TO WAT ANALYO, PHAYAO….EASY THERE, CRAZY BACK

OverviewLength of trip; 2 days

Accommodation used; Motel

Approximate overall cost of trip for 3 people; 3000 baht , including peripheral spending.

Start time from Chiang Mai; around 8.30am

Arrival at Phayao; around 6.30pm

Departure from Phayao; around 8.30am

Arrival back in Chiang Mai; around 9.30pm

Places visited; Day 1: Un named waterfall…marked on map above, approx 30 kms before Phayao

Wat Analyo, approx 10 kms before Phayao(Look out for the signposts)

Phayao

Day 2:

Riding through Chae Son Valley

Chae Hom

Kiu Lom Lake

TO WAT ANALYO………LARS AND HIS BIG CHOPPER

This was just 3 weeks ago, in the first week of April, when Lars, a Danish plumber, with a penchant for interior design, had been visiting for a couple of weeks and was keen to get out and see more of Northern Thailand.

Boon had quite a busy schedule with his business, but we decided to fit in a couple of days traveling with Lars, who had turned up with Conga Dave, an old friend from the UK. Shame Dave had already gone home really.

Lars had been out and rented a 250cc Honda Chopper.By all accounts very comfortable and certainly handled the hills a touch better than my 150cc JRD., but then I did have a passenger.

So off we went, heading east to Phayao, mainly in search of Wat Analyo, the replica of Buddhas original Temple in India.

TO WAT ANALYO…….RIDING THROUGH THE APRIL SUN , IN NEED OF A WATERFALL

We gave ourselves all day to get there, being that this was April and the temperature was up in the high 30’s. Riding at an easy 50kph for most of the way we also allowed ourselves several rest stops, grabbing some shade and drinks.
Heading out on the road to Chiang Rai and then taking a right turn, shortly after a favourite coffee stop at Pong Nam Ron, we rode through some stunning mountain roads, and encountered the occassional early Song Kran player throwing water as we passed.

As long as you’re ready enough for it, to avoid crashing on the suddenly slippy road, its quite refreshing in such hot weather, having a bucket of water thrown in your face.

By midday we were pretty much melting and on the hunt for a waterfall where we might be able to cool down.

It took a while but eventually we came apon a beautifully refreshing spot, around 30kms from Phayao, and free! Always the best.

We joined many Thais, including a bunch of village kids who had been taken there by a group of Buddhist Monks, soaking in the natural beauty, and getting soaked in the wonderfully cooling water that gushed down the mountainside.

TO WAT ANALYO……….

The waterfall was such fun and so refreshing that it was difficult to drag ourselves away .
But onwards we went. Back out in the searing heat, and before we hit Phayao, came across signs to our target, Wat Analyo.

Wat Analyo actually encompasses 3 different sites in close proximity.

The first is entered via an old stone stairway, which, apart from the very first few steps, which take you under a very impressive archway, is long but not so steep.

There are actually several small Temples of differing styles on this first site as well as quite an array of impressive stone statues, set amongst the mountain forest trees it is so peaceful, apart from the hums and buzzs of the forest insect life.

If ever I take the plunge and sign up as a Monk , this is definitely high on the list of places I’d like to do it.

So quiet, and so much beauty, both the architecture and the scenery, some great views of the surrounding countryside .

Across the road from this site is a clearing in the trees where you will find another sitting Buddha of the giant variety.

This Buddha was obviously very old and possibly in need of renovation, and looking across to the third sight where the replica of Buddhas Temple can be found.
Completely different in design to Thai Temples this blue/white stone edifice casts an imposing feature on the landscape. It is set in manicured landscaped gardens , another must for anyone interested in the Buddhist theme.
From here it was on the short distance to Phayao, a seemingly rich town that sits on the edge of a huge lake.