1/13 - 1/15 Chiang Mai

Well Chiang Mai wasn't what I expected. I really wanted more of a laid back mountain town, but it really turned out to be quite a large, loud busy city with a limited backpacker scene. Seems most people there chillout at their respective hostel and take classes during the day; there really isnt't much that stands out in the city until you really get just outside of it. The mountains were barely visible from our location, so we opted to explore them in search of the sights we were expecting. This of course is where the scooters come in. By now we had both honed our skills and moved on to more powerful semi-automatic rides to ascend the steep terrain.

We set our sites on Doi Inthanon, which from a quick glance at a tourist map, sounded like it was an hour to the peak, and would provide waterfalls, temples and great views from the highest peak in all of Thailand . Just over an hour after our start on the road, without a mountain beneath us, we began to question the accuracy of said map. Markers began to spring up and it turns out it was over an hour just to get to the bottom, park entrance of the mountain. We were already at the point of no return at 3 in the afternoon, so there was little question about going for it. Up we went. The ride was incrediblly thrilling with lush green surroundings and snaking roads. We stopped at a phenomenal waterfall, and for gas along the way at a hand pumped station located in a shack that we were directed to from locals along the road.

The road was 50km from the base to the top, but who's counting...

The top was clearly marked with a subtle sign on the side of the road, accompanied by a Neutron Monitor Research Center, and people playing soccer! Mission accomplished.

It was very cold at the top. We certainly weren't prepared for this, and never thought we would be freezing in Thailand. The way down at night would have been unbearable if it wasnt for the adrenaline coursing through my veins. We stopped at a modern temple just near the peak on the way back, and even at this point it was breathtaking:
The next stop was for coffee and a warm meal to get us through the rest of the ride.
The ride back was 2 hours to our hostel, and we were exhausted. Luckily for us, there was a traditional Thai massage just around the corner! We were directed to put on some big funny pants, and then continued on to be pounded and contorted. It was fantastic.

The night ended soon after as we both passed out early.