The Road Trip or Adventures in Northern Thailand

After two great days in Chiang Dao, we headed North to Chiang Khong with a stop high in the mountains in a town called Mae Salang  which is, as I said, in Northern Thailand but was settled by Chinese immigrants and where we ate at a Halal restaurant (it was really good too). 
Chiang Khong is on the Mekong River directly across from Lao.  There are two photos below from my $20 room looking toward Lao, the second is at sunrise. After having an amazing breakfast at a local café which is known for its Mexican food (yes), we headed to Phu Chi Fa, a town in the mountains which has a peak with amazing views (we were told), but after trying three different places with obvious vacancies we could not find a place to stay.  All said "Full" when asked for accommodation.  Perplexing!  We have come up with many theories as to why we were not welcomed here, but in any case, we left somewhat dejected.  At our last lodging rejection, Paulette pointed out a little boy no more than 1 1/2 who was chopping something with a machete almost as large as he was!  Really!  I'm not kidding!  We were so amazed/shocked/in awe of this that I didn't think to take a picture - none of us did!  I needed to record it and so there is a poor rendition in watercolor of the aforementioned incident.  Due to my ineptitude as an artist who can draw from memory, the boy looks more like 4 than the toddler he was.  You'll have to use your imagination.  We then drove back down the mountain and on to the next stop, Phayao, which is referred to as the Vienna of Thailand and has a lake in the middle.  I say 'we' but Chuck is the master driver who has gotten us from point A to point B repeatedly despite setbacks, road construction, crazy drivers and motorcycles as well as some bad directions from the navigation system.
We are now in Nan where we have spent two nights in a home stay on the Nan River owned and run by Norman (from England) and his lovely wife.  The grounds are beautiful and Nan is a nice town with a LOT of wats!  We visited Wat Phumin which is world renowned for the art frescoes inside.  The wat is also unique in how it sits on top of two snakes (or nagas).
We were impressed with how clean the town and the air are around here.  Many farmers in the North burn their fields to prepare for next year's crop, but in Nan province it is prohibited hence the clean air and clear blue skies.  Way to go, Nan!

Mae Salang

Along the Way - Pineapples in Lower Right

A Roadside Attraction

Chiang Khong and Lao Across the River

The Mountain & the Baby
4 photos from Phayao



 

 

 

Below is a view from my room in Nan, followed by Wat photos.