|
Crazy Motorbike Trip to Pai |
||
| Northern Thailand, Thailand Driving (Car or Motorcycle) No Comment |
Northern Thailand is beautiful with its many mountains, valleys, rivers, and forests, and rice fields dotting the land. The most popular way for visitors to see Thailand is by bus. I see buses everywhere, from the large plush tour buses to the pint size mini-buses, whipping past me while cruising through town on my motorbike.
Last month I proposed a crazy idea to my friends. I had been cooped up in Chiang Mai busy with work and I needed some adventure in my life. I had spent too much time in the city and I needed to get out. In short, a vacation would be just the right medicine to release my pent up frustration. My friends and I had long discussed going to Mae Hong Son, one of the most naturally beautiful provinces in northern Thailand that shares a boarder with Burma, to visit the city Pai, and other well known destinations. One night, we all decided the time was ripe to travel, and we then put the planning process into motion. Well, we knew we wanted to go to Mae Hong Son, but the only question that remained: How do we get there?
Don’t get me wrong here, buses are great, but the last thing I wanted at this point was to be stuffed in a bus for hours on end. So, instead, I proposed we travel by motorcycle. At first, blank faces, then jaw dropping, and finally, a host of hostile responses: Are you crazy, do you know how long it will take by motorcycle. I don’t know man, the road to Mae Hong Son is like a roller coaster, and do you think it will be safe? All we have are these small 100cc motorbikes; do you really think they can make it through the mountains? How will we manage to fit our luggage? These were all valid concerns, and my opinion comprises most of the negative aspects of motorcycle travel. I tried hard to convince the whole group, but in the end, we divided into two camps: the busers and the bikers.
Well, the trip was a success. We rode long and hard. Traveling by motorcycle isn’t for the faint of heart; it is very draining physically and is quite a challenge. In the end it fulfilled my craving for freedom and adventure. Though tired physically and mentally, I felt a nice warm sense of accomplishment after completing the journey. The above paragraph describes some downsides of traveling by motorcycle. I will end this by telling you the positives.
Convenience:
Having the bikes turned out to be a blessing. We chose to travel on a Thai holiday, so when we got to Pai, all of the hotel rooms were booked up. We ended up finding a nice place to stay about 8 km out of town that would have been impossible without the bikes.
Freedom:
There are many things to see along the way that you cannot do if you take a bus. We stopped many times along the road to take pictures and absorb the awesome natural landscape. We also made a nice detour to Tham Lot, the largest cave in Thailand, a definite must see if you have any interests in caves. Feeling the cool mountain breeze and breathing in the crisp morning air as you glide through the mountain passes is a definite plus.
Adventure:
Traveling by motorcycle is really traveling. It is a much more intimate experience than an air conditioned bus. You get to see every inch of the road. Some of the road through the mountains is not a cakewalk, but if you are cautious you will not have any problems. Climbing and descending a mountain is thoroughly exciting and you feel a nice sense of accomplishment afterwards.
If you are interested in traveling through Thailand by motorcycle, then there probably isn’t an easier place to do it. Acquiring a motorcycle is simple in Thailand; all you need is a little bit of money (200 Bt. per day for the most basic motorcycle) and a passport to rent a bike. I’m already planning my next trip. Hope to see you on the road.
