Road trip........part II

A day to explore the local area; the rural back roads. This is a very agricultural area; lots of small farms growing corn, vegetables and other stuff I don't even recognize.  Ventured down a couple of dirt tracks, the CB not happy getting her slick city shoes dirty. 

Went to the "House of Priests" near Lam Chae lake for some great views over the surrounding countryside and of the impending storm hurling its lightning bolts ever closer. Time to get off the dirt and back on to the tarmac; the CB would be stuck in wet mud. Made it to the black top just in time as the rain crashed furiously to the ground. Riding almost blind at times, I made it back to the resort soaked to the skin to be welcomed with a power cut.

The next day was north to Khon Kaen, a stepping stone on the way to the mountains of northern Thailand. Mostly a highway slog through uninspiring flat land. A means to an end; but it is always better on the bike than off.

Khon Kaen is very Covid paranoid. Alcohol is offically banned; which means it is served in coffee mugs rather than openly in bottles. I'm sure the local constabulary are oblivious........

More highway slogging the next day on the road to Phitsanulok; but it became more scenic the further west I rode. Hills!! Actual curves in the road!! This was more like it. The road over the hills before entering the city was a fantastic 2 to 3 lane highway curling and swooping it's way through the landscape......and very little traffic. Race time....take the racing line, knee down, hit the apex and smile. Fun, fun, fun! The CB was in its element; no more dirty shoes!

Phitsanulok seemed an OK town on my very brief visit. Only found one bar; a local Thai place with live music and cheap beer. I was the only farang in the place so was left in peace to contemplate the days ride. "Cart Road Bar", good place.

The next day was the ride to Nan, proper northern Thailand. Decided to avoid the highways today, strictly the back roads. Good choice, slower speeds, lighter traffic and fantastic scenery. Breath in.....and let the peace descend. Epic day; the road wound it's way up into the "mountains". Past emerald green paddy fields (the most vivid greens you will ever see), along ridges (avoiding the cows in the road) and a ferry over a reservoir). 

The ferry was there, but that was all. No other vehicles, no boatman. There was a small floating restaurant nearby, so I asked when the next ferry was..."20 minutes". So I waited, 45 minutes later, a man and his happy black dog appeared in a small boat from the other side of the lake and beckoned me to board the ferry. Just me then!? OK, this could be expensive. But, we putted across the lake and I was charged the grand total of 150 Baht (less than £3.50). Bargain!

Then it was back on to the beautiful twisty road (the 1026 - fantastic route!) north to Nan. Nan is a temple town; a sleepy temple town. My hotel was between the local prison and the juvenile court. OK, maybe just the one night here. A 6-pack of Singha beer from the 7-11 and back to the hotel for a quiet night in.

Soundtrack: Tindersticks- "Patchwork"