A bunch of like minded folk took a spin up to Vana Luang, just past Pai, to see the Red Lahu (Lahu Nyi) New Year celebrations.
Excellent crew, loads of laughs and plenty of differing riding styles and bikes ranging from a Ducati Multistrada to a D-Tracker.
First stop was to let people like me catch up
The ladies were happy. I think they had already figured out what food to order on arrival...
We came to the Soppong River Inn mid afternoon and what a top spot, despite a small glitch in the COLD beer dept. Soon sorted......more or less by the the most hospitable proprietor, Khun Joy
And the ladies found what they needed. Food? More beer by the look of it
Lovely terrace at the back overlooking the river
And a good safe parking spot
After dinns we went up to the village to check out what was going on and landed straight into the restaurant, well stocked with cold beer
Met some new friends
and the kitchen was running hot
The centre piece of the celebrations to come, complete with pigs heads and lots of goodies
and the lads taking a break from trying to blow everyone/thing up with any thing that makes a very loud bang:!:
aided by some helpful adult assistance
even the young gals were exploding fireworks in between putting the lippy on
Concerned juniors listening to a lecture by Khun Boo on 'why its not so good to blow up restaurants' on the basis that someone may get hurt, after half a stick of something thunderous exploded under her table. Well, education has to start at a young age after all
But then the dancers started to arrive after going around the houses paying respects to those Elders who, as yet, had not been blown up
and slowly but surely the show began
Building up a head of steam
and the pipers came to add to the momentum
and more and more joined in. They had the whole night to go with the celebrations as apparently, the dancing goes on until dawn
Tired and exhausted by all the frivolity, we retired to the local karaoke bar for refreshments
but still plenty of action
but microphones were in short supply and so improvisations had to be made
The home trip to CNX called for different levels of riding skills and hangovers to gather together as they saw fit and head home as and when they pleased. We stopped off at a new little coffee shop/resturant in Papae where a stonking latte was served.
A great fun couple of days all in all. Thanks to all who were there for making the ride and evening so enjoyable. I am sure other participants have better pictures and stories to add to this, so bring them on.....
Excellent crew, loads of laughs and plenty of differing riding styles and bikes ranging from a Ducati Multistrada to a D-Tracker.
First stop was to let people like me catch up
The ladies were happy. I think they had already figured out what food to order on arrival...
We came to the Soppong River Inn mid afternoon and what a top spot, despite a small glitch in the COLD beer dept. Soon sorted......more or less by the the most hospitable proprietor, Khun Joy
And the ladies found what they needed. Food? More beer by the look of it
Lovely terrace at the back overlooking the river
And a good safe parking spot
After dinns we went up to the village to check out what was going on and landed straight into the restaurant, well stocked with cold beer
Met some new friends
and the kitchen was running hot
The centre piece of the celebrations to come, complete with pigs heads and lots of goodies
and the lads taking a break from trying to blow everyone/thing up with any thing that makes a very loud bang:!:
aided by some helpful adult assistance
even the young gals were exploding fireworks in between putting the lippy on
Concerned juniors listening to a lecture by Khun Boo on 'why its not so good to blow up restaurants' on the basis that someone may get hurt, after half a stick of something thunderous exploded under her table. Well, education has to start at a young age after all
But then the dancers started to arrive after going around the houses paying respects to those Elders who, as yet, had not been blown up
and slowly but surely the show began
Building up a head of steam
and the pipers came to add to the momentum
and more and more joined in. They had the whole night to go with the celebrations as apparently, the dancing goes on until dawn
Tired and exhausted by all the frivolity, we retired to the local karaoke bar for refreshments
but still plenty of action
but microphones were in short supply and so improvisations had to be made
The home trip to CNX called for different levels of riding skills and hangovers to gather together as they saw fit and head home as and when they pleased. We stopped off at a new little coffee shop/resturant in Papae where a stonking latte was served.
A great fun couple of days all in all. Thanks to all who were there for making the ride and evening so enjoyable. I am sure other participants have better pictures and stories to add to this, so bring them on.....
