Phayao - Rong Kwang - 122 kilometres
By the time we were ready to go, the sun was already high in the sky.
After bidding farewell to the monks, the journey to Rong Kwang
turned into another picturesque ride. Each high point along the way
was adorned with a Buddhist temple; some were just shrines, while
others included statues and all the necessary decorations and
offerings. It's customary for vehicles to honk as they pass these sites,
which makes these places unsuitable for camping.
Our ride ended after cycling 122 kilometres when we spotted a petrol
station with a grassy area at the back. We soon realised that this was
a common practice, as more than one vehicle had pulled in to stay
overnight. For dinner, we again had instant noodles, this time
enhanced with fresh vegetables to add flavour and make the meal
more substantial.
Rong Kwang - Uttaradit - 101 kilometres
During the dry season in Northern Thailand, nearly all farmers were
busy harvesting rice, primarily by hand, which is an extremely
labour-intensive job. It also seemed that wood was still widely used,
although it was becoming too expensive for most of the population.
Nevertheless, beautiful wooden houses, temples, and intricate
wooden furniture could still be found in various places. I came across
workshops that offered exquisite wood carvings, and I even spotted a
massive table made from a solid piece of wood.
The hilly route we travelled was a breeze compared to the
mountainous terrain of China, and we navigated the hills without
breaking a sweat. There was always plenty of food available at the
scenic spots, and Ernest couldn't resist trying meaty snacks.