Thailand: Ban Muang, learning to fly. Day 2
A tough morning view, watching the mist burn off as the sun warmed the valley.
Waking today it was quite cool in the mountains, I walked outside my little cabin to reveal a sight that I had not expected to see in Tropical Thailand. A thick pea soup like mist swirling around you and the surrounding countryside it was rather surreal. Packing up my kit I made my way for Breakfast, today it was a simple omelette, strong coffee and green tea with a healthy serving of Zen. Just sitting there watching the fog slowly lift as it got burnt off by the rising morning sun was enough to put the grumpiest of non-morning type people in a good mood and that is exactly what it did to me.
Thai cooked breakfast with a view, I think the chef didn’t get the memo about cooking the eggs.
I was keen as mustard and chomping at the bit to hit the road, when the fog had lifted it revealed a magically clear sunny day that was ever so inviting. Slapping on the sunscreen and strapping down my bag I could barely contain my excitement as the bikes roared into life and we hit the road, destination, Ban Muang.
After yesterday’s washed-out trail and adventures in the Jungle, we were encouraged to find out that today’s ride to Ban Muang was about a leisurely 4-hour ride away on a combination of double tracks and some single trails.
Morning chores, feeding the water buffalo
Water Buffalo are like cats, they really don’t want to be herded
Hard not to be relaxed in a place like this
The trails were purported to be easier going and more open so we should be able to maintain some relative momentum and not boil in our own juices as it was heating up quickly and looking to be a hot and muggy one, this suited us just fine.
Setting off at a leisurely pace it wasn’t long before we were immersed in the mountains again. The mountains were fast becoming my happy place, cool air and ever-changing scenery really made for a pleasant trail
Our Hi Volt tour guides (Grace & P’Lah), looking rather dapper in riding gear as they show us the remains of a bridge washed away in recent flooding rains
What can I say someone has to act the goat on the bridge remains. it would had to be a bonza of a flood as the bridge was quite elevated
The trail was relatively easy going as it meandered in and out of farmlands and before we knew it, we’d eaten up quite a few miles and were halfway over there without incident. Stopping for pictures here and there the pace really was chilled, and it was probably exactly what we needed after yesterday’s challenging and difficult terrains. Confidence returned and life just felt great with the wind blowing in our hair so to speak. The trails here were not too technical or muddy and slippery as yesterday
Soaking up the view at Doi Kiew Lom viewpoint, one of those tops of the world moments we all live for but somehow never seem to make time for.
But rather were more than enough of a challenge that you couldn’t switch off completely or you’d eat some dust. So, if I had to label them, I’d call them goldilocks trails for our skill level. At one point we stopped before a river crossing for a chill out and to watch some locals herding water buffalo. This little interlude I found peaceful and Zen like, just sitting on the rocks by the riverbed watching life slowly pass me by really made me appreciate I was living the dream.
Jungle two-wheeled meanderthal buddies on top of the world
Arriving at Ban Muang without incident we had a great simple little lunch and checked into our bungalows overlooking the sleepy rice fields and village of Ban Muang before setting off on an afternoon ride to Doi Kiew Lom viewpoint.
As it sounds, this view point is part of a national park high up in the mountains. Getting there took us a couple of hours travelling over a combination of dirt roads, double trails and half an hour of twisty, windy bitumen roads which were amazing fun
Simple Village life as a little old lady watching on with amusement at 2 Farang meanderthals trying Thai whiskey
Moonshine madness AKA Thai whiskey, this stuff would make a great substitute for rocket fuel.
There was bugger all traffic on this road and our trusty steeds whilst only 300cc capacity motors were more than enough to throw them around and roar up the road feeling like a king of the mountain. Reaching the top, we were greeted with an amazing view and the perfect place to just sit down, sip on a coffee and soak up the views. On our way back down the mountain we stopped in the village to sample to sample the local Thai Whiskey. I think the pictures tell a good enough story, it just had to be done it’s the meanderthal way.
Doi Kiew Lom viewpoint and surrounds was not on our original itinerary of travel. We ended up here today because yesterday we didn’t reach our scheduled check point and had to improvise.
A picture paints a thousand words, needless to say i am not a fan of Thai Whiskey
But I was fast learning improvisation sometimes is the name of the game in Thailand, first it was our amazing accommodation last night and today this wicked lookout off the beaten path and some fine whiskey to sample. It was a perfect lesson for those that are wired to have rigid itineraries, checklists and everything all planned out. Learn to go slowly as you meander, and all will work itself out. Doing so opens more opportunities and generates less disappointment to your life
