A Smoky Mae Hong Son Loop

DavidFL

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Rider: David Unk
Dates: Monday 27th Feb - Friday 2nd March 2012.
Why: Time for a break & ride, plus check out a Red Lahu & Lisu New Year in Soppong / Pang Mapha.

Monday 27th
A late getaway as usual, but no rush as long as I was in the Soppong River Inn by dark & in time for a beer with Burt 'n Joy.

R1095 Mae Malai - Huay Nam Dang

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was not as dry or smoky as Huay Nam Dang - Pai - Soppong

The Kiew Lom viewpoint Pai - Soppong.

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more to come...
 

DavidFL

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Tuesday 28th Feb 2012

At 8.15 am the next morning it was still a nippy 12 celsius, & what a contrast to the mid 30s during the afternoon. It must have been 10 celsius in the wee hours & that's why I woke up & fumbled around putting another layer of blankets on. Ho. Ho. That's a 20 degree temp range chaps.

The early morning view from the Soppong River Inn Deck

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photos for those curious about the air quality.

I sauntered off downtown & lucked out with the weekly Talad Nut; & Soppong was a rockin'...

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Some of the girls went shopping for jewellery

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while the guys did manly things

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there were some classic faces & characters present

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Lisu fish vendors

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where do the fish come from?

Miss Ae, ex Little Eden staff now has her own stall in the market place

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A Hmong couple from Pang Ung on R1263 the Khun Yuam - Mae Na Chon road.

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A few Lisu old timers & a blow in..

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DavidFL

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Tuesday 28th Feb 2012 continued

To kill a bit more time before the night's festivities I pottered west along R1095

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it was quite windy at elevation & the smoke was not so dense in most places.

The afternoon view at the Pang Mapha viewpoint

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and wouldn't you like to have 20 baht for every photo taken of the granny Lahu superstar at the viewpoint!

R1095

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stopped taking a photo, a farang slowly rides past me & does a few double takes of me & the bike. I take my photos & before I can remount he turns back & rides up alongside to introduce himself - Mark - & my old bike! Yep he's got my ex Baja from 14 odd years ago. I traded it for the Africa Twin with the new Italian husband of my ex wife, who later sold the Baja to Phil Bowyer, who sold it to his English mate Mark!

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in that time the Baja has 85,000 kms on the clock & Ive put 300,000 kms on the AT. The AT is a winner.

Wat Mae Lanna

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There's a new aircon coffeeshop in Pang Mapha

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belong to the Rock Resort, & run by Miss Ang

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the coffee is good, the service is good, it's spotlessly clean & it's AIRCON. Check it out for a cool break from a hot road & ride!

The tip off I received 2 days earlier was that there would be both a Red Lahu & Lisu New Year celebration in villages in Pang Mapha.
The Lahu village was Wana Luang

Wana Luang at sunset

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looks pretty sleepy & not a great deal going on.
And that's how it was. Wana Luang is pretty "modernised" & I saw no dancing or costumes, just a lot of folk sitting on their porches drinking whisky & kids letting off fireworks.
Oh well you can't win them all, but it was Red Lahu New Year that night in Wana Luang.

The back up new year then was Lisu in Nong Tong, just across the road from the Soppong River Inn
A good crowd of Lisu people in costume dancing & obviously proud of their culture & traditions.

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DavidFL

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A few happy snaps to finish off

Wednesday 29th Feb 2012
R1095 Soppong - Mae Hong Son

The Pang Mapha viewpoint in the morning

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zilch for a view due to the cool damp air.

The local temple in Nam Kat

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On the"home straight" out of the hills & into Mae Hong Son

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The Mae Hong Son Tourist Police have a blow up GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map on display

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Wat Doi Kong Mou overlooking Mae Hong Son

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Nok Air taking off from Mae Hong Son airport

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while the air is still relatively clean & clear. 2 days earlier it was too smoky with poor visibility for the flights to come in. So you get good & bad days.

Thursday 1st March 2012.
Mae Hong Son - Mae Sarieng
R108 Mae Hong Son - Khun Yuam

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Friday 2nd March 2012
R108 Mae Sarieng - Hot

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Jurgen

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Loved the pictures David, particularly the people. So many opportunities for great shots close to home! I hope that the artificial mist will soon dissipate and that we can enjoy blue sky over MHS again.