Lookout point on the way to Mae Hon Son
I developed a deep love for Asia over the years. My last trip to Thailand was not long enough to explore this remarkable country. Thailand was never high up on my list of countries to visit, but then I did and I changed my mind. Thailand has a lot to offer and is a country that deserves the time taken to explore, sample and enjoy. Susie, a special lifelong friend and Ride Live Explore site administrator, wanted to experience, after reading my blog, some of north Thailand for herself. So, we planned in another trip, to cover Christmas and the New Year.
I flew out to Bangkok on the 3rd of December. I went immediately to the coast and a beach… chill time. Then, 11th December and back up to Bangkok to meet up with Susie who was flying in from Amsterdam. Susie was staying for three and a half weeks so we made up a nice little tour, to take in the highlights of Bangkok and North Thailand.
Susie and me
First day was a relax day exploring the old city and Khao San road…. Susie’s first experience of the wild Bangkok nightlife scene.
The infamous Khao San Road Bangkok
The next day was the hop on hop off river boat. This is a fast catamaran that runs up and down the mighty Chao Phraya River, that divides Bangkok into two halves, rather like the river Danube in Budapest, where Susie was born and spent her childhood and most of her teen years. Now of course the river Danube was much bigger, flowed much faster and was much nicer than the Chao Phraya. This was a constant litany that I heard the whole time on the river so of course I had to agree.
The mighty Chao Phraya River
We also got to visit some of the sights, like the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun (The Temple of the Dawn) and Wat Pho, The Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun
Susie and the gong Wat Arun
Reclining Buddha Wat Pho
Wat Pho
Wat Arun in the distance
Royal Palace
Royal Palace and the Emerald Temple
Day 3 and it was off to the Mae Klong Railway Market, situated in Samut Songkhram, southwest of Bangkok. This is a traditional market selling fruit, vegetables and fish. It is held along the railway tracks on a small street running through the town. A few times a day the train runs along the racks, and everything is moved to let it pass. A sight to behold.
Mae Klong Railway Market
Mae Klong Railway Market
Mae Klong Railway Market
Then it was on to visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Locals and tourists flock to this market to soak in the sights and to shop from the vendors selling local produce and souvenirs from traditional wooden boats. Floating markets are a way of life in Thailand.
Damnoen Saduak, Floating Market
Damnoen Saduak, Floating Market
Day 4 was a relax day. We visited the standing Buddha located in Wat Intharawihan. This is an impressive 32-meter-tall statue of a standing Buddha. We also took a long tail boat to the Asiatic market, a kind of docklands in Bangkok. Day 5 and it was off to Chiang Mai on the night bus.
That is a real bus…. and not a character from the Transformers
Wat Intharawihan
Wat Intharawihan, the Standing Buddha
Thailand has an extensive network of busses. From simple to super luxury. We took the VIP class night bus. This is a super comfortable bus with wide pullman seats with a lot of legroom. These seats recline and have foot and thigh rests that enable you to get a good night’s sleep. You arrive refreshed at your destination.
Our bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
The first two days were spent relaxing and exploring the city of Chiang Mai.
Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan
Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan
Wat Phantao, our favorite little local temple
Inside Wat Watchediluang Varaviham, see also featured image
I had arranged the hire of a Royal Enfield Hunter, a single cylinder 350cc motorcycle made in India. We, Susie and me, have toured extensively all over India, from the highest rideable pass in the world, the Khardung La, in the Himalayas, to the bottom of India, Kanyakumari, where the Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean all meet. This was done on “Bessie the flying chapati” a Royal Enfield 500 cc bullet. This was done in stages over a period of many years. So I was looking forward to riding the smaller Hunter 350.
Ready for business
The first stage was a 530 km, 3-day loop taking in Chiang Rai, the Clock Tower and the White Temple to the Golden Triangle where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet on the Mekong River, the Union of Hill Tribes where different indigenous tribes live in the mountains, including the famous Karen long Neck people, and back to Chiang Mai.
Roadside stop
The road to Chiang Rai
CLOCK TOWER PIC
Hot springs
Yep… Chiang Rai
Clocktower Chiang Rai
The White Temple Chiang Rai
The White Temple Chiang Rai
The White Temple Chiang Rai
Cave of Art White Temple Chiang Rai
Roadside stop
Arriving to the Golden Triangle
Our Enfield at the Golden Triangle
Golden Triangle
Golden Triangle
Golden Triangle, left opposite Myanmar, right opposite Laos with Mekong River
Golden Triangle with me and Enfield
Karen Long Neck people
Karen Long Neck people
Susie and the Enfield
After a good night’s sleep it was off on the Samoeng Loop. This is a nice little one day, 100 km loop around Chiang Mai. The route leads along some nice, little roads through the Samoeng Forest and flower gardens.
Samoeng Loop
Samoeng Loop
Taking in some sights like the Mae Sa Waterfall, Mon Jam and Pong Yang viewpoints and the Wat Phra That Doi Kham temple.
Mae Sa Waterfall
Wat Phra That Doi Kham, the Temple of the Sitting Buddha
Wat Phra That Doi Kham, the Temple of the Sitting Buddha
Wat Phra That Doi Kham, the Temple of the Sitting Buddha
The following day it was time to start the more arduous, Mae Hong Son loop. This route covers a distance of over 650 km and 1.864 curves on mountain passes, we took 5 days to do this loop. The first stop was a two-day break, spending Christmas day in Pai. Pai is a small mountain town, frequented by the backpacker community. Pai is also famous for it’s statue of the big White Buddha, its hot springs and it’s colourful walking street.
Road to Pai
Viewpoint on the way to Pai
Our little cabin for Christmas in Pai
Nightmarket Pai
Bamboo bridge Pai
Christmas music in Pai
Leaving our little cabin Pai
Then the next day some more serious twists along a beautiful road, through the jungle to a town called Mae Hong Son. This is just a small rural town situated around a lake on the River Pai. It has two really nice temples and a bustling night market. But somehow, I really love this little town. Susie got her commemorate diploma stating that she had done the full course. These are issued by the local department of tourism. We had rented a beautiful little chalet set in a nice green park on the side of the mountain.
Look out point on the Mae Hong Son Loop
Mae Hong Son Loop
Leaving Ride Live Explore sticker at Chamber of Commerce Mae Hon Son
Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son
Temple Mae Hon Son
The next day was another day full of twists and turns onto the town of Mae Sariang. Mae Sariang is on the Myanmar border and is surrounded by forest and hills. It is situated on the Yuam River. The next day, on the way back to Chiang Mai, we stopped at the Mae Sawan Noi Waterfall. This is a seven-tiered waterfall. It is a steep climb to see all seven tiers.
On the road to Mae Sariang
On the road to Mae Sariang
Leaving our hotel in Mae Sariang
Leaving Mae Sariang
Then back to Chiang Mai, where I happily returned the Enfield. Happily, returned, yes definitely. This bike was not really built for two up traveling over twisty steep mountain passes. It was also not really very comfortable and underpowered. Making riding it a chore. We spent the next day relaxing and exploring the old town.
On the way back to Chiang Mai
Happily returned the Enfield
Night Market in Temple grounds Chiang Mai
Our favorite Temple Shop Chiang Mai
We planned to spend New Year’s at the seaside, had booked another VIP bus to go to the seaside town of Hua Hin. What once was a small little fishing village with wooden houses has become a top tourist destination. It is famous for its white powdery sandy beaches and the lush jungle clinging to the side of the surrounding mountains. It is a couple of hours from Bangkok, making it an ideal location.
Waiting for Grab to go to bus station to Hua Hin
Our bus to Hua Hin
Our first meal at seaside restaurant with chopping waves
Breakfast in Hua Hin with Chinese Temple in background
We spent New Year’s Eve on the beach with just about everyone else. People were having private parties or joining in many of the local organized events. Thousands of people were launching Chinese lanterns. It was an amazing sight to see so many of these gliding majestically through the night sky. At midnight there was an organized firework display. The fireworks were shot off from boats moored a bit off the coastline.
Fireworks on New Years Eve at the beach of Hua Hin
Beach Hua Hin New Year 2025
Beach Hua Hin New Year 2025
Family preparing to let go their Chinese lantern New Year 2025
Me watching Chinese lantern rise New Year 2025
Then it was time for some serious beach time and this time instead of one son of a beach there were two.
Beach Hua Hin
Beach Hua Hin
Goodbye Hua Hin
Then back up to Bangkok where Susie returned to Amsterdam.
Back to Bangkok
Unfortunately, this is where life caught up with me. I had to return to my adopted city of Amsterdam to take care of a pressing matter that was not gonna go away or wait for 6 months. I had to change my ticket to return within a couple of days. I also booked another ticket to come back out here again within a couple of weeks.
To get a better idea of the places visited click on the link below to the like named photo album. Link below…. I hope
Facebook Album North Thailand revisited 3/12/2024 to 12/1/2025
For more detail of the places visited see my post form last year “North Thailand 14 December to 30 December 2023”.
Thank you for reading the post, looking at the photo albums, liking and commenting. In short thank you for sharing the journey with me. Now sit back in your favourite chair, grab a nice wee cup of tea and a packet of biscuits and click your way through the photo album.
My real time location is Chiang Mai, North Thailand.
Bye to next post