The Joys of Nature part 1: Sights to be Seen @ Somewhere in Northern Thailand

We went to sleep in our passion fruit farm guesthouse to the gentle swish of a nearby stream and a cool, fragrant breeze drifting through our open window. This was the kind of glamping we could get behind. We slept great. By morning we were rejuvenated and ready for some sight seeing. We wished the green passion fruits a swift ripening, bungeed our backpacks to the bikes, and set off.

We were eager to see what the day would bring. Adam commented “I don’t see how the riding could possibly get any better.” Spoiler, it got better.

For the next two days we’d gleefully lean our bikes and rev our engines through the lush mountain range. Almost never a straight road nor a dull moment. Periodically the canopy would thin just enough to reveal a glimpse of a spectacular vista. We’d constantly remind ourselves to keep our eyes on the road, as we fought the urge to look at the scenery. When our bodies began to feel fatigued there was always another interesting stop to stretch our legs and take some pictures.

After a morning of riding, it was time to refuel (the bikes, not Adam). We rolled up to what Google Maps told us was a gas station. We started to poke our heads around when a couple of locals saw our confusion. They gestured to get our attention, pointing animatedly to an odd shack behind us. We turned around and a lady walked up to a series of oil drums with large graduated cylinders on top. She turned a crank and gasoline spewed upwards into the cylinder. Once it was full she handed Adam a rubber tube, turned a knob and all the fuel poured out into the gas tank.

Leaving the mountainside sunflower fields (Mexican sunflowers not the common sunflower with the big seeds) concluded another perfect day of riding. It was time for us to find a place to sleep. We continued our way north, hoping to find an open glamping spot, similar to what we had in Doi Inthanon.

It began to rain, so intrepid navigator Adam started to pulled over, but Helen waved us on. “No way out but through,” she said, quoting our fantasy audiobook. Soon the rain stopped but the road narrowed until we were riding on little more than a bicycle path. To make things crazier there were steep elevation changes and tight switchback turns that tested our tired bodies.

Eventually we rounded the corner of our turn-off and found ourselves on a dirt road. Panic set in a bit as we recalled the Doi Inthanon off-roading situation. We decided to go back to the paved road to see if it would take us through to the highway. The road opened up to a serene lake. And what do you know? There was a small village with three guesthouse-looking cabins right along the bank. We walked up to a lady who seemed to be in charge. Using Google translate, we asked if they had a room available. Unfortunately, they were fully booked.

We slumped back on our bikes ready to ride another hour to the nearest town, praying for pavement. Then, right as we were starting our engines, the lady came running back toward us jabbering something in Thai. At the same, well-fortuned time, a group of Thai motorcyclists parked their bikes to admire the lake. One of them (our new friend Kevin) was kind enough to act as a translator.

“She’s saying that she has a tent and sleeping pad you can use.” Kevin translated

We looked at each other, “Should we do it?” Adam asked.

“I’m not sure, do you think it’ll be comfortable?” Helen responded.

“I think it’ll be an experience...”

“I’m willing to do it.”

“How much?” Adam asked the lady.

“500 Baht [$14.59]”

So that’s how we ended up sleeping here:

The rest of the story is to be continued….