LTF MR2 (7-15 August 2017), Day 4 : God's Window at Mekong Canyon

Wat Pa Tak Sua, sky bridge

Baan Mae Rim Nam, by the Mekong River

Baan Mae Rim Nam, our stay

View from the hotel

Riverside

Leaving Nong Khai, monks collecting alms

The resident dog was not too happy when we intrude into his territory

Waiting to regroup after the first climb

Second successful climb!

Sky Bridge

Sky Bridge

Dinner at Chontara

Sangkhom Riverview

Sangkhom Riverview

Sangkhom Riverview

 

Today was officially our first day in Thailand. Even though we had flown into Bangkok 3 days earlier, it was just a mere transit to Vientiane. Until now, we have yet to immerse ourselves in Thai cultures.

With this in mind, Alvin decided to start us off on the right tracks.... a Khao Tum breakfast of rice porridge, usually garnished with shredded ginger, garlic oil and celery leaves. The Chinese version replaces celery leaves with spring onions instead.

Unfortunately, Lady Luck was not with us this morning as the Khao Tum shop previously visited by our LTF Chief was not opened. We had to settle for braised pig trotter with rice while the faint hearted went for noodles instead! 

Leaving Nong Khai was easy!!! We cruised out of town, weaving past the town's hospital and shops trading in traditional wares and skills. Within minutes, we had hit the junction to Highway 242.

Eager to turn right, Claudine's chain dropped as she came up the slope. This was probably a last show of fury by the Ice Queen!!!

Mastering the art of handling chain drops by now, the team were soon riding again. We crossed Highway AH12, going under the flyover that leads to the Friendship Bridge. Many of us were oblivious to this as we were traveling on ground level with no aerial visions. Later, we spotted Nong Khai's old train station, looking forlorn and deserted.

We had a water stop midway to Thabo. Stopping under a shady tree, next to a market and with a temple opposite us, the street was surprisingly quiet on a Thursday morning.

After a quick quenching of thirst, we continued our journey. All this while, we were mostly riding on flat terrain and on rural roads with zero road shoulders.

Almost reaching Thabo, heavy road construction works were ongoing. The road was strewn with laterite soil that stirred up into clouds of dust whenever a vehicle screams past. Thankfully, we suffered minimal lung congestion as Alvin wisely steered away from the roadworks at the first opportunity, leading us to a delightful cafe in town!

Kooks Cafe with tasteful interior designs serves great Cha Ron on a hot mid morning. Their excellent service extends to the glass water dispensers that mete out iced cold water to its customers.

We spent a long time in Kooks, happy to escape the scorching sun. Some of us even thanked those who needed to use the toilet silently. The lavatory queue benefited us with extra rest time!

Finally, it was time to take leave. Stepping out, we made a peculiar observation. Kooks, sandwiched in between the old shophouses was a jewel that stood out amongst the old trades!

Approaching Si Chiangmai, we made a stop at a petrol station with a 7 Eleven. By then, we had clocked close to 50 clicks. More than half the journey done, we were all very relaxed, taking a longer stop than necessary.

KC and George hooked up with "Wayne Gardner" a super bike tourer who was curios with our entourage. VT was munching on microwaved corn and at the same time, discovered a new favourite desert; black glutinous rice in coconut cream!

Then, one by one, the stomachs began to strike. It started with Sue and then, Pete!!! While Sue had a hard time depositing, Pete was trying to hold down a tiny twister in him!!!!

Waiting patiently through the natural disaster, we were about to leave when Carolen had a bike problem! Her chain guard was bent in during air and train travel, rubbing slightly on the chain!!! George and KC had to go to her rescue!

On the move again, we finally hit the small town of Si Chiangmai but to Alvin's dismay, the intended lunch stop was not opened. Coming to Tesco-Lotus, a supermarket chain, we quickly U-turned out of the empty parking lot as it does not offer any food.

Cruising on the fringes of the town, we came upon a strange set up. A beautiful double storied "office", just next to a smaller shop offering fried rice, Pad Thai and Pho.

Alvin decided to make the stop even though we had travelled not more than 4 km from our earlier stop. We were going into the mountains soon and we can't go hungry!

Stop we did and another lengthy one as well. When we did hit the road again, we were surprised there were a few more eateries further down the road, but one can never tell what lies ahead!!!!

After the first climb!

Climbing up the mountain range, the real hills began. We were literally cutting through rubber estates, traveling on narrow trunk roads that hugged the hill slopes.

The plantations here are managed efficiently and economically. Optimum spacing of rubber trees, planted in alternate rows with tapioca plants ensures a steady food source for the farmers. On lower lands, small patches of paddy plots replaces the tuber as staple.

Once we crossed the mountain range, we began our descent. This time, we caught glimpses of the Mekong River.

On flats and at the foothills, we came upon a stall by the side of the road. Only one couple was dining at that time, probably past lunch hour. As for us, our stomachs were still filled with Pad Thai and fried rice from earlier on.

Hoping to get some cold drinks, the stall only had ice and water, both dispensed from eski containers. We helped ourselves to both, meaning to pay for them later but were overwhelmed when the stall owner refused payment! We were so touched by their sincerity, we insisted on a tip, all the same.

On the move once more, we were shocked when the climbs began all over again. This time, another mountain range awaits!

Climbing yet another slope half an hour later, we were welcomed by the sound of gushing water coming from behind a provincial school. Reaching the top of the hill, the road widens to make way for stalls and tour buses. A picnic spot by the river, Tharn Thong waterfalls was one of the main attractions here.

Coming down the slope, the road forked into 2 with the left one leading back to Nong Khai and Wat Pa Tak Sua, a famous temple in Sangkhom. A popular place of worship with the Buddhists, the non believers patronize it for the glass bridge that overlooks the Mekong canyon.

Taking the right fork, the road immediately dipped to a bridge below. Cruising slowly downhill, Claudine spotted a picnic area and immediately called for a photo stop. Everyone in her group stopped by the bridge but did not venture further. Emerging out from the river banks, Claudine was surprised she was the only one left!

On her own, she tried to catch up with the rest but was immediately met with a steep climb that left her winded. Racing ahead, the undulating hills continued, this time rewarding her with occasional glimpses of the river. There were at least 2 signboards pointing to scenic areas but all these had to be abandoned as catching up with the group was more essential.

She whizzed past the mounds of sand from dredging works...

She returned the motivating honks of the superbikers with a friendly wave. Possibly Wayne Gardner was amongst them...

After half an hour of sustaining the body through on/off anaerobic workout, she finally caught glimpses of the team as they come into town. By then, everyone had slowed down and veered right into Sangkhom Riverview, our stay for the night.

While we were all feeling victorious having clocked 88 km on our tiny bikes, a concerned Celia refused to celebrate with beer and soft drinks. Instead, she sat under the sun, in wait for the back riders. Even Sue, who brought a cold beer over to her finally gave up and returned to the cooler side of the hotel.

When the second team finally rolled in, we found out they had made a detour to Wat Pa Tak Sua....well perhaps only 1 km into the journey....before Pete decided everyone should turn back and return with a tuk tuk instead!!! Of course, that was after he checked with Mr Google and discovered they have steered off course from Sangkhom Riverview!

We were all assigned our rooms and met again an hour later for our short trip to Wat Pa Tak Sua. The short ride in the rented tuk-tuk felt precariously dangerous. With most of us bundled into the cargo area without seat belts, the driver was zipping through the country road at high speed, rolling over potholes without slowing down while taking on sharp bends at suicide speed!

Wat Pa Tak Sua at evening time was quiet. There were no huge crowds thronging the sky bridge. As in most temples in Thailand, they sold gold dust in amulet bottles, "gold" leaf with inscriptions and other charms.

We soon returned to our hotel as none of us were religious enough to go beyond the temple doors. Despite that, we do believe in GOD. The proof is in HIS creation which was laid before our eyes at the Mekong Canyon.

That evening, we took our bikes out for dinner at Chontara Grand Riverview Resort. We were in a celebratory mood ordering 2 large fried fish in Thai style and many other dishes but were surprised the bill came up to only RM200+!

After dinner, we went looking for a coffee place and were disappointed the cafe next to our hotel was closed from business as early as 8.30 pm. Even though the sign by the door says 9.00 pm, they still turned 9 riders away! What a laid back mentality!!! The Roscoes must have smirked when they heard us returning to the hotel for they had made the wise decision to skip coffee.

That night, Claudine and VT were upgraded to the presidential suite as the air conditioning in their chalet was not working. It was a huge room with a king sized mattress laid over an oversized bed made out of glass bricks. First impressions were good until they lay on the bed and smelt the soiled comforter! Most probably slept in by the staff???


Photo Credits :
KC 

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Sangkhom Riverview