Mae Hong Son Moto Madness

Boy was it a mission to get a moto for our planned trip around the Mae Hong Son province northern Thailand. The terms and conditions on insurance are crazy here, they expect you to pay ‘half the bikes cost’ which is over 50,000 (NZ about 2500) if it gets stolen. In the end though we gave in and hit the road on 125cc bike we named Mario (the moto). The lady hiring was shocked to here we were heading that far at this time of year (after another lady at a different shop also tried to convince us not hire a bike and to make a bus!)... it seems there are a lot of accidents from foreigners taking this journey.

Breakfast on the road

Heading north out of Chang Mai we weren’t sure what to expect on this trip. The last one through Laos had been relatively easy to find food and accommodation (considering the amazing remoteness of the locations) and the roads were hard going a lot of the time. Day one we headed towards Pai. On this leg we expected great roads and a good ride full of beautiful scenery (as Tom had done a day trip out there when he was in Chang Mai). We weren’t disappointed. Pai, although bagged on in the lonely planet is a nice town it’s self. Set in low mountains and host to some semi decent food and great hotels. The rain set in as we arrived. So we decided not to head on to Mae Hong Son town but to stay there for the night instead. Making to a relaxing afternoon inside.

Day two was a later start as we planned on only going a couple more hours riding to Mae Hong Son for the night. The weather had cleared, allowing us to enjoy a quick breakfast from 7 eleven (time and money saving). The views along the way were even more spectacular than the day before. Twisting in between and high into the mountains closing in on the Thailand/Myanmar border. We were disappointed with the town it self so decided to head on into un known territory for the night (where we were no long sure if there would be accommodation or not).  The rain set in again on us about half way to Kuan Yuan. Drenched but happy we found a hostel once we arrived that conveniently sold all the important requirements for the evening. Food and beer. Oh, and a hot shower. 

Imagine eating dinner (super hot Thai style food) and seeing a guy and a girl go past on a moto. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? Until I noticed the guy was in a hospital gown and holding an IV bag. Strange. I think this may have been the same day we saw a scorpion on the road. Only the second one I have seen on my whole trip.

Somewhere along the way I got bitten something insane up my arm and hand. They ran only on the one arm and along in a line. We concluded bed bugs. 

The third day we had a lot of k’s to cover to get back to Chang Mai so headed off nice and early. An early lunch in a small village, some good advice from the friendly owner, a coffee,  a freezing lady on a moto in the rain, a waterfall and an overflowing Hulix packed with people yelling hello and by 5pm we were back in Chang Mai for some shopping before our flight to Phuket.

I forgot to mention. We rode to the top of Thailand's highest mountain, just over 2500 metres. It was FREEZING at the top. But an awesome thing to say we have done.

As you can probably tell I am not at my best while writing this, so off for an early night.