Yes, this time it was just me and Ally, Somboons not so keen on hot day rides, shame ‘cos it was a nice easy ride, no hills and plenty of shade.
Our choice for the day was to take an easy ride up and down the River Ping.
Our start point was Wat Pang Yuu, which you will find by taking the Hang Dong turn off Highway 11, the one that actually carries on to Samoeng. The Temple is on the left with the entry road being just before the river bridge.
We met up at around 10.30 and started the journey with a stroll around Wat Pang Yuu. I have been seeing this Temple and its impressive array of statues for quite sometime no as I passed by on the highway between the main Hang Dong road and Highway 11 and have long been promising myself a visit.
Ally informed me that, although it was not the first time she had visited , she was very impressed with what is clearly a relatively recent facelift. On her previous visit it had apparently been a very run down and neglected place.
It is the many large Buddha images that catch your eye from the highway but there are more nice surprises when you get inside the Temple compound.
There are an incredible number of Buddha statues, both large and small. Then, to the rear of the compound you come across a beautiful Vihara surrounded by an extensive pond.
Also, don’t miss the ancient looking Buddha scene, under the trees to the left of the pond. Though not lavishly painted like the newer statues you see from the road, for me this image has the real Buddha spirit about it somehow.
Many photographs later we left the Temple, from the front entrance gate that overlooks the river, and headed left toward Lamphun.
This day was a nice contrast to some of our rides that involve many kilometres and several destinations. On this day the only real plan was a relaxed ride up and down the river.
And very nice it was to. The River Ping, away from the city centre, certainly on this stretch towards Lamphun, has a wonderfully relaxing effect and a look that belies its size and strength. With the many ancient overhanging trees, floating water plants and its many twists and turns it feels more like a beautiful winding stream.
As always my craving for coffee was early to raise its head and we were on the look out for a place to stop. Around 10-15 minutes ride from the Temple we found what should end up being a great riverside rest point. At the moment it is clearly still under construction, but was nevertheless open.
Didn’t actually get the name of the place but it appears to be a Thai concern, that, the lady who served us our coffee informed us, specializes in fish dishes along with other common Thai options. It is right on the river bank, looking towards the large weir we would visit shortly after. A lovely quiet place for coffee and a very likely meal out place in the future, being not so far from home.
So,
after coffee it was just a couple of minutes ride before we reached the impressive looking weir, which looks to be a fairly new addition, or has at least been recently refurbished and acts also as a river crossing for pedestrians and motorcys. It is at this point that the canal system for Lamphun starts. The surrounding area is quiet lovely, with a nice size gazebo on the banks of the canal, which was occupied by a friendly bunch of local youngsters at the time.
Although we didn’t visit anymore on this trip, there are several riverside Temples along the way, so expect some reports on those in the coming weeks.
Indeed, what we found on this route, was not so many ‘attractions’, other than the river itself, which was fine by me. There was plenty of interest. Just before we crossed the river and headed back to Chiang Mai down the other side, about 15 minutes ride after the weir, we saw some new,(to me), birdlife.
All along the way, apart from the river there are several amazing buildings, from lavish homes to ‘wild shacks’ as Ally calls them.
For more ‘wild shacks’ please visit Allys site, where you will also get much better route information thanks to Allys excellent GPS machine.
On the way back to Chiang Mai we spotted a few fishermen in the water hauling nets; stopped for lunch at a local Thai outlet, very tasty food and only 20 baht!;
called in at Ban Nam Ping, which is a riverside Hotel which has rooms from 1500 baht a night or 30 nights for 30,000,(out of my budget, but for those of you in that range for your holiday it looked like a very nice location, with a buffet restaurant from 150 baht, a small swimming pool and kayaks, free to hotel guests or 100 baht an hour to walk in customers);
and shortly before parting at 1.30 , took a short detour to a very nice coffee shop just off the super highway.
After leaving Ally I carried on down the river road which eventually brings you onto ChangKlan road and into town where I met Boon at The Brick Road Cafe.
Just a short trip this time , around 4 hours in all from Wat Pang Yuu, at a very easy pace.
For more photos please visit our photobucket album here
If you are on the look out for a motorbike or just have an interest in them, why not pop along to the second hand motorbike and car market, held every Sunday, not far off the super highway, Chiang Mai.
The motorbike section is mostly motorcys, automatic and semi-automatic, 2 stroke and 4 stroke.
There is also an extensive Thai market where you will find the usual wide array of goods and fresh foods on offer.
A little more expensive than the other outlets but it has a nice ambience and the quality and portions of the food are very good.
Yet another trip into Chiang Mai. This time it was back to the second hand motorcy market to get the registration book for the bike we bought last week.
Finally meeting him there, we went to Mee Mee Cafe for ice coffee before going to check out the bikes.
As we searched around for something in the 5-6000 bracket for Marc, we bumped into a few old faces we had got to know as customers in The Brick Road Cafe; Roger , Sam and Bill.
Then it was in to The Brick Road to say ‘hi’ to the staff , chill with a cold drink and watch the Sunday Walking Street Market set up. We actually hung out for a couple of hours, and I couldn’t resist ordering a plate of those great British Chips, still the best in town. After saying hello to a few of our old market stall friends we headed back home at around 5.30pm as it began to threaten rain.
Coming back to the house first, to find the Honda registration book for Marc, we then rode over to the Childrens Home. Marcs only just learning on a motorcy, having had a couple of lessons from Guy at the home, so it was a slow ride over with me and Boon leading the way.
