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| Half-day on Doi Pui / 31-Jan-09 |
| I recently bought a 2nd-hand Suzuki "Smash" motorbike - something cheap to clunk around the mountains - and took her up the back way to Doi Pui. Easy two hour ride. |
| Starting out at Huay Tung Tao lake about 15km north of Chiang Mai |
| The sign says "Armyzone No Admittance" but my route goes slightly around it. |
| There is a checkpoint with a boom gate, but usually no one here - just barking dogs. |
| The track strats to climb right away, but very easy riding, nice forest. |
| Scenic rice terraces a different color each time I'm here - green/yellow/brown |
| Near the top is the side-road to Ban Chang Khian - a Hmong hilltribe village. |
| I arrived in time to see two dogs, er um, playing. |
| Of course there is a small market stall selling their handycrafts. |
| I bought a 100 baht pillow case and got a free picture. Yim nit noi! |
| More climbing in the nice shady forest. Good day out. |
| Quick stop at the Chang Kian Highland Research Station (botanical gardens). |
| Next stop the coffee plantation run by Chiang Mai Uni and the Hmong folks |
| Just above the coffee plantation is the Doi Pui campground. |
| I smell Arabica beans! |
| The roadside is littered with fallen blossems from a few weeks ago when the all the trees were pink. |
| Near the summit with good sealed road |
| In front of the Phuping Palace and botanical gardens. |
| City view below Doi Suthep, unfortunately time to go home. |
| Entrance to Doi Suthep temple. Paw laew grap ban! |
| The leopard-spotted seat cover is optional. |
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| Lots of fist-size rocks in some places - no problem |
| When you see the sign turn left to Doi Pui summit. |