Tuesday 14th July, 1998. We left the hotel at 07.30 hrs and had a long walk out of town (4 kms) on highway 106 which is the old road from Lamphun to Chiang Mai. A very pretty walk with little open countryside. We entered Chiang Mai province and immediately we saw “Amazing Tall Trees” on both sides of the road; just like in Phang-Nga. Each tree had a number and there were about 1,200 of them. They were magnificent and all the way to Chiang Mai. My friend Martin, who I saw off on his flight to Bangkok, who visited Andrew & me for Xmas 1997 in Hat Yai
http://www.escati.net/02/2006/09/walking-for-thailand-introduction
had stayed in Chiang Mai at “Ben Guest House” near the TAT and recommended it to me and gave me their business card. So we kept walking into town and found it close to the Mae Ping river in a cul-de-sac and away from the main road. They only had a double room available for 150 baht, This was the best deal of the walk, so far! I had heard so much about Chiang Mai and how beautiful it is and quite unique in Thailand, plus the northern hospitality and the name “Rose of the North” created images in my mind of a great place and I was excited to arrive. Plus it was another Primary Goal achieved in our 9,000 kms walk through 76 provinces. Even as we entered the outskirts of the town I noticed immediately that it was different to all the other provinces and capitals that we had walked through - 25 so far. It had an atmosphere and gave me a feeling of warmth and friendliness and I knew I was going to enjoy it tremendously.
We had walked 740 kms from Don Muang in Bangkok in 23 walking days. This is an average of 32 kms for each walking day. We were looking forward to a nice break & meeting all the locals and farang (Aliens) residents.
The owners and guests at ‘Ben Guest House’ were astonished that we had walked there and we had a great welcome. In the evening, we walked beside the river in the area of the guest house, planning to cross the bridge into town tomorrow. I studied a map given to me by Ben Guest House. Then we were asleep by 21.30 hrs, and dreaming of tomorrow.
http://www.escati.net/02/2006/02/chiang-mai-publications
Yours truly,
Escati Tiger Team Walking For Thailand.
{ 0 comments… add one now }