155 to Rd 1020
Chaomae Nang Kaeo Shrine (N19.06677 E99.37773). At the top of Doi Nang Kaew between Mae Kachan and Doi Saket you will hear many people honk their horns to show their respect to the spirit Nang Kaeo. A female spirit is said to haunt the area, her shrine can be seen on the left (north side of the road) where many villagers would offer up wooden phalluses. Buddhists have since erected a statue of Buddha and a sign that reads "Nang Kaeo has gone to paradise and doesn't need penises anymore" but I am not sure if that really has helped much.
First stop was Wat Phrachao Thong Thip (N19.61486 E99.46940) at Ban Si Thoi just a bit south-west of Mae Suai. I was told that this was an important temple and while that may be true I could not really find it a nice looking temple. In particular the part built in the water which looked more like a ship than a temple was not something which I liked.
Rickety bamboo bridge to the other side of the water.
MX track along the new road to the bridge under construction to Laos and the guys going home after playing in the mud
The Customs/Immigration buildings at the new border crossing point under construction and the "end of the road for now" where the new bridge starts.
View to the Lao side of the bridge
The GPS track of the new road to the bridge with the MX track and the swithover point (left to right hand traffic) just before where the bridge starts.
Overnight in Chiangkhong at the Tamilla Guesthouse and dinner with David and Mai at the Bamboo Bar/Restaurant (good Mexican Food) where we tried to solve some of the worlds problems while creating new problems (no more Beer Leo in the fridge). The next morning I had a quick look at the Mekong river and the Ferry Crossing.
Sun-rise over Huay Xay
Breakfast at the Tamilla - nice brown bread with a Cheese Omelette and strong black coffee and as many bananas as you would like (hanging there for the taking).
The Kong is quite high and the ferry had a struggle going upstream
After solving some map problems and enjoying nice orchids in full bloom at David and Mai's place it was off into a southerly direction.
Phratat Chom Tong (Huay Tong - N20.11769 E100.42383)
Phratat Si Lanna (N20.06954 E100.39945)
Quite some time ago I had been on Rd 4018 but at that time the rain was bucketing down so I decided to break-off my attemp but this time I went all the way from the 1020 to the 1155 and back. Steep in places but otherwise a beautiful ride.
The map of the area showing Rd 4018
Elevation profile of Rd 4018 from Rd 1155 to Rd 1020
Chaomae Nang Kaeo Shrine (N19.06677 E99.37773). At the top of Doi Nang Kaew between Mae Kachan and Doi Saket you will hear many people honk their horns to show their respect to the spirit Nang Kaeo. A female spirit is said to haunt the area, her shrine can be seen on the left (north side of the road) where many villagers would offer up wooden phalluses. Buddhists have since erected a statue of Buddha and a sign that reads "Nang Kaeo has gone to paradise and doesn't need penises anymore" but I am not sure if that really has helped much.
