Late - but not too late - GT Ride 01/2015

[Winghunter]

Hi guys,

I apologize for not beeing on the forum for such a long time. first of all I have a very busy time in business and second I had a problem to get back on the forum, since the forum has moved. David was so nice and took me back yesterday.

Before I will start to post my pictures and some stories beside, I would like to let you know, that our trip was the best trip I ever had in my life. It was absolutely stunning. Our group was perfect, no trouble around was the precondition for a good trip. My friend Doc and his daughter and my son and me joined the trip. We were on the road with three bikes.

We picked up the bikes at Chiang Rai Big Bike Rental in chiang Rai. Two Versys and one CB 500. Not even a minor problem with the bikes. they were in a great condition. Thanks to Bryan !

A kind of a base camp we had in Chiang Rai at Ben`s guesthouse. Simple but with a great spirit. All of us enjoyed the hotel. From there we had daily trips around.

We also wanted to stay on the MHS Loop but due to a very bad weather forecast, we decied in Mae Sot not to stay on the Loop. Instead we returned and stopped in Sukhothai which was a very impressive place.

I am not that kind of a good story writer - apologizes , so I will concentrate on the pictures.

At the end of our trip we were a few days in Khanom, which was a nice place but we had monsun rain every day. anyway after the great time we had in Northern Thailand, it was a kind of boaring. We made a daily trip by to Koh Samui which was wasted time. Unfriendly locals, loud tourists everywhere. What a big difference to the North.

Resume: 

I will be back in Northern Thailand for another ride Need to finish the MHS Loop This time I will be there from January 1st - January 14th, 2016. Flights are already booked and the bikes as well. Will do the trip this time with my best buddy Peter.

It was really impressive for our group how friendly the locals in northern Thailand were. Unknown people invited us for lunch somewhere in the middle of nowwhere. Whenever we stopped at a gas station, they gave us a bottle of water for free or they just invited us for a cup of tea.

The roads we have ridden in combination with the stunning nature made it to the best motorcycle trip I have ever made in my life and I made quite a few

Wat Rong Khun and Sukhothai were amazing places. We also enjoyed the small temples along our trip. Just great.

Good to be back on the forum and I hope you guys will enjoy the pictures.

Our group - from left to the right

David my son, Miriam - the daughter of Doc, me and Doc

Stunning - view point on top of the Samoeng Loop

For my opinion, the best food court we have been, was the one in Chiang Rai at the Night Market

Ha and I was the only one who have tried the worms and insects

The worms were absolutely tasty

Part 2 will follow

 

[Winghunter]

Trip get started at Bens Guesthouse in Chiang Rai

Tachileik

Golden Triangle

Loveley food

Samoeng Loop

Part 3 will follow

 

[DavidFL]

Rudy great to see you writing this up. It certainly looks like you had some fun on the trip.

How did you like / rate the guesthouse - Ben guesthouse - in Chiang Rai?  It looks pretty good to me.

 

[Winghunter]

Bens Guesthouse is a charming place. Its not a luxury place to sleep. The hotel rates are cheap. I would rate it as Standard but - it is a very charming place.  Rooms are clean. Nothing to worry about. We enjoyed the evening hours in the garden when having a beer or two or three

Nice pool, not too far away from the Night Market - still walking distance, around 20 minutes to get there. Or just take a Tuk Tuk - costs 100 Baht.

Don`t take breakfast at Bens Guesthouse better stay at a small restaurant which is 100mtrs away from the hotel.

I would recommend Bens Guesthouse to all others. Perfect place to stay.

 

[Winghunter]

On the road

The Postman

Part 4 will follow

 

[Winghunter]

Wat Rong Khun

its an amazing place. Very impressive

Sukhothai

My personal favourite

Part 5 will follow

 

[Winghunter]

Temples along the route

All of us were real fascinated about all the temples. Just amazing and stunning

I do not remember exactly where this temple was located. May be you guys have an idea. Would like to go there again. It was a kind of Dineyland. Had a long talk with one of the priests. Their intention for this themple is to have different kinds of Buddhism from all around Asia within the temple area.

HAve you noticed the damage ? Have seen also some damages at Wat Rong Kun. An earlier earthquake made the damages.

On the other side, in opposite of above temple area, we have found this old temple area. Very impressive. Tells a bit about the history. Very nice place !

They even have a bridge to get without danger on the other side of the road.

Part 6 will follow. Hope you guys like the pictures so far ?

 

[blackb15]

Good write up and pictures well done I'm in Chaing Mai just arrived yesterday I may follow some of your route and stopping places

thanks and safe riding

Paul

 

[Winghunter]

Thanks Paul. Have fun and enjoy the time beeing there I have to wait another 2 month

 

[Winghunter]

Part 6

Temples along the route

Last part of my trip report will follow soon

 

[Winghunter]

Before I will start the last part of the trip review, just a few notes.

If you are a Newbie on the roads of Thailand, watch up the road surface. I had a pretty scary moment. The road was very slippery and wavy, traffic slowed down and I was much too fast. I hitted both brakes very hard to avoid a crash in the rear of the car in front of me. It never happened to me before, that the ABS of the front wheel reacted. At that time it did - lucky me, the bike had ABS

Close to Sukhotahi, there was an explosion in one of my side bags The day before we bought two bottles of Strawberry wine along the road. I stored it in one of my side bags. We had the intention to empty the bottles on that day - lol. I just forgot the heat and the bumpy roads. Close to Sukhothai I heard a real loud explosion. First I thought, that I have a flat tire but then I saw the wine coming out of the side bag. Smell was delicious

Both bottles exploded

Hotel and Resort recommondations :

Bens Guesthouse in Chiang Rai

Perfect location to explore the Northern Region - cheap and charming

Suan Darb Porn Resoort, Mae Sot

Nice cabins, reasonable prices

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/suan-darb-porn-resort.de.html

Ma Chic and Cozy, Lampamg

cheap and very nice rooms. On the other side of the road there is a very good restaurant visited mostly by locals. Great Thai Food - highly recommended

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/ma-chic-amp-cozy.de.html?aid=356985;label=gog235jc-hotel-de-th-suanNdarbNpornNresort-unspec-de-com-L%3Ade-O%3Aunk-B%3Aunk-N%3AXX-S%3Abo-U%3Ac;sid=88f1a17adec2213aef62fa2207501ae7;dcid=1;dist=0;group_adults=2;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;srfid=d72b5a7ca65079cd556152590fd6c2c9b4fa6e7bX15;type=total;ucfs=1&

Rainforest Boutique Hotel, Chiang Mai

Nice one, medium price range, good breakfast

http://www.chiangmairainforest.com/

<h3 class="r"></h3>

 

[DavidFL]

This temple

is Wat Sai Khao

It is on R1, about 13 kms south of the R118 / R1 junction.

I nicknamed it the big titted temple

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

something quite different to what you expect at a wat & even funny

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

& there are a lot of amazing statues & figures there at that wat.

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

Wat Sai Khao - amphur Phan

Check it out sometime guys.

 

[Winghunter]

Thanks David. Need to put it on my list for the next trip

By the way, what software do you use to work on the pictures ?

 

[Winghunter]

Before I will post the last part of my trip report, I would like to give you some recommondations regarding hotels and resorts where we have been.

Ben`s Guesthouse, Chiang Rai</strong>

http://www.benguesthousechiangrai.com/

Anytime again. Great bargin for the money ! Rooms are sinmple and clean. Stuff is very helpfull. Nice to sit outside in the evening hours but be aware of the Mosquitos After a few Hong Thongs, they will not bother you any longer

Outddor pool !

Bens Guesthouse is a bit outside of the center. After a long day in the saddle we always enjoyed a walk into the city center. Back to the hotel we hired a Tuk Tuk. For a 100 Baht it was ok.

Don`t take breakfast in the guesthouse, better have a 100 mtr. walk. There is a very nice little restaurant where you can have an exellent breakfast.

Rainforest Boutique Hotel, Chiang Mai

http://www.chiangmairainforest.com/

Very nice one. Good and cozy rooms. Great breakfast. Anytime again

Outdoor pool !

Suan Darn Porn Resort, Mae Sot

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/suan-darb-porn-resort.de.html

Nice little resort in Mae Sot. Clean bungalows. A bit outside of the city center.

Aparthotel Ma Chic and Cozy, Lampang

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/ma-chic-amp-cozy.de.html

Exellent hotel for a cheap overnight. Rooms are very nice and cozy. Just great. Anytime again !

Across the street is a nice restaurant with great food.

 

[DavidFL]

Winghunter wrote:

Thanks David. Need to put it on my list for the next trip

By the way, what software do you use to work on the pictures ?

I'm using ACDSee Ultimate 9. It is real easy to process photos + batch process / resize for GTR. Dead simple, even for a dinosaur like me. Good for copyright too.

 

[Winghunter]

Thanks David. Will try it

You picked out the nicest picture - lol

 

[Winghunter]

Here it goes. the last part of the trip report

Random pictures

My son David. He made an exellent job on his bike

My friend Doc

Vape on

Fun in the evening hours

Markets

Bycicle dealer

Food court at the Chiang Rai night market

In January next year, I will be back in this beautiful region

la gòn kráb