Dear all
Here's the brief summary of my recent ride to north and some pics of the trip.
15 May 08 (Day 1)
Ride from home to Hatyai and board an ordinary train together with bikes from Hatyai Junction (railway station) to Nakhon Pathom at noon.
16 May 09 (Day 2)
Arrived @ Nakthon Pathom in the morning approx 8.30 am and did some sight seeing around the town. Rode to Kanchanaburi after lunch and visited the Bridge of River Kwai. Stayed overnight in Kanchanaburi before riding to Tak next morning.
17 May 08 (Day 3)
Checked out of Kanchanaburi after late breakfast and head towards Tak.
Arrived in Tak late afternoon and stayed overnight.
18 & 19 May 08 (Day 4 & 5)
Rode towards CNX after strolling the local market in Tak. Arrived in CNX late noon and was amazed by the huge expressway leading towards city of CNX. Met a canadian RTW rider on Kawa KLR650 in city of CNX and helps us to get to the TopNorth Guesthouse.
Stayed in CNX for 2 nights before departing for the MHS loop.
20 May 08 ( Day 6)
Checked out of CNX and rode towards Doi Inthannon national park and took pics upon reaching the peak. Descended the hill and rode towards Hot and the proceed to Mae Sariang for overnight.
21 May 08 (Day 7)
Ride out of Mae Sariang after breakfast and through the hills and twisties beofre arrive @ Mae Hong Son. Stayed overnight at the Piya Guesthouse near the lake. have my Thai massage for the 1st time in Thailand despite more than 12 trips to various parts of Southern Thailand.
22 May 08 (Day 8)
Ride out of MHS after having breakfast at the local market....best pork porridge I ever had....as I don't not take porridge for breakfast.
Missed my way to the Long Neck village in MHS but continue to ride towards Pai. More hills and twisties as ever but scenery was great.
Arrived in Pai at afternoon and stayed overnight at Baan Pai Village Guesthouse.......best accomodation ever despite no air-condition and plenty of mosquito at the lobby area. Friendy staff and cheap rates...300 baht. Nothing much in Pai as it seems to be a haven for backpackers and food there is not great.
23 May 08 (Day 9)
Rode out of Pai after breakfast and head towards Mae Salong. Long ride but enjoyable. Made few stop overs for petrol and refreshment.
Riding up towards Mae Salong was great. Fantastic scenery again with many tea plantations and cool climate. Stayed overnight at Mae Salong Villa...great views again from the hotel room and dinner was good.
24 May 08 (Day 10)
Rode up to the temple at the hill top after breakfast and took some pics.
Visited the local market and checked out of Mae Salong thereafter. Ride towards Mae Sai with stopovers for lunch and fuel.
Arrived in Mae Sai late afternoon and chekced in to the Piyaporn Hotel which was located along the main road to the border and is within walking distance. Room rates is reasonable considering with buffet breakfast for 2 @ 800 baht and room is excellent.
25 May 08 (Day 11)
Visited Taichilek, border town of Burma and did some sight seeing on a saengthaw @ 150 baht for 3 persons. At least be able to see the Long Neck tribes @ the cultural centre for tourist located next to the golf course in Taichilek. Plenty of Chinese stuff & electronic gadgets for sale at the bazaar near the border gate of Taichilek.......
Stayed for 2 nights in Mae Sai before departing for Golden Triangle.
26 May 08 (Day 12)
Rode out of Mae Sai late in the morning and headed towards Sop Ruak. Visited the Opium Museum in GT (as the govt opium musuem was closed as it's a Monday). Took some pics at the "GT arch" and bought some stuff at the museum boutique before heading towards Chiang Saen via the Mekong river bed. The ride along the Mekong river side was enjoyable as there are some great spots with fantastic scenery along the way to Chiang Kong.
Stop at Chiang Kong for late lunch and bike couldn't start due to electrical faults....ignition key lock faulty resulting no supplyof electricity to the front. Managed to repair the fault with the assistance of a local wireman and rode towards Chiang Rai for overnight.
Arrived in Chiang Rai late evening as it was a long ride from Chiang Kong...maybe the delay in Chiang Kong affects us. Stayed overnight @ WangCome Hotel and the hotel is good for the rate of 800 baht with buffet breakfast........waffles great.
Visited the night market and took dinner at the bazaar’s foodcourt. Food was great and it provides a cultural show at the stage for tourist to enjoy.
27 May 08 (Day 13)
Ride out of Chiang Rai after breakfast and head towards Sukhothai and the ride was a long one indeed. We past an area where it was hilly and met 2 working elephants in the middle of the road somewhere before reaching Tachai( near Sukhothai) for a coffee break.....the young lady of the coffee stall along the main road was indeed a fine lady with pleasant personality.
Reached Sukhonthai late evening and stayed overnight before heading further south.
28 May 08 (Day 14)
Rode out of Sukhonthai towards Hua Hin and it was another day for a long ride.
Unable to reach Hua Hin as earlier intended as the front headlights of my bike is without main lights and the weather was bad as we reached Pretburi late in evening. It was raining heavily and we decided to stay overnight in Pretburi before heading to Hua Hin next morning to repair the front lights of my bike.
29 May 09 (Day 15)
Ride out early morning after breakfast at the hotel and reached Hua Hin after a short ride.
I was amazed by the seafront resorts in Hua Hin and definitely it is a par with international standard. Riding toward the town of Hua Hin was truly enjoyable indeeed . It have 8 golf courses which I came to know after doing some research fro the brochures and the green fees is reasonably cheap when one opts for the golf package with accomodation. Took my bike for repair at the local bike shop, CP Bikes and the guys there are friendly and helpful.
Didn't have the time to explore the place except for lunch as I was at the bikeshop while my riding buddy & wife went exploring the town.
Will definitely make a trip to Hua Hin by this year end if possible as the guesthouse has good rooms and food are aplenty here....especially seafood I guess.
Ride out of Hua Hin after late lunch and headed for Chumphon for overnight.
30 May 08 (Day 16)
Stayed at the Suriwong Hotel in Chumphon and room is cheap @ 450 baht. Ride towards Hatyai early morning again it was quite a long boring ride.........heavy traffic without much scenery.
Reached Hatyai in the late afternoon and stay overnight before departing for home next morning.
31 May 08 ( Day 17)
Departed Hatyai after breakfast and reached home safely at late noon.
Note: I will updated the links for the photo albums later and keep posted.
