On the motorbike from Nan to Chiang Mai
Sunrise along route 101 in Nan province, North Thailand |
Reposting from 2017. With a flat distance off 366 km and a max. altitude of 633 meter I did it again. I did leave very early in the morning. Actually so early that it was too early for breakfast at Hot Bread (along the way leaving Nan to Phrae). I left Nan together with a friend but he decided that he would take the scenic route back again to Loei while I decided to take the main route back to Khon Kaen. So we left Nan in southern direction to Phrae via route 101 but at Wang Sia we split up and I continued along route 101 in direction of Phrae. The route is a highway going thru beautiful mountains. It was cool, well actually almost cold & chilly. And it was a bit dark for my sun-visor. But what the heck. Although not much traffic, the Thai driving style still irritates me on the bike. You are still considered a minor user of the road and totally ignored by bigger users of the road. For more motorbike trip reports in Thailand see MOTORBIKE TRIP REPORTS
Hot Bread in Nan, Thailand |
So somewhere between Huai Rong and Phai Thon I took a left turn to route 1216 which changes into route 1217 at a Y-section (take right turn). The route is good and goes thru small villages and then becomes a bit smaller and less good and goes into the mountains. While being alone and in the middle of nowhere that is where I did get a bit worried. There were a few road constructions at landslides. And then in the distance I could see big trucks working on the road. Oops would this be the end? Luckily no! Just about 10 km of gravel and put-holes that slowed me down a lot. Some friendly Thai road workers explained to me that the road would be fine and that at the T-section I should take a right turn to route 1134.
And indeed it all did work out fine. Just before Nam Cham there is a nice Coffee Shop on your right hand side. Only drinks, not food. I still not get that! I was bloody hungry. At Mae Lai I did enter route 101 again, just before Phrae. While passing Phrae I stopped at the PTT gasoline station for refreshment and rest. Those PTT gasoline stations with an Amazon Coffee shop and an 7/11 supermarket are popping up everywhere!
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Temple in Chiang Mai |