2013 KQ2: 03 Kanchanaburi - Chiang Mai

"Life is about breaking our personal limits and outgrowing ourselves to live our best lives..."

KEMBARA QURBAN 2

DAY 03: 13 OCT 2013 - SUNDAY

KANCHANABURI - TAK – CHIANG MAI

DISTANCE: 884 KM

Breakfast was at 0800hrs. After a short briefing and reciting of prayers we rode to the Bridge over the River Kwai to do the customary tourist bit, that is to have some photo shots of the famous bridge.

(All geared up for the long trip...)

(Souvenir t-shirts of Kanchanaburi)

(Relaxing while waiting for others to pack)

(A normal morning short briefing and prayers)

Kanchanaburi is located where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers converge into the Mae Klong river. The town spans the northern banks of the river and is a popular spot for travelers. Its location at the edge of a mountain range keeping it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand.

(The infamous bridge)

(De Javu! The last visit was in 2011) 

(A photo shot with the legendary Vulcan)

(Capturing the moment with Juma, the lady biker)

(Where are the rest of the gang?)

(Still energetic and raring to ride...)

In 1942 Kanchanaburi was under Japanese control. It was here that Asian forced laborers and Allied POWs built the infamous Burma Railway and constructed a bridge, an event immortalized in the film “Bridge on the River Kwai”.

(A rest area, with free wifi) 

(Onward route to Tak via Chai Nat)

(Time to refuel and a short rest)

(Favorite lunch combo, Chili Tuna and bread)

Today the weather was good for riding but we had to be very wary of long double or triple-train lorries. When we rode further north on Highway 340 to Chai Nat then Highway 1 towards Tak the weather was foggy and the vision became hazy most probably caused by open burning. The road condition was mostly good except for a few stretches of undulating road surface and pot holes here and there. The road condition varies as we go.

(Riding towards Tak town)

(Riding with care along long-train lorries)

We reached Tak quite early in the afternoon. Tak is a town in the lower northern Thailand. In the past, Mon, the ethnic group from Myanmar lived here. The evidence of Mon arts still remain. Tak is about 426 km from Bangkok. Its geographical features are mountains and forests. This province has many national parks with pristine forest and reputedly beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout Tak.

(Mus and Mun, passing Sugar Cane plantation)

(Tuan Shawal, the Chief De Mission)

(Shamsuri aka Chon, the wing Man)

(Zali, another Wing Man)

(Kathi, Mr Wonderful)

(Zaini aka Aji Long)

After refueling and a good rest in Tak we decided to continue our journey on Highway 1 then Highway 11 to Chiang Mai. The road to Chiang Mai was good with mountainous sweeping corners and traffic was quite heavy during this time of the day. It was a long tiring journey but we will save a day of traveling and have ample time to service and tune our bikes before the long journey to Laos and China border.

(Tuan Syed on his Yamaha Tenere)

(Juma, the lady Sports-biker)

(Taufik, the Sweeper)

(Fadzil with his BMW GS)

(Shanaz, with recent  back injury)

(Hj Din and Yati on their BWM GSA)

We did not stop to refuel but we reached Chiang Mai safely although our fuel tank was nearly dry. We parked our bikes and straight away went to a nearby Muslim restaurant for a hearty tom yam dinner.

(Riding the mountainous winding road)

(Long overload lorries on the same road)

We checked in Pornping Tower Hotel and had a good bath. Later we walked quite a distance along the night market looking for a Massage Parlor but they were full with tourists. Later at night we managed to get a 2-hour full body Thai massage for only B350 per person.

(Safely arrived at Pornping Hotel, Chiang Mai)

On the way back to the hotel we met with some of the gang having foot and shoulder massages at the open space next to the hotel, while watching life local cultural stage performances.

2013 Q2: 04 Chiang Mai, Thailand👉

👈2013 Q2: 02 Surat Thani - kanchanaburi, Thailand