My Second ride

The Mekong River at the Golden Triangle

Rice paddies in what was once opium country

I have spent the past two days riding around The Golden Triangle (confluence of Thailand, Laos, and Burma). My second ride was a bit more powerful than my first. for $25/day I go an early 90's Honda CB400. It had enough power to get me out of trouble, but not so much that it would get me into trouble :-)

I left Chiang Mai at about 11:00 in the morning and headed for Doi Mae Salong, which used to be the opium capital of SE Asia. Set up in the hills, it was isolated and hard to access 25 years ago. Now Tea has replaced opium, and a decent paved road has replaced the old donkey track. I spent the night in Chiang Saen, on the Mekong, just across the river from Laos. Today I rode back to Chaing Mai, passing through, among other towns, Chiang Rai, Chiang Kham, Phayao, and Mae Kachan. The bit of road from Phayao to Wang Nua was a lot fun (see video below)

Overall I was surprised at how well paved the roads were up there. A few of places i had enough confidence to open it up a bit in the twistys. Tomorrow I an renting a dirt bike (Honda XR 250) and heading north west into the mountains, near the Burma border. I will be out for about three days, and hopefully will be able to make it up to the highest peek in Thailand.

Video: Road from Phayao to Wang Nua
http://vimeo.com/2979235

Video: Following a crazy fast kid on a dinky bike
http://vimeo.com/2979647