As if on cue, a gaggle of screaming roosters woke us up before sunrise but just as well they did as the view of the morning mist and fabled fog across the valley was spectacular.
By 9am it was starting to get hot so it was time to break camp for the last time, have a coffee at one of the many viewpoint cafes, and drive down the mountain to Phayao town for some Khao Soy.
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To follow: Phayao
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
You wouldn't get a wheelchair anywhere near where we camped (it was a challenge getting the truck in and out) so the only option would be to find somewhere to stay on the road at the top (there were plenty of places but not cheap).
The cafe was a popular stop off for bikers so most of them were from various motorcycle clubs.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Right, so it is accessible by road. Are there roadside viewpoints, or is there still a bit of a hike from the road? That was my understanding, which put me off the trip. LOL, a campsite has no interest for this softie.
I must say, we did experience similar views from the top of Doi Inthanon a few years back. However, most unlike me, I didn't take one photo - I'm normally very shutter happy. I think it must have been too cold to get my shutter finger working
Yes, it is accessible by road, and there are roadside viewpoints but you won't see the "talay mork" unless you're there at sunrise which would involve an overnight stay unless you're brave (or crazy) enough to drive that super-twisty 1148 road in the dark!
I just looked it up on the map and that cafe is about 900 km from Cha Am and a 12+ hour journey - and as spectacular as the scenery is, I’m not sure I’ll be undertaking it!!
Dannie Boy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 1:27 pm
I just looked it up on the map and that cafe is about 900 km from Cha Am and a 12+ hour journey - and as spectacular as the scenery is, I’m not sure I’ll be undertaking it!!
Yes, it's great that we have Buksidas awesome photos because I'm the same as you, completely done with long distance driving.
Well, obviously you don't go there just for that but roll it in to a week or two on the road sampling all the north has to offer. We did on average about two hours driving per day (aside from the main leg getting up there and back which was about six hours per day).
There are still a lot of "unseen" places and there were very few farangs on the entire trip, I think the most I saw were in Nan. The problem is that Thai social media has made all these places visible to the hi-sos and weekend warriors so discovering something new doesn't really happen in Thailand any longer ... everywhere, even the remote places, now have 'selfie stations'.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I've driven around that area (before I knew about the "talay mork"), and there is some beautiful scenery, and I agree with the super twisty road thing, although I haven't a clue whether or not I was on the 1148. However, I can certainly relate to the many bus accidents on those roads.
When I've explored the area before I've flown and hired a car on arrival, although not an option with my wife's medical equipment needs these days.
Have to admit that most of the photos are truly awesome - 10 years ago I’d probably be itching to follow in his footsteps but yes, that sort of distance is off-putting. I know you can break the journey up into more manageable stints, but you’ve still got to cover the distance one way or another.
I have a trip to the UK later this year, including a short break in Cornwall which will be about 280 miles (450 km) from where I live and that’s about as far as I’d like to travel.
We opted for some luxury after a week in a tent and stayed in a decent hotel on the lakefront. Phayao has a very laid-back feel to it and a marvelous lakeside boulevard with seating, flowerbeds, and plenty of shade trees. By late afternoon the locals gathered there to flirt, fish, or exercise and we joined them – for the fishing and a cold one to watch the sunset.
The advantage of staying on the fifth floor in a good hotel is that you get a solid night’s sleep and are not woken up by roosters. The disadvantage is that it feels a little sterile after the great views, natural ambiance, and isolation of the campsites.
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To follow: Phayao
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
