After our romp in the city we were quite excited about getting out of town for a day so we packed up the bike and off we went, north this time. Took a left at Mae Rim and headed west into the mountains. Traffic wasn't too bad and after we passed all the regular tourist traps it thinned out even more and we could open up the 155cc Yamaha Scooter... Easy Rider like.
The road started to wind and climb into the mountains, the temperature started to drop to a very comfortable 25 celsius and the smells of the jungle were intoxicating. It was like smelling flowers and unburned incense as we cruised around each corner. We stopped a couple times to see if we could determine the origin of the aromas and realized there were banana trees, everywhere! Imagine driving down the hi-way, through a green walled jungle and the smell of ripe bananas all around you.
We continued on and when the road turned to gravel, well Shayne was at home. He was looking forward to seeing how the 155 would handle in the dirt.
We came to a small village called Samoeng and rode through town when we came upon a view of the rice fields with mountains in the background. While sitting there taking some pictures you could hear people working the fiends. Turned out this was a harvest day and most of the villagers were working there. What a great office to work in, beautiful fields, mountains, clouds and mist covering the mountain tops and fresh air. Beautiful.
We carried on our little road until it bacame very rutted and narrow and when it started pouring rain I was able to convince Shayne to turn around.
Good thing we brought our rain coats as it started pouring! We looked for a good place to pull over but there wasn't anything so we carried on and got a few laughs from the locals as we hauled ass in the pouring rain on our little scooter and rain coats... full speed, uphill means about 64 km/h. It really wasn't as bad as we make it out, it actually felt great, it was warm, the rain was warm and it was a lot of fun. When was the last time you played in the pouring rain and loved it?
Well, the rain stopped and we were drenched, really didn't need the rain coats hahaha. Stopped for a bit to rest our butts and take some pictures of a very cool guesthouse with a chocolate river!
Well, the rain stopped and we were drenched, really didn't need the rain coats hahaha. Stopped for a bit to rest our butts and take some pictures of a very cool guesthouse with a chocolate river!
Back on the bike and found another trail that looked like it climbed up over the clouds so off we went. We were not disappointed, what a view! The farms in this area seemed to be lettuce, strawberries and some kind of squash that were growing on terraces carved into the mountains, it was a great location and reminded us of home in the mountains and... yes we rested our sore butts again (there is a theme here). You definitely have opportunities to take picture when your ass is killing you and you need to rest it. Hhhmmm wonder if I can get that massaged... That may be for a different kind of website LOL.
Check out the views here
Check out the views here
If you want to see more pics of our trips then check out our Flickr site at the top of the page or just click here.
Thanks!
Shayne and Benjilynn signing off for now...
Thanks!
Shayne and Benjilynn signing off for now...