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 »

The afternoon was spent enjoying the sun in the chilly climes of the hills at Phu Chi Fa. Most people make the journey here to experience the sunrise and the famous cloud, mist and fog shrouded views over the valleys and hills of Laos. There were a number of little shacks selling traditional Lao clothing and woolly hats but other than that the place was deserted.

We were here mid-afternoon and the potential for a good sunset was brewing nicely so we made our way to the 'base camp' and started on the 750 meter trek to the summit as the sun slunk lower in the sky to the west casting long shadows over the Mekong valley in Laos to the east.
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The beauty of this place and the silent serenity that surrounded it was amazing, very few other people about also which just enhanced the ambiance. We were only at around 1,630 meters but it really felt like you could touch the sky up here.
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To follow: Phu Chi Fa sunrise
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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The temperature dropped that night to below ten degrees ... which is bloody cold if you're not acclimatised to it! We were in for an early start, 04.30 up and out, heading back to the start of the trail to make the slippery, torch-lit ascent for sunrise. There were a lot mot people this time, easily over a hundred. The cold and darkness didn't deter parents from positioning their children in local garb at strategic positions along the trail where they could sell plastic torches or sing a song on loop for a dollar.

We found ourselves a good vantage point at the top and settled in for the show.
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To follow: More from Phu Chi Fa
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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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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The colours and ambiance changed as the sun slowly hauled itself up for the day. Clouds would envelop us dropping the visibility to zero then, as quick as they came, would disappear revealing another spectacular vista. The Lao kids singing the same song a thousand times were beginning to irritate.
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To follow: Mae Fah Luang Botanical Gardens
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Vital Spark »

Boy, am I enjoying this trip. Fabulous photos, and it looks like you're having some lovely weather.

VS :cheers:
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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It was time to get on the road again and head north towards Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle. We stopped halfway at Mae Fah Luang and Doi Tung to marvel at the Royal flower gardens. In remembrance of HRH Princess Srinagarindra (the King's mother) entrance was free this week.
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The photographer got a bit carried away with the orchids.
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To follow: Doi Tung Royal Villa
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Love that caterpillar. (it is a caterpillar isn't it?)
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Adjacent to the flower gardens was the Doi Tung Royal Villa where the Princess Mother spent her final days. We were allowed to go in on a little tour providing we wore plastic bags on our feet! A headset was issued (in English, Thai or Chinese) to explain the various rooms and artifacts in the place as people shuffled around in hushed tones - it was all very efficient. Photographs were not allowed inside so these are the only ones I could get.
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A little tourist tat market was outside selling the usual junk.
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To follow: Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Great photos, thanks for sharing them. :thumb:
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Our destination was Mae Sai, a nondescript border town with absolutely nothing of interest, with the hope of going across the border to Tachileik the following day. As usual there were problems but, unlike normal dealings with Thai officialdom, the farang could go across with ease (for 500 baht of course). The Thais had to go to the amphur office and get an exit permit if they wanted to go into Myanmar (I'd always assumed they could just cross with their ID cards). Wasting half a morning in a Thai government office was not an option as time was against us, we gave up on the Burma idea and headed east again to the Golden Triangle.
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There isnt really much at the GT aside from a Buddha statue, a couple of signs, and the usual tourist tat stalls. We were there before the Chinese tour buses arrived so were hounded by boat drivers wanting to fleece us 500 baht for a 5 minute trip across the river to a market on the Lao side. Grabbed a couple of shots and jumped back in the car to head back towards Chiang Rai for our final night which was spent mostly relaxing by the pool and doing a but of last minute shopping in the night bazaar.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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We crossed over to Burma through the crossing you have pictured about 5 years ago. Maybe the rules were different, or perhaps my wife showed her USA passport, but we were through quickly.

We didn't have a lot of time, and on foot, but not much exciting within walking distance! Seemed same-same as Thailand, but dirtier.

Would like to see more of Burma though, I think next year
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Here is a map of the routes we took:
map.jpg
I preferred Chiang Rai over Mai - it was much more laid back, easier to get around, and not as expensive. I guess like comparing Prachuap to Hua Hin. I could live up there but have yet to experience the smog that plagues the place for several months a year so that maybe off putting.

Thanks for all the comments, full galleries and trip reports can be found on OTRA:
http://ontheroadasia.com/chiang-mai.php
http://ontheroadasia.com/chiang-rai.php
http://ontheroadasia.com/phuchifa.php

Until the next trip ...
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Thanks for the report, I've enjoyed it (reliving some of our recent visits and learning about a lot of new, interesting places) - a lot of good ideas for the next time we go that way. Although we'll be travelling at the request of Chiang Mai University, a base in Chiang Rai is a definite possibility, so we'll probably opt for that option at some stage.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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Spend quite some time in Chiang Rai myself and never encountered or heard of the smog problem. As far as I know it is a Chiang Mai thing due to its location in a valley completely surrounded by relatively high mountains. Such is not the case with Chiang Rai.

Buksida, you should have visited Rico's for a beer. That is where many Chiang Rai expats meet and you would have noticed that without exception they all love living there. Most have lived in other places in Thailand previously and most moved to Chiang Rai because their partner is from there.

Anyway, thank you for taking us along on this exciting trip! Very much appreciated.
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