Thanks for sharing your impressions. Good luck.

The last time I went up to Mae Salong in 2012 was all of 300m to a crest where I saw the climbs. I sheepishly backtracked to the checkpoint and songtheaw station, hopped into one and was in the mountains in 40 mins. It's a beautiful spot though. Cool air, KMT village on a ridgeline, hill tribes, tea plantations and a rolling downhill west to Mae Chan and Chiang Rai

I know, Chris! That´s exactly what the commander of the post told me. No way for me at that stage but definitely remains on my list. Looked too appealing up there....

If you had gone up to Mae Salong from the police checkpoint, the climbs would be 3 times as tough !

Lisu tribepeople

Thank you Bruce! I guess you will be crossing over into Mae Sot, and then? Up North along the Mae Hong Son Loop? However, you will have the legs to do it after your weeks in Myanmar. I look forward to my few rest days at the end of the week and read through your first days. Enjoy Myanmar - I haven´t done the North on my bike yet but my recent visit to Mandalays, Bagan, Innwa and Sagaing was just breathtaking

I had your (and Andrea´s recommendation in my all the way but the terrain was difficult enought to me as it is right now. Probably some other day.... And having done the 75 km north of Fang now I am glad I backed off from an even more challenging route

Just by looking at your photos, Frankie, I can see how much you love Thailand. I share your love for the amazing place and its people. Also, reading your journal has me longing for Thailand. I can't wait to cross over from Myanmar although I'm also looking forward to our adventure here first. Then we will really be ready for Thailand's luxuries.

I love the "personal" aspect of northern Thai temples. The rooflines come down to meet the people, some of them so low you have to stoop if you are to enter from the sides. This is done intentionally to bring the religion down to earth for the people and this sort of personal touch pervades the entire north of Thailand in all aspects of life.

Very different from the soaring, impersonal, aspect of Bangkok temples.

This must be a fairly new thing since I have never experienced it except at the very biggest temples. In my opinion, this is a terrible thing.

Ban Arunothai is somewhere beyond those mountains. So is Doi Ang Kang. A 60 km ride took us the whole day.

Dodie, to be honest: I only tried it because it was available for free and to satisfy my curiosity. What I did notice: After 5 minutes in there I walked back to one of the hot pools and the feet did initially hurt like little wounds. I guess the fish do actually bite you. But apart from that my feet still look the same to me....

Very nice place with quaint gardens. Stayed more than a few times.

Thank you, Karen. Feels good too!

I (Dodie) have always wondered about these fish pedicures. Still not sure if I would do it.