These giant Buddhas are quite awe inspiring, especially in settings such as this.
After a fuel stop at Chiang Saen, there was another mountain range to cross and we took the opportunity to take another detour, to a waterfall tucked away in the forests, next to yet another Temple.
Unfortunately I neglected to note the name but it was about half way to Chiang Kong, from the Golden Triangle, and signposted for a right turn.
It wasn’t so big but was beautiful and the Temple next door had some very old stonework, including stone monkeys climbing up the walls.
A little further on , up in the mountains we stopped to take a look at a couple of the mountain villages.
Saw some amazing views, houses,people and became centre of attention for many school kids on their way home. The kids loved posing for photos and gave some great examples of the famous Thai smiles. 
Eventually we made our way to Chiang Khong, passing through the most stunning views, and booked in to The Green Tree Guest House. Boon and I had been here before on an overnight trip and found it to be a very friendly little place with good food at local Thai prices and comfy rooms for just 100baht a night.
Both Boon and I were shattered from so much travel on the bike and ended up having a very early night whilst martin explored the night life in Chiang Khong. For such a small place the local entertainment was by all accounts quite good, with a good splattering of bars and live music.
DAY 4.
The next morning we headed off fairly early as Martin needed to be back in Chiang Rai for 1.30 to catch a bus down south.
The road from Chiang Khong carries on back round to Chiang Rai through yet more unbelievably beautiful countryside.
We made it back to Chiang Rai at almost spot on 1.30 and said our goodbyes to Martin, after Boon helped him get a ticket for the bus which, as it turned out, didn’t leave for another couple of hours.
We have since received e mail confirmation from Martin, now back in the States, that his little tour with us was the highlight of his trip, which is most heartwarming.
As for Boon and I, it was off to visit the famous White Temple, Wat Rong Khun. This Temple is the lifetime project of Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, and is quite spectacular in its design.
The entirely white stonework is adorned with thousands of tiny mirror tiles. Some say that this is meant for the visitor to see the Buddha spirit reflected within themselves. I have to admit to feeling slightly let down with its location, being right next to an intersection and the distinct lack of Monks, other than the few amongst the visitors. 
Apparently the attraction is particularly designed to be viewed in the moonlight and it is said that the effect is well worth seeing…another plan for the future.
Still in no rush to get home we then went 40 km east off the route home to find another ‘Uncle’,another quiet rural setting and a fantastic Thai house where we were greeted,fed and boarded for the night. 
Before taking to our beds we went out on the bike for a look around and stopped at a nearby bar for a soft drink. Whilst we were there a middle aged Thai couple came in with a plate of barbecued meat of some sort. Seeing me, they called us over and offered us some of the meat. Wanting to at least know what it was, I asked before accepting. Having been told that it was rat, and once told could see from the shapes that this was likely true, i went ahead and accepted the offer. Its not something I would make a habit of eating but I have to say that it was quite delicious, somewhere in between pork and beef in flavour.
DAY 5
In the morning we were breakfasted on chicken and rice before we set off for home.
We took a steady ride back,taking the loop from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, through Wiangpapao, rather than back the way we came, its much shorter.
We made several stops again to rest ourselves and the bike. The recent heavy rains showed in the mountain rivers.
Another of the delights of living here, for me, is the huge variety of butterfly’s and i am doing my best to gather a collection, by photo only, no way I would kill these beauties.
Although the rivers were full and murky brown from the rains, that day the sun shone and it was a thoroughly enjoyable ride home to good old Chiang mai.
Another example of why you should check out the little lanes. This little beauty is tucked away down a small side road off Sam Lan, the southern extension of Singarat.
This low but elongated Wat has a gorgeous scarlet interior, a popular colour scheme with many Chiang Mai Temples.
Its long exterior walls are lined with painted angels.
To the rear of the Temple, against the back wall is a covered area with an impressive collection of Buddha statues.
Also behind the Temple is a medium sized , gold coloured Chedi. To the left of this, one of the Monks buildings has an exquisite Buddha painting on its apex wall.
Turning right out of the Brick Road Cafe a leisurely 10 minute walk will get you to the Thapae Gate end of Ratchadamnoen. A short distance before you reach the end you will find Wat Muen Larn, the last Temple on the left hand side of the road, facing Thapae Gate.
Like many in the Old City, this small size Temple is built in the Lanna style and appears to be quite old in origin. It has some interesting buildings within its modest compound. The bell tower in particular caught my eye.
‘Shiny shiny, shiny boots of leather…’ , woops , distant memories of a mispent youth with the sounds of The Velvet Underground ringing in my ears; can’t help getting that song in my head everytime I pass this Wat.
This Temple turned out to be just 5 minutes or so ride down the road and a wonderful place to visit.
Indeed it seems to have been developed into a ‘teaching’ Temple.
Other notable features are the gigantic Golden reclining Buddha; a group of quaint concrete Animal statues, including dinosaurs, and a curious dome shape Vihara.
It became quite impossible to take photographs of the concrete animals without several children rushing into the shot and posing. Many of them seemed keen to practice their English and there was a prolonged period of answering the same questions, ‘what is your name?’, ‘where do you come from?’. The lovely part of that was the genuine looks of delight when they got an answer, seemingly surprised that I’d actually understood them.
One confident young lad, Boom, became my guide for a short time, keen to point all the many different things worth photographing.
It was he who took me around to the dome shape Vihara, quite different in design to anything I’ve seen at Thai Temples before, it had more of a Dutch feel about it to me.
This Temple was locked up and appeared very quiet when I visited. It is a small Temple next to many of its near neighbours. It has a quaint ,Lanna style, Activities hall and a bell tower. Behing the Temple is a square Chedi that is presently under reconstruction.
