The saying is that there are 1,864 curves between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Although I didn't keep track, my body is telling me that it's true. It's approximately a 300 mile loop through forested mountains from my house at Mae Jo through Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, and back home. Although I passed through the town of Pai, I didn't linger long. Pai isn't what it used to be, but I found to Mae Hong Son to be a great place to hang out and rest for a day. It is also said that northern Thailand is motorcycle heaven. This four day trip was about the ride, not the destinations. Otherwise I would have just flown there.
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| I took a diversion through the forest to a "Long Neck" village. I passed through ten wet crossings like this in one day. |
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| Getting close to the village. |
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The village is mainly about stalls for you buy stuff, much of which comes from China.
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While stopping for coffee (it's northern Thailand, after all) I met these guys.
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No, not army. Look closely at the shoulder patch and you'll see that they are a Search and Rescue team. They came from Kanchanaburi to Mae Hong Son for rescue training.
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| Met up with them again that evening at Wat Chang Klong. |
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| Coffee with a strip of cinnamon bark and a view. Yer not at Starbucks, that's for sure. |
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| Wat Chang Klong, Mae Hong Son |
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| Streets of Mae Hong Son in the early AM hours. |
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| Saturday morning cartoons in your underwear, and a jacket, on a chilly morning. |
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| It's easy to make friends with the locals if you understand the rules. Be polite, smile, and buy something. This mother and son team operate a very nice little restaurant in Mae Hong Son. Mom makes an excellent kai giew (Thai omelette). And coffee, of course. |
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| Pine forest at one of the higher elevations. |
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| What, no more curves? I must be leaving the mountains and getting close to Chiang Mai. |
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| And while in Mae Hong Son, don't even think of making illegal executions. |
