Touring ThailandThe Chiang Mai to Mae Sai LoopPart 3 - Return to Chiang Mai The final stage of the journey took us back via the highway 1 south to Chiang Rai then the highway 118 to Chiang Mai, completing the loop.
We soon realised that riding south in the early morning hours wasn't that wise a choice. At first the mist and fog wasn't too thick, but as soon as we reached Mae Sai outskirts the stuff was everywhere.
No big deal though as it gave us time to get food from a bleak looking restaurant until it had cleared...
The highway 1 can be a depressingly straight road at the best of times but we soon reached Chiang Rai.
We weren't planning on any social visits though and had time only to get a few shots off in the main square.
The temperature display is a nice touch...
It is not only Chiang Mai that has intact city walls...
The unending straightness of Highway 1 came to a halt some time after passing out of Chiang Rai. The turn-off is at these traffic lights.
Onto the highway 118! At first it is pretty ordinary roads and surroundings though...
After here the roads become twisty and the turns can be sharp. It's not like highway 107 for danger but it still has some challenges. Stay Sharp!
An alternate route to Fang is here if you hang a right...
The roads are back to the flatland style of gradual turns and straights now.
A good place to stop and rest is in Wiang Pa Pao. About ten kilometers out of Wiang Pa Pao the roads are heavily under construction with road-works everywhere.
There was little time or space to pull over and provide pictures for you folks either.
But it was no sweat as we just took them on the move instead!
After 8 kilometers or so the roadworks ended and it was back to normal roads again.
After this photo was taken the road straightened out for Doi Saket and then it was onto Chiang Mai! Hope you enjoyed the trip! |
