Back to Chiang Mai

18-02-2020 – Nong Khai to Loei

Today the plan was to travel along the Mekong River to Chiang Khan before heading south to Loei.

There is plenty to see along this route, but we made sure we stopped at Wat Pha Tak Suea where there is a small glass walkway on a lookout over the Mekong River Valley. It was here we met a lovely family who turned out to be one of the local police men. There was also an interesting temple to see as Pak Chom. Then it was off to AIS shop to top up our AIS phone cards for another month. Just can’t do without the internet! We celebrated with a coffee at one of the prettiest Cafe Amazons in Thailand. This has a lovely view of the Mekong River.

Tired we found a hotel, The Fortune D, in Loei before we headed out for dinner. One of the wonderful thing I has enjoyed so much about Thailand is having my hair washed every week, so with dinner over the the rest of everyone finishing their beers I had my hair washed. Nice!

19-02-2020 – Loei – Lom Kao – Return to Sunnery Ville

Today the plan was to head back to the border and down the Hueang River which runs along the Thai / Laos border. Sadly we enjoyed ourselves a little too much and became time poor as there were a couple of amazing temples we wanted to share with Neil and Connie a little south, so we didn’t spend a much time on the border than we hoped.

Cafe Amazon with Elvis wanting to join our group.

We did visit the Ban Na Kra Seng Border crossing – another one of the non tourists areas and Phra That Satcha. They don’t see many tourists here and were so very appreciative of our donation to their fundraising.

The two main temple we wanted to share today was the Wat Somdet Phu Ruea and Wat Pahuaylad Temple. They are both amazing for different reasons. Wat Pahuaylad Temple when complete will have a mountain with a huge naga overlooking the enormous temple. The Wat Somdet Phu Rue is unique with the longest temple we have ever seen that extends down a mountainside.

Last stop for the day is our favourite hotel in the area The Sunnery Ville. This is close to a market and cafe which we enjoyed exploring for the afternoon and evening.

20-02-2020 – Lom Kao to Phrae

Today turned into a day to make some distance, but that didn’t mean we didn’t have some fun. We found quite by accident a temple with elephants and cattle.

Another of the places we wanted to visit was the Chedi You Duan – here there is just so many rooster statues. This chedi celebrates 2 great kings that settles a war by a cock fight. This saved many many lives.

One of the groups favourites is the Wat Phrathat Suthron Mongkhon Khiri – so we stopped to see the progress on this Wat.

21-02-2020 – Phrae – Chiang Mai

Sadly we headed for Chiang Mai this morning to get our hire car back to Hertz. It is always sad as we all have such a wonderful time on our exploring. The positive is, back on our home ground, our favourite Pad Thai was chosen for lunch! Mmmmmm. As this was our last evening together for this trip we also headed off to our favourite cafe for dinner. A great night!

22-02-2020 – Day around Chiang Mia

We wanted to take the guys to what we think is the best markets in Chiang Mai – The Jing Jai Farmers markets is also not full of the usual nic nacks and rubbish. Food is wonderful and we had a wonderful morning enjoying the music and singing. Connie purchased a pair of earrings much to the shock of Neil. By early afternoon we headed for drinks at Chaiya Coffee where we met the funniest manager ever. He had us in stitches with his dry wit and funny punch lines.

Neil and Connie were due to take off early in the morning for Bangkok (and then Australia) – once again we will miss them so much, but will catch up with them before they leave Australia in a few months time. Sadly due to Covid-19 this would not occur.