Feels good to be back on the saddle. On 21/11/23, I rode solo from SG to Ayutthaya. It was just under 2000km in total. And had 3 stopovers at HDY, Surat, Prachuap and arriving at Ayutthaya on fourth day. The next 2 legs were under 300km each, and today’s ride to Chiangmai would be about 330km. Six of us now: Mr. GPS, KCK, Crack, Indie K, Flying Chicken (FC), and jaywheeler. And the date is 28/11/23.
The roads in this region are pretty flat. Occasionally, there are some big sweeping bends. A couple of road works at some stretches did not bother us much. The asphalt is generally well-maintained and good. But it lacks the excitement and challenge of what Nan, a couple of hundred km north, provides. Still, it’s good to just ride & be free. Sometimes we detour to POIs. And usually stop for lunches at some hidden restaurants that offer authentic and delicious Northern Thai food. There were coffee breaks, too. It is really quite relaxing. No pressure.
Our ride to Chiangmai was smooth. Our speed varies according to road conditions (and mood). Lunch at the Teak Wood Café was excellent. Thai food is not always about thomyam. We didn’t eat at the café though we had coffee after lunch here. It was the restaurant in the main building that serve the food. I mention the Café because I don’t know what the restaurant was called in Thai.
We hit Chiangmai maybe about 3pm. Critically examined the abodes that Mr. GPS has put us in for the next 3 days. It’s sort of an old typical wooden house with a compound and a little fish pond, situated on the outskirts of Chiangmai. Clean bedsheets, hot shower, and safe parking. We gave our collective nod.
Yee Peng Festival, or Sky Lantern Festival is celebrated in North Thailand, and in particular, Chiangmai. People flock along the banks of the Ping River, just beside the Khua Lek Bridge. The eastern bank was lined with luxury hotels that have their exclusive riverfront where they set up dining for their guests. On the west bank, it is very public and that’s where most of the action happen. Crackers, shooting stars (see vid)hand-held rockets, fireworks, and some really explosive monsters were fired from here. We were right in the mix. Krathong were also released onto the river, but the main draw were the sky lanterns. The lanterns are released into the night sky as and when, powered by a big wad of wax which provides heat for the lift. You have to hold the lantern upright while the burning wax heat up the air inside. And after a while, you launch it. Just let it float. Some got caught in the branches of the tree by the river and burn out. Indie K had the best launch. His lantern skimmed over the river inches above the water for an awfully long time and then dramatically shot up and away to joined the hundreds already airborne. KCK bought fireworks and was using the floating lanterns as targets. See vid. He couldn’t hit any, despite his 8-shot cannon! Mr. GPS or someone got us a table in a restaurant. The table was by the river, and we could see everything happening. It was great. He even befriended 3 French tourists (female) who begged to join our table as the place was chock-a-block.
Videos 1) the floating lanterns are targets, 2) shooting stars , 3) Launching lantern
Yee Peng and Loy Krathong are 2 different festivals that often coincide annually. It’s based on the full moon and their calendar. Silly me always thought they were the same thing until now. I learn something already. Also, that the Thais love and enjoy their festivals.
The revelry went on late into the night. We finally quit, leaving the festival and bringing with us memory of this extraordinary experience.
Tomorrow, Mae Kam Pong.
Jaywalker, Ping River near Khua Lek Bridge, Chiangmai, 28 Nov. ’23.
2 wheels and an engine 