Lampang - Wat Si Luang Chae Son - A Ghost Festival

[DavidFL]

A small item in my news feed caught my attention - a 400 year old ghost festival, like Pi Ta Khon in Dan Sai (?), but more Lao style and in Lampang.

In Amphoe Chae Hom, there is a village called Ban Luang whose people trace their heritage to Laos.
The community preserves an ancient ghost festival reminiscent of the Phi Ta Khon celebrations of Dan Sai in Loei Province.
This “hairy ghost” festival carries a unique local belief: those who feel they lack physical attractiveness or romantic opportunities can improve their fortunes by taking part. It is said that by participating, they will be rewarded in the next life with beauty, love, and admiration—bringing greater auspiciousness and happiness to their future.

Something unique & special to check out = I couldn't resist.
I set off from Chiang Khong at 4pm for a 250 kms ride.
Better late than never & a nice time to test the new iridium visor in the heat & fading light to be.

To be continued.

 

[DavidFL]

Its a 250 kms ride to the festival destination from Chiang Mai, but my getaway rime from Chiang Khong is a tardy 4.20pm.
"Flat knackers" it is down 1020 & across onto 1421, the Phaya Mengrai bypass, to Chiang Rai and highway one to head south on R1 to Phayao for my first stop.
The iridium visor works a gem cutting out so much heat & glare riding West into the sun on R1421 towards Chiang Rai.
On R1 in the fading light & then 40 kms of light rain, it got a bit tricky, requiring some concentration.

Arrival time in Phayao was 6.30 & time for a meal.

The Suktae restaurant is a fave GTR food spot for some excellent kow soi.

The Suktae
(Phayao Restaurants)

Back on the road after a sumptious kow soi it was an enjoyable ride across R120 to Wang Nua.
The road condition of R120 was superb I thought & the wafting smoke in the cooling night air made the ride all feel somewhat magical - I enjoy night riding.
However with the iridium visor you need to ride with the visor up at night.
This does not bother me at all, as my seating position on the Vstrom with the screen I have on the bike, means that all the air is deflected up & over helmet.
My eyes never even water from the air flow with the visor fully up!

Arrival time in Wang Nua was 8.15pm.
It was another 60 kms to the festival destination, but with what looked like only homestays available for accommodation, opted to take on Wang Nua city for the night.

The Wang Nua place hotel was my choice for the night.

@ 400 baht top value with nice clean quiet rooms.

(Wang Nua Accommodation)

A slow survey wander arriving in Wang Nua megatropolis turned nothing enticing for the night, even for a hound dog like me.
So it was a relaxed evening in my room, challenging the Dtac & WiFi networks for a decent signal = I failed on both accounts.
So it will be time to give up with Dtac after 11 years & switch back to AIS.

Chiang Khong - Wang Nua.

To be continued..