Thoeng – Phayao - 101 kilometres
December is a wonderful time of year to cycle in Northern Thailand.
The weather was perfect—warm during the day with no rain and
much more manageable humidity compared to April and May. The
pleasant conditions made camping comfortable. The landscape
remained lush and green, with dense forests covering the
mountainsides and hills.
Our route took us past numerous temples and stupas, adorned with
thousands of Thai, Buddhist, and royal flags decorating every
conceivable building. Since about 95% of the population is Buddhist,
the yellow Buddhist flag was visible almost everywhere.
Markets lined the road, offering a wide variety of goods. I couldn’t
resist buying a hammock, as being in Thailand without one feels
incomplete.
Around midday, a street vendor served us delicious bowls of noodle
soup, providing enough energy to continue until it was time to set up
camp. With Buddhist monasteries and temples all around, there was
no shortage of camping spots. The temple grounds were generally
spacious, and we always sought permission before setting up our
tents. Ernest prepared a delightful dish of noodles and vegetables
cooked in coconut cream and chillies.