Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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buksida
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by buksida »

One of the rare few places we visited that didn't charge to get in ... Buddha doesn't need tourist dollars it seems. However donations were made to create your own silver dangly bauble to hang there for eternity.
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This place had some bizarro sculptures and the most pimped toilet block I've ever seen. Smoke here and Satan will destroy you.
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Fortunately they kicked everyone out for lunch break so you could get a postcard shot.
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To follow: Singha Boonrawd Farm Park
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Dannie Boy »

That is indeed very impressive!!
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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A few clicks down the road from the white temple is the Boonrawd Singha Park; sprawling, cleanly kept grounds of bicycle lanes, lakes, flower gardens, animal enclosures, cowboy ranches, tea plantations and lawns with a backdrop of green carpeted undulating hills. Again, no charge to get in and a few options of exploring this impressive place - an electric bus which 99% of the Thai and Chinese took, or rental mountain bikes which of course we opted for.
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A good bit of Rossi-Marquez action was had between myself and buksi jr.
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The cowboy ranch had coffee and beer shops - Singha only naturally.
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This thing was still under construction so no access - but great views from the top I expect when finished.
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The animal enclosures where large and offered a lot of space in contrast to the cooped up creatures at Chiang Mai zoo.
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Enjoying a farm made ice cream when a flock of these swooped in out of nowhere.
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Absolutely loved this place, the only drawback is that it was still under construction so there were JCBs, trucks and builders blotting what otherwise would have been stunning landscape.

To follow: relaxing by the River Kok
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by lomuamart »

That does look good.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by migrant »

Very nice, never saw it on our trips up there
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Big Boy »

Those tarmac roads look superb for Thailand - were they really that good, or is it selective photography by the cameraman?
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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These were bicycle tracks in the complex, but in general yes, the roads were very good up there compared with the shite we have to drive on in the south.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Zidane »

Great pics and trip report......very enjoyable to follow.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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After a hard day touring we returned to our favourite spot by the River Kok for some sun-downers and a spot of fishing.
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To follow: Riding into the hinterlands
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Bamboo Grove »

About 17 years ago I took a boat trip down the Kok river: six hours in a cramped boat where you couldn't straighten your legs. Great scenery but in the end you could only wish for the journey to end. I think, you did it the better way.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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It was time to do what we do best and get on two wheels. We were heading west up the river valley and into the mountains that border Burma in search of waterfalls, hot springs, Lanna villages and general adventure. It no longer feels like you're in Thailand when exploring these parts, long gone are the SUVs, Starbucks and iPhones that today's materialist Siamese clamor for with such fervor. They are replaced with rolling hills, river valleys, bamboo hut villages, buffalo carts and subsistence farming - a truly timeless place.
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This rickety old bridge spanning the Kok was good fun to ride over.
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There are a number of seldom visited hot springs up here - time for a boiled egg or two.
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To follow: Huay Gaew waterfall
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Big Boy »

Did they eat the eggs? It took us a long time to cook them, but we did :D

Don't know if it was just in the mind, or the windy roads, but we felt quite sick for a while afterwards :cry:
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Ate the eggs, but yes it took ages to cook them!

That's why twisty roads are better on two wheels!
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Crossing the river we were in search of a secluded local waterfall. The 'road' getting there was a challenge to say the least but the rental PCXs were up to the task. Riding along winding paths through tea plantations and rustic villages felt like being in a different country.
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Back in the city we found this little local hangout called "Chiang Rai Beach"
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Naturally, being a local hangout, it had been trashed by the locals.
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To follow: The road to Laos
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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It was time to get back on the road so we hired a car (Honda Jazz this time) for a few days, bid our farewells to our hosts at Homestay Chiang Rai and headed east towards the Laos border.

Our final destination was the Phu Chi Fa viewpoint but we thought we'd take the scenic route via Phayao province and the Phu Sang national park.
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Border crossing with Laos, there was supposed to be a market here but we didn't find much.
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As we climbed the scenery became more spectacular with epic views around every corner.
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Finally we reached the little village at the base of Phu Chi Fa, a cluster of cheap bungalows clinging to the side of the mountain.
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We spoke to a restaurant owner where we'd just had lunch who offered us a couple of new rooms at 500 baht per night.
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Office with a view.
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Local kids would rock up and burst into song and dance - a novelty at first but it soon wore off!
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To follow: Phu Chi Fa sunset
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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