A traveller's reflection: Day 16: Year-end Trip: Umphang

"Seeing a miracle will inspire you, but knowing you are a miracle will change you..." – Deborah Brodie

(Riding on the 1219 curves)

Day 16: Friday, 30 December 2022
Route: Umphang to Kamphaeng Phet
Distance: 334 km
Hotel: Tonnam Resort, Kamphaeng Phet

Breakfast was provided by the guesthouse but we had ours in the room.

(A morning offering and prayer near the Police Station)

(Affordable chalets in Umphang)

Before we drove out of Umphang, we revisited Wiriya Village about 500m from our lodging. This was where we spent a night in September 2016 when our Merc E-300 had two blown out front tyres when we tried some off-roading. Thanks to the kindness of an Umphang mechanic and friends who took the trouble to assist us to purchase a pair of tyres from Mae Sot and delivered them to Umphang.

(We stayed in this homestay in 2016)

(Driving out of Umphang)

(Retracing the same route we came)

(Passing through Black Fern Ancient Forest)

We drove on the same twisty route back to Mae Sot. We made a brief stop at the Phop Phra Rest Area and another stop at Tararak waterfalls. Thararak Waterfall, also known as Pha Chan Waterfall, is located in the area of Namtok Pha Charoen National Park, Mae Sot District, Tak Province. It is a natural waterfall that flows from a cliff 30 meters high and has a medium-sized reservoir to support water from the waterfall. The reservoir area has shady gardens and wooden bridges. It is a great place to relax for locals and foreign tourists.

(The waterfalls viewed from the reservoir)

(The way to the source of Tararak Waterfalls)

(The Golden Pagoda on top of the waterfalls)

(Golden chedi enshrined in Burmese architecture)

(The reservoir viewed from the top)

(Stunning view from the Chedi area)

(The stream on top of Tararak waterfalls)

In Mae Sot we had lunch at Upgrade Coffee & Service located near Masjid Nurun Isalam. As it was a Friday, the mosque was full with jemaah for Solat Jumaat. We drove out of Mae Sot about 1.15 pm via Route 12 to Tak then drove on Phahonyothin Road to Kamphaeng Phet.

(Upgrade Coffee & Service Halal eatery)

(Combination of Asian and Western dishes)

(Driving out of Mae Sot towards Tak)

(Driving on Route 12)

We reached Kamphaeng Pet quite early but we decided to visit the heritage sites tomorrow before we leave for Kanchanaburi. Kamphaeng Phet was an ancient outpost town during the Sukhothai period, as evidenced by the city walls and fortifications that remain today. Before the creation of the city, legends says that there were two cities present in the location; Chakangrao on the east bank of the Ping River and Nakhon Chum on the west bank of the Ping River.

(Kamphaeng Phet City wall and fortification)

(Entering the historical town of Kamphaeng Phet)

(The clock tower in the middle of town)

We visited Masjid Jannat-ul-Mohmeneem about 5 km from Kamphaeng Phet town centre but it was closed. We drove around but could not locate any halal restaurant in town but we had already cooked our meals.

(A beautiful Masjid Jannat-ul-Mohmeneem)

(The only mosque in Kamphaeng Phet)

Checked in Tonnam Resort by the River Ping at B450/night. This is our second time staying at Tonnam Resort. Our last visit here was in 2017 during our solo biking Q6 4-Nation Ride with our KTM.