Chiang Mai > Tambon Mae Pang (96km)

DSCF2003

Last step towards Laos. In few days I will be cycling across the Mekong. I repeat myself I know, but I’m still waiting for these famous hills situated on the north of Thailand where I’m now. Effectively, today was definitely not flat but that’s because I chose purposely a little road that goes through the hills (see the map). I could have been straight to the north an avoid that but it would not be interesting. I don’t like when it too easy ;-)

Continue reading

Chiang Mai, Royal Park Rajapruek

DSCF1961

Today we visited the Royal Park Rajapruek. It has several different areas like a garden, a “district” with different cultures represented by their building construction (like India, Japan, Cambodia, Bhutan, and others). This one was my favourite and represents Bhutan. It has very nice style and colours. Of course, the main attraction is the Royal temple (I don’t know if I can call it like this). Anyway, let’s start the visit :-)

Continue reading

Lao Yao > Chiang Mai (73km)

DSCF1922

Today we finally reached Chiang Mai after 21 days cycling. We have done 51 km per day in average and stopped 3 days on the way. For this last day, we joined the Ping river again and followed it until the entrance of the city. The landscape did not change very much today. In fact, we avoid one more time the big roads which leads to the centre. Ours did the same but the road was nearly trafficless.

Continue reading

Wat San Wilai > Lao Yao (55km)

DSCF1784

Mmmh, delicious day today :-)  The last night at the temple was pretty quiet. After breakfast we cycled few kilometres before we stopped to visit a temple. There was another gigantic statue of one of the three famous monk from that province. After that, we kept on cycling until we reached a very nice coffee shop. We stopped there maybe 3 or 4 hours :-) Later this afternoon we travelled a bit further expecting to find a temple I’ve spotted on Maps but that time it did not work. The people from the place where we ate told us that temple doesn’t accept people to stay overnight. We had to find another place then and it was not easy…

Continue reading

Ban Na Pong-Pak Kong > Wat San Wilai (61km)

DSCF1705

Today is THE day! The windy, hilly road is in front of us. All we have to do is smash it! Actually it was easier than I imagined. During the climb we could even enjoyed some downhill. The steepness of the road was gentle and the traffic, a part few trucks, was mainly quiet. After two and a half hours (including break time), we reached the summit and visited… a temple, of course. Monks (and religions in general) have good taste. They always build temples on hills, close to the water or anywhere we can see them.

Continue reading

Ban Na Pong-Pak Kong, day off

DSCF1701

Yesterday evening we decided to have a day off today. I thought this spot was going to be quiet. Actually it was! until 4am… when the bloody roosters shout every 10 seconds. There is dozen of them in the area so they compete against each other. “I’m the best”. “No, I’m the one!”. Rah, Shut up! I wish I had the slingshot from last time with me. The worse is, as soon as the sun appears (when I cannot really sleep anymore), they stop suddenly, rah! Then, soon after the chicken shut up, a group of people arrived here and sat around the table for breakfast I imagine. They work in the courtyard at the back. If I knew that, I would have hesitated sleeping here… Why is that so hard to find a peaceful place? Anyway, we spent the day doing nothing particular. I tried to do a bit my blog, fixing some of my clothes, the daily stuff though :-) Tomorrow we are going to climb a huuuge mountain! We must be ready :-)

Continue reading