Had a steady ride to Mae Sai today.

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I didn’t go straight up north on route 1, instead I took a more scenic route going north east on the 1232 the on to CHR 4013. I stopped along side the River Kok for a while.

IMG_0806 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0808 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0809 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

From there I crossed the River Kok and went on to the CHR 4050. This took me on to the 1209. Once I got on to the 1098 I came across a really nice Temple area, Wat Muen Budda Mettakhunaram
Coords from the Montana N20.16547 E99.99552. There was a massive Budda sat on top of a large mound.

IMG_0812 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0813 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0814 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0816 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0819 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Where the 1098 meets up with the 1016 I stopped for my breakfast in Ban Nong Khrok, had a really nice noodle soup, noodles and offal in a soup mix, sounds disgusting but it tasted good.

IMG_0821 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0820 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Then it was on to the CHR 4001 heading in a northerly direction still I picked up the CHR 1009/1290 straight in to Mae Sai

All in all not a bad route and it was a lot better than sitting on a main road.

Once in Mae Sai it was coffee time and a chance to look for some accommodation. Looked on the usual sites and decided on Kong Kam House, from the rideasia site, coords from the Montana N20.44442 E99.88199, a nice room for 500 Bht

IMG_0823 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0824 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0825 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

General Pics of Mae Sai

IMG_0826 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking at the border with Myanmar

IMG_0828 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0832 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The Border Gate

IMG_0833 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking back from the border gate

IMG_0836 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0835 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0838 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Just had to...it was waving at me

Wayne

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Went out for a wander and came across Wat Phra That Doi Wao at the top of a lot of steps. It was worth going to the top and having a look. There is a good view once you get up there, so its well worth the climb. There is a road if you are on a bike or in a vehicle.

IMG_0839 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The steps up

IMG_0840 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking back down

IMG_0843 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0842 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0845 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0847 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0848 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0853 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
I don't know what the scorpion has to do with the Temple

IMG_0855 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Myanmar

IMG_0856 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Thailand (you can see the border crossing point with the blueish roof on the left)

IMG_0854 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Wayne

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Attachment 14373

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Just doing some catch up reading after a few mad days at work
Merry Christmas to you Wayne & once again, thanks for taking us along for the ride & safe travels to you

__________________
My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

I have had a really good day today and seen some really great sights.

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I didn’t go straight down the 1290 instead I took a lot of back roads and followed the Ruak River keeping it on my left, this was one a little road which ran between the CHR 1041 and the 1290.

IMG_0859 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0862 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0864 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0865 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Eventually I had to take the 1290 and I passed through a village called Ban Wang Lao, just through the village I climbed a hill to look at the view and take some photos

IMG_0867 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0868 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Ban Wang Lao in the distance

IMG_0869 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0870 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0871 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0875 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The first view of the mighty Mekong River

Then it was on to the Golden Triangle area on the 1290, me and the trusty CRF made it after covering 2000km what a journey it been so far and the journey is still only half way through.

IMG_0878 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Where the Ruak River meets the Mekong River

IMG_0883 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0885 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The Golden Triangle

IMG_0886 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Laos

IMG_0887 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0893 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Myanmar on left and Laos on right

IMG_0894 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0897 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

to be continued due to not being able to put all pics on one reply

Wayne

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Back on the 1290 all the way to Chiang Saen where I stopped and had some breakfast, a nice American Breakfast (as they called it), not a bad spread for a couple of quid.

IMG_0898 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Once out of Chiang Saen I ended up on the 1129 for awhile before going on to the CHR 4007 following the edge of the Mighty Mekong River as close as I could over my left shoulder

Came across this Wat/Temple on a hill, couldn't find a name, but what a view from the top

IMG_0905 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0908 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0910 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0914 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0917 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0918 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0919 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0922 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0932 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0939 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Getting the boots wet in the Mekong River

I stayed on the CHR 4007 till I got back to the 1129 and visited a Coffee House/ Restautant called The View, coords N20.34001 E100.3741,
and yes it was a great view. So I sat and chilled with a small Singar looking across the Mekong River looking into Laos.

IMG_0948 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0944 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0942 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0943 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
A with a view of Laos

Once I had left there it was a 9km run into Chiang Khong

IMG_0927 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0928 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I had already done my research on places to stay and opted for the Nam Khong Riverside Hotel, from the Rideasia site, a room with a great view, sat on my balcony over looking the Mekong and looking into Houayxay in Laos and I think I can see the old French Fort that I want to visit when I get over there.

IMG_0949 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0952 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0956 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The view from my balcony for Christmas Day

Chilling here now for the rest of today and Christmas Day, moving on on Boxing Day to go to the Border Crossing for Laos. Then I will see if my paperwork works!?

Wayne

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Sat relaxing, looking across the river into Laos. Just compiled a little video of some views along the Mekong River on my way to Chiang Khong

https://flic.kr/p/quoyUj

Wayne

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Had a great Christmas Day. I spent it at The Hub Pub, the Pub is owned and run by a guy from Liverpool called Alan and his wife May, as well as the pub they also have a hostel next door to the pub. It was a day when total strangers, including some locals just had a good time eating and drinking
I was made to feel welcome, the hospitality of Alan and May was great
If you are in the area I would recommend popping in for food, drink, or a good old cheap bed for the night

IMG_0976 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0975 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0977 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Alan

IMG_0978 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
May

IMG_0979 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0983 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0981 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0988 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Coords

Wayne

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Mate. How amazing was this? When I was over in 2013, I sat on the verandah(I think in the motel next to yours!) about 1 am with a Sang Som in hand, looking over the Mekong at the lights of the town across the water.
It was THAT moment that I vowed I would be back, for longer, and get over the border into Laos.
I am just over a month away! Excitement grows. I am going to apologise to YOU and everyone else now. You travelled many of the roads I was looking at and areas I have not seen yet.
My mission will be to get photos different to yours! But you have pointed out some amazing places that I am now pencilling in.

I think my RR will have to be called "NO! I am not following Lone Rider!"

CHAOS!

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IN TIMES OF TRIAL AND ADVERSITY... LOOK HARD, LEAN HARDER, AND OPEN THE THROTTLE WIDE.
"WHEN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE ARRIVES, WILL YOU BE READY? WILL YOU REALLY???"

Mate.

Was this from the shop that has all the ice cream cakes in a fridge out front and a heap of wierd dwarf statues in the corner?
My bro and I had an afternoon coffee there... so much cakey decadence!

__________________
IN TIMES OF TRIAL AND ADVERSITY... LOOK HARD, LEAN HARDER, AND OPEN THE THROTTLE WIDE.
"WHEN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE ARRIVES, WILL YOU BE READY? WILL YOU REALLY???"

Yes mate I think it was, the cake was great after loads of rice and noodle haha

Wayne



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