While having coffee the other day, on the way to Ganesha Museum, the friendly lady recommended a visit Pha Chor (nearby) - a mini Grand Canyon.
Wanted to do some stretching yesterday but was so tired that I fell asleep. Stretched out my tired muscles for the day ahead in the morning. (Click here for simple stretching exercises) Feeling rejuvenated, I went for breakfast, changed hotel, collected my trolley from the temple, dropped off at the hotel and off I went to the cafe again. Had a special Latte with low fat milk (ok, I look obviously FAT. haha.)
This time, she recommended a temple with a beautiful setting on the way back to Chiang Mai... She drew me a map like before with Thai and English words. Very thankful for her help and recommendations. The first few pictures are for the turn to Pha Chor. Her cafe is just further up from the turn, approx 50m from ahead along the highway 108 towards Chiang Mai.
As you can see, the signboards are in Thai. I made an enquiry at the roadside stall, the helpful lady confirmed it is the correct turn and a very helpful and enthusiastic soldier told me to go slow and keep left for the many split roads along the way. Some of the split road have road signs in English. Made another inquiry at a junction further down and verified that I was on the correct path. Had lunch and rode slowly, enjoying the views of paddy fields.
A minibus overtook me. It was heaven sent. I picked-up pace and followed the minibus for where else could he be going along that road except to the only tourist destination. hiak hiak hiak.
Arriving at the gates to the Mae Wang National Park, made an inquiry with the guards, YES~!!! This is the place. Bought 1 ticket for myself and another for the motorcycle.
The green picture was phone camera error.... redmi 1....
The weather was perfect. Cloudy but no rain. My straw hat came in handy as a fan.
Pha Chor is good for all ages. Except that once you hit the canyon itself, with the stairs, the aged and super fatties have to backtrack. The rest can go through some narrow paths. Nothing very challenging for those without a medical condition but leave the nice clothes for another day.
There are 2 walking tracks along each other. 1 track is a little higher and the other is the river (little stream) bed itself. There is no water this time but it is a river bed... If it rains, I guess only the higher track is usable. It is a breeze to walk along the river bed compared with the higher track.
The clouds were threatening by the time I finished Pha Chor. Asked the ranger there and he said something along the lines of he hoped it will not rain. I asked if the next place is beautiful and he said - yes. Another gentleman (a tour guide or driver i guess) told me that Pha Daeng is accessible to motorcycles but not 4 wheelers. Off I went on the dirt track again. If it rained, I am in for a jolly good super slippery muddy time with rounded road tires... Met a guy with some mushrooms along the way and double checked directions again.
Arriving at he turn to Pha Daeng, noticed that the way to Doi Lo (near to Chom Thong where my hotel is) is different, made a mental note that I have to come back the same way. Went through the road block by the side gap for motorcycles. The panoramic view at the top is awesome. No chattering tourist too. I had the whole place to myself. hehe.
Next stop, Gyu Seu Ten. Not sure if that is the correct place. I rode my bike right pass the signboard... and did the final bit on foot and all fours @-@.
On the way towards Doi Lo, passed by a sign board with a picture of a pool of water, rode in and found too many tracks for my liking. Decided to let that one go. Went along my way again and came to a tar road. 2 ways, which way? Stopped a passing motorcyclist for directions to Chom Thong, he told me he is going the same way and ask me to follow him. woohoo~! I was going the wrong way...
He took me off the tar road and on to more dirt tracks. By that time, I am enjoying the dirt tracks quite a bit. Going deeper and deeper into the plantations, I realized he probably was using the mountains and sun as a directional guide and it made me a little worried because the sun is behind when I should be heading towards it...
We reached tar roads again, and the road condition gets better and better. That gave me a little more confidence. He slowed down upon reaching 108 and pointed to me that Chom Thong is the other way and I have to make a U-turn. Thanked him and I am on my way back again. Not far from where I turned off but not the shortcut I hoped for. Then again, it was way better than getting lost with an empty stomach. Thank you very much dear friend.
Occupied with what to eat for dinner, I stopped for petrol and rode straight back to the temple. Got some medicines from the pharmacies there, asked 3 people what happened to the very nice bah mee stall outside 7-11, no one has a clue except that I didn't see them for the past few days. Disappointed, I went to the night market area and saw those cats... I had forgotten about them... Time to get acquainted.
End of the day – A small automatic scooter is far better for traveling in Thailand than any other types of vehicles. Just make sure it has wide flat knobby tires for both on-road and off-road purposes. This is not the first time I felt this way. Next set of tires are going to be those flat ones. I got away this time round only because there was no mud.
Wanted to do some stretching yesterday but was so tired that I fell asleep. Stretched out my tired muscles for the day ahead in the morning. (Click here for simple stretching exercises) Feeling rejuvenated, I went for breakfast, changed hotel, collected my trolley from the temple, dropped off at the hotel and off I went to the cafe again. Had a special Latte with low fat milk (ok, I look obviously FAT. haha.)
This time, she recommended a temple with a beautiful setting on the way back to Chiang Mai... She drew me a map like before with Thai and English words. Very thankful for her help and recommendations. The first few pictures are for the turn to Pha Chor. Her cafe is just further up from the turn, approx 50m from ahead along the highway 108 towards Chiang Mai.
As you can see, the signboards are in Thai. I made an enquiry at the roadside stall, the helpful lady confirmed it is the correct turn and a very helpful and enthusiastic soldier told me to go slow and keep left for the many split roads along the way. Some of the split road have road signs in English. Made another inquiry at a junction further down and verified that I was on the correct path. Had lunch and rode slowly, enjoying the views of paddy fields.
A minibus overtook me. It was heaven sent. I picked-up pace and followed the minibus for where else could he be going along that road except to the only tourist destination. hiak hiak hiak.
Arriving at the gates to the Mae Wang National Park, made an inquiry with the guards, YES~!!! This is the place. Bought 1 ticket for myself and another for the motorcycle.
The green picture was phone camera error.... redmi 1....
The weather was perfect. Cloudy but no rain. My straw hat came in handy as a fan.
Pha Chor is good for all ages. Except that once you hit the canyon itself, with the stairs, the aged and super fatties have to backtrack. The rest can go through some narrow paths. Nothing very challenging for those without a medical condition but leave the nice clothes for another day.
There are 2 walking tracks along each other. 1 track is a little higher and the other is the river (little stream) bed itself. There is no water this time but it is a river bed... If it rains, I guess only the higher track is usable. It is a breeze to walk along the river bed compared with the higher track.
The clouds were threatening by the time I finished Pha Chor. Asked the ranger there and he said something along the lines of he hoped it will not rain. I asked if the next place is beautiful and he said - yes. Another gentleman (a tour guide or driver i guess) told me that Pha Daeng is accessible to motorcycles but not 4 wheelers. Off I went on the dirt track again. If it rained, I am in for a jolly good super slippery muddy time with rounded road tires... Met a guy with some mushrooms along the way and double checked directions again.
Arriving at he turn to Pha Daeng, noticed that the way to Doi Lo (near to Chom Thong where my hotel is) is different, made a mental note that I have to come back the same way. Went through the road block by the side gap for motorcycles. The panoramic view at the top is awesome. No chattering tourist too. I had the whole place to myself. hehe.
Next stop, Gyu Seu Ten. Not sure if that is the correct place. I rode my bike right pass the signboard... and did the final bit on foot and all fours @-@.
On the way towards Doi Lo, passed by a sign board with a picture of a pool of water, rode in and found too many tracks for my liking. Decided to let that one go. Went along my way again and came to a tar road. 2 ways, which way? Stopped a passing motorcyclist for directions to Chom Thong, he told me he is going the same way and ask me to follow him. woohoo~! I was going the wrong way...
He took me off the tar road and on to more dirt tracks. By that time, I am enjoying the dirt tracks quite a bit. Going deeper and deeper into the plantations, I realized he probably was using the mountains and sun as a directional guide and it made me a little worried because the sun is behind when I should be heading towards it...
We reached tar roads again, and the road condition gets better and better. That gave me a little more confidence. He slowed down upon reaching 108 and pointed to me that Chom Thong is the other way and I have to make a U-turn. Thanked him and I am on my way back again. Not far from where I turned off but not the shortcut I hoped for. Then again, it was way better than getting lost with an empty stomach. Thank you very much dear friend.
Occupied with what to eat for dinner, I stopped for petrol and rode straight back to the temple. Got some medicines from the pharmacies there, asked 3 people what happened to the very nice bah mee stall outside 7-11, no one has a clue except that I didn't see them for the past few days. Disappointed, I went to the night market area and saw those cats... I had forgotten about them... Time to get acquainted.
End of the day – A small automatic scooter is far better for traveling in Thailand than any other types of vehicles. Just make sure it has wide flat knobby tires for both on-road and off-road purposes. This is not the first time I felt this way. Next set of tires are going to be those flat ones. I got away this time round only because there was no mud.