In the morning, start off and cruise along 1265 Sbd, towards Khun Khan National Park, then on 1284 to Doi Ithanon. From Doi Ithanon, head west on 1192 to Mae Chaem where we will stay for the night.
Curves, corners & jungles were the order of the day. Some spots were a little damp. While whizzing along on Doi Ithanong, I throttled a little too soon while powering out of a corner. The rear tyre slipped and I could feel the front slipping, too. The bike’s ‘traction control’ kicked in plus a good kick from my right to the tarmac save the day. Phew. That was too close for comfort.
Along the way, we also stopped by a hot spring and boil some eggs, just to take a break.
It was inevitable. The rain will catch us somewhere along this route of about 220km. After passing through Doi Ithanon, it finally caught up. Not a big deal though. Just a mini drenching. We stopped to eat somewhere quite close to the hotel. Waited a little for the rain to ease, don our wet weather gear and away we go.
Chatting with chef at next location about dinner & cultural dance performance.
The hotel is in the village. It is more a homestay then a hotel. However, it was good enough. The owner is a gay young man who is also a chef. He has cooked in international 5-star hotels before settling here. During a stop while on the way here, he chatted with KM7 over the phone and ask if we have any special request for dinner. Otherwise he will prepare a Thai dinner with the use of spices and condiments adjusted to suit our taste buds. Spoken like a pro. He also ask if we are interested to include a Thai Cultural Dance into our dinner programme. I voted ‘yea’ and unfortunately, there was also a ‘nay’. So no cultural dance during dinner. Later, it was explained to us what it takes to do a performance. There will be four performers. School children. Who will have to start preparing at 2pm to be able to perform at 7pm. They need to have their hair done to accommodate their headgear. There will be elaborate make-up, jewellery, long nails fitted, be squeezed into costumes and probably their parents have to bring them here. A cultural thing the locals appreciate. A performance especially for us as we dine. A reason why we left the beaten track, and a chance to pay back to the villagers. For only a couple thousand Baht divided by seven of us, and we missed it. I know nothing about Thai cultural dance. But I am open to new experience, new knowledge. Maybe by watching with a knowledgeable host, we may learn about their culture a little more, a culture that is far older than ours? We are all 3rd World in our attitude & thinking. Sad.
Anyway, chef didn’t let us down. Dinner was served on a low table as is the custom here. We sat on the mat around the table. When the food was brought out, he sat with his legs folded under him, Thai style, and took pains to explain each dish. He was very proud of his cooking. And yes, the use of spices and condiments were delightfully balanced and dinner was exquisite.
Cookie Monster is recovering from whatever was bothering him. The rest of us are ok, except for Bongee, who since Day 1 has been coughing all over our mookata. But he too is recovering.
Its pretty remote where we are. So eat. Sleep. Ride.
Good food = Good sleep = Dreamwalking = Jaydreaming
December First, Twenty Twenty-Two at Mae Chaem
2 wheels and an engine 