2016 Q5 4NR Day 15 : Luang Namtha - Golden Triangle - Mae Sai

“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect...” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Cool misty morning in Luang Namtha)

Day 15: Sunday, 11 Dec 2016
Route: Luang Namtha - Golden Triangle - Mae Sai
Distance: 271 km
Hotel: Yunnan Hotel

We started riding on Highway 3 in the mist towards the border by 9.00 am and reached the Laos/Thailand border around noon. Afzal and wife, another biking couple who stayed in the resort were crossing the border at the same time.

The border clearance was smooth. At the Laos Huey Xai border we had our passports stamped and paid Baht200/vehicle and Baht100 for Custom clearance. Then we were escorted on the 4th Friendship Bridge to the Thailand border. At the Thailand Chiang Kong border we paid Baht200/vehicle before passport stamping.

We submitted TM 2, 3 and 4 forms, a photocopy of our passports and vehicle grant. At the Custom counter we submitted a photocopy of the passport of vehicle owner, vehicle grant and Insurance and in return received the custom declaration form. All fees paid were without official receipts.

In Chiang Kong we went to the Muslim stall but it was not there anymore. We rode on and detoured to visit the Golden Triangle. There is a major roadworks on Route 1290 along the hilly road so everyone rode cautiously. We had some photo shots at the Golden Triangle and bought t-shirts for souvenirs. By 5:30 pm we reached Mae Sai and checked in Yunnan Hotel for Baht580/night.

At night we rode to the Thailand/Myanmar border and had dinner at one of the Muslim stalls at the night market. Later we visited the Northernmost Point for some pictures.

(Ready to start the journey to Laos/Thailand border)

(Last refueling in Laos)

(Riding in the mist with little visibility)

(The mist is clearing up)

(Passing many small hill villages)

(Back-packers waiting for transport)

(Beware of undulating road surface)

(Riding on the Friendship Bridge escorted)

(Passing through the town of Chiang Khong)

(The road from Chiang Khong is under major repair)

(Arriving at the Big Buddha in the Golden Triangle)

(Coffee and biscuits to fill empty tummies)

(The borders of three nations)

(Two rivers separating the three borders)

(The new Golden Triangle structure)

(The old Golden Triangle archway)

(The northernmost point of Thailand in Mae Sai)

     2016 Q5 4NR Day 16 : Mae Sai - Chiang Rai - Pai👉

👈2016 Q5 4NR Day 14 : Luang Prabhang - Boten – Luang Namtha

2016 Q5 4NR Day 16 : Mae Sai - Chiang Rai - Pai

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results…” - Willie Nelson

(Overloaded vehicles on road)

Day 16: Monday, 12 Dec 2016
Route: Mae Sai - Chiang Rai - Pai
Distance: 387 km
Hotel: Baan Aew Pai

Breakfast was self-serviced. We toasted bread and cooked our own eggs. Coffee was free-flowing all day.

We started riding out of Mae Sai on Route 1 towards Chiang Rai to look for a tyre shop. It was cool in the morning and at quite a distance we had to ride carefully as the mist was so thick and visibility was at its minimal.

In Chiang Rai we met a few Thailand bikers who assisted us to locate a tyre shop. We took a short rest while waiting for tyre change for one motorbike. At the tyre shop the gang had the opportunity to purchase gloves and bike accessories.

We rode on Route 1089 towards Pai then on Route 107 passing Fang and through several National Parks by-passing the town of Chiang Mai. We rode carefully on the twisted road of 762 corners to Pai and made a coffee stop at 32 Coffee Hill Resort.

We arrived in Pai around 6:00 pm and checked in Baan Aew Pai Resort for Baht700/per night. We had an early dinner at Nasi Ayam Muslim Restaurant. At night we strolled the night market along the Walking Street and bought some souvenirs.

We had an hour of strong foot massage before we retired for the night.

(A Muslim owned hotel)

(All green in the morning)

(A cool misty ride out of Mae Sai)

(Looking for tyre shop in Chiang Rai)

(The routing to Pai bypassing Chiang Mai)

(Passing through many National Parks)

(Beautiful scenic landscape)

(The highway to Pai)

(Coffee break at Coffee 32 Hill Resort)

(A unique witchy yellow milestone)

(Panoramic view from the top of the mountain)

        2016 Q5 4NR Day 17 : Pai - Mae Hong Son👉

👈2016 Q5 4NR Day 15 : Luang Namtha - Golden

2016 Q5 4NR Day 17 : Pai - Mae Hong Son

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose...” - Lyndon B Johnson

(An antique pick-up on the Thousand Corners road)

Day 17: Tuesday, 13 Dec 2016
Route: Pai - Mae Hong Son
Distance: 107 km
Hotel: Rom Tai guesthouse

We started riding on Route 1095 towards Mae Hong Son after refuelling. We made a few stops at the Pang Mapha highest mountain range scenic viewpoints. After completing the 1864 curves of the thousand corners the gang had our victory photo shots at the milestone and the iconic welcoming archway. Mae Hong Son's nickname is ‘the city of three mists’ as it is surrounded by the high mountain ranges of the Shan Hills and is the most mountainous province in Thailand.

We rode direct for lunch at the Muslim Restaurant next to the Masjid Nuruth Taqwa. We pre-ordered fried rice, fried chicken and tom yam for tonight’s dinner. At the restaurant we met with many cyclists and bikers from Malaysia.

We checked in Rom Tai Guesthouse for Baht700/night. After freshened up and prayers we decided to visit the Karen Long Neck Village not very far from town. We had to cross many slippery shallow rivers before reaching the Karen village. The last time we visited another location of the Karen Long Neck Village was by a 20-minute ride on boat.

After dinner we walked through the night market situated along the lake where we bought some t-shirts. We met a few of fellow bikers from Malaysia who will be riding up north and crossing the border to Laos from Chiang Kong.

(Baan Aew Pai Resort)

(The three lady bikers)

(A group photo of the Truecolour Bikerz gang)

(Waiting in line to refuel)

(The highest scenic point of the mountain range)

(Coffee shop and resting areas)

(Another scenic spot with a new coffee shop)

(A beautiful panoramic view of the mountains and valleys)

(1,864 twists and turns of the Thousand Corners)

(A photo opportunity at the milestone)

(The iconic victory arch of Mae Hong Son)

(The KTM made it again, our 5th)

(Crossing small rivers to the Long Neck Village)

(A Karen Long Neck Village)

(A long neck girl weaving shawls)

(Souvenirs and handicrafts at the Karen Village)

(Our lodging next to the MHS lake)

           2016 Q5 4NR Day 18 : Mae Hong Son - Mae Sariang - ...👉

👈2016 Q5 4NR Day 16 : Mae Sai - Chiang Rai - Pai