Photo Trip Report: Camping The North

[PeteC]

1549 appears to have a row of them too, although at distance and I can't really see if classy digs or just local housing.

[buksida]

It was all epically over-priced accommodation for the socialites that flood the place at the weekends. Sapun is essentially a tiny farming village in a valley on the Laos border but some hi-so "dara" had been there and put it on Farcebook so now the sheeple descend in droves every weekend for a selfie-fest. It reminded me a bit of Phu Tubberk in Phetchabun: viewtopic.php?p=496633#p496633

I'm glad we got there on Sunday afternoon!

[STEVE G]

It was all epically over-priced accommodation for the socialites that flood the place at the weekends. Sapun is essentially a tiny farming village in a valley on the Laos border but some hi-so "dara" had been there and put it on Farcebook so now the sheeple descend in droves every weekend for a selfie-fest. It reminded me a bit of Phu Tubberk in Phetchabun: viewtopic.php?p=496633#p496633

I'm glad we got there on Sunday afternoon!

Is there anytime when these places are neither deserted or full of people?
To be honest, I would prefer a situation between, where there is something going on but not too busy.

[buksida]

Doesn't appear to be, most of the owners said they get fully booked at weekends and are dead during the week. I would definitely not entertain the idea of visiting them at weekends and was glad I planned the trip the way I did it (staying in hotels and cities at the weekends). Long weekends are even worse, the places just essentially become one big noisy car park, and the price of accommodation skyrockets - not my idea of relaxing and enjoying nature.

[STEVE G]

^By the time I retire in a couple of years, the Bangkok HiSo crowd will be into something else and it won't be so busy!

[buksida]

The ‘Pua Nam Sai’ campsite on the Pua River is also a very popular weekend spot, but as has been the norm for this trip, we were the only couple there during the week. The owner was nice enough to keep the kitchen open so we had enough to eat for the two-night stay. Additionally, it was the first place on the trip that wasn’t infested with roosters which made for a very peaceful and serene stay.

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To follow: Phu Langka

[lomuamart]

I've meant to ask this before but how much equipment do you take? Do you have the tables, chairs, parasols etc or are they all at the camp sites? Cooking equipment blah blah?

Could be a lot of stuff.

[buksida]

Yeah, it helps to have the truck. The stuff we bring along includes tent, groundsheet and mats, bedding, foldable chairs and table, solar lighting, small cooking stove and pots, fishing rod (optional), cutlery etc, clothing, food, small ice box, and of course something to drink.

You probably could squeeze it all into a small city car, but some of the roads to get to these campsites are definitely not suitable!

The parasols and camping platforms are at the sites, some have better facilities than others so we try to be as reliant on ourselves as we can.

[PeteC]

That would make a good YouTube. "Packing a pick-up for camping in Thailand." What to take and what not to take......

[STEVE G]

^I should think a pickup makes it pretty easy. In my younger days I used to go camping out of a backpack, for six weeks one time.

[lomuamart]

Luxury!!

[STEVE G]

Luxury!!

EI: We never used to have a cup. We used to have to drink out of a rolled up newspaper.

GC: The best WE could manage was to suck on a piece of damp cloth.

TJ: But you know, we were happy in those days, though we were poor.
https://montycasinos.com/montypython/sc ... k.php.html

[buksida]

From here it was a drive west out of Nan province and into Phayao province to the picturesque Phu Langka viewpoint. This is another spot that has become wildly popular with Thai weekend warriors and hi-sos so there was a lot of pricey accommodation up on the mountain.

The reason for the popularity is the ‘talay mork’ [ทะเลหมอก] or ‘sea fog’ that shrouds the plateau in the early mornings during winter. We had to settle for some crop burning smoke in the late afternoon first.

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To follow: Phu Langka sunset

[pharvey]

I'm guessing 1681 or 1695 are not deliberate? I've seen and been part of "controlled" fires in many places - and believe me, they are controlled with regards to wildlife and spread etc. Un-controlled fires are not something you wish to see or experience.

154529(?) Now, that's a view to wake up to (well with the LHG of course!!) - should we introduce "Brownie Points" on the Forum?

[buksida]

We saw both, controlled and uncontrolled fires up north. 99% of them are farmers burning off their fields though, which the government have told them not to do ... but TIT, someone is getting paid to turn a blind eye.

We went across the road to enjoy the sunset but the real joy would be the next morning.

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To follow: Phu Langka