Continued from:
www.gt-rider.com
After Dan Sai and the Phi Ta Khon colour extravaganza, we were back on the road, with a few quick overnight stops along the way.
1. Loei.
2. Chumpae.
3. Wichian Buri.
Loei has always been my favourite little town because of its relaxing ambience and fresh air.
The King's Hotel is an old favourite for value-for-money accommodation. There are also a few excellent little pubs and restaurants to enjoy.
Outlaw Brewing and Bottom Bar are the pubs, and Phu Loei Coffee is an interesting spot to start the day for breakfast.
www.gt-rider.com
Loei was also a convenient spot to catch up on laundry.
Chumpae
Chumpae is a popular & convenient town for riders from the North heading to/from MotoGP.
The Tummi GH is a GTR favourite for accommodation.
For music and a few bevvies, the vivacious Ms Dada runs the Number One Pub & Restaurant, the favourite GTR.
But the main reason for stopping in Chumpae this trip was to hook up with Wayne66 and check out his cool biker cafe, Capell Coffee.
maps.app.goo.gl
It had been a few months since we last met, so it was time for a ceremonial Jameson's and coffee.
An enjoyable festive evening followed at Number One Bar with Ms Dada supervising.
Wichian Buri was the next stop to catch up with another old mate, Shawn & his missus Pare, whom I've known since my early times in Chiang Mai with the Library Service book exchange 30 years ago.
Shawn was a dedicated Ducati rider in Oz then, and now he still rides one, but in Wichian Buri.
Two nights in Wichian Buri and an inspection of Shawn and Pare's farm convinced me they'd found their patch of paradise out in the fresh, clean countryside. A self-sufficient lifestyle definitely has benefits and may be the way to go for many people.
The Fame Craft Beer Pub was a genuinely cool place to hang out for a night and exchange a few tales of years gone by.
Food was not an issue, especially at a little gem of a place like the Kesorn Cafe, with a Farang-trained chef who has worked in 5-star hotels in Bkk.
Fresh bread, croissants & a decent Farang brekky.
The inspection of Shawn's 30 rai farm was also an eye-opener about how well you can do it.
Solar power, fast internet, fish ponds, vege gardens, fruit trees, chickens for eggs ++
Their property canals.
The massive living room & TV for watching MotoGP.
www.gt-rider.com
www.gt-rider.com
Hanging out in Chumpae and Wichian Buri enlightened me to how many farang there are out there, comfortably living with their Thai spouses and families in quiet rural communities. They have well and truly adapted to a more relaxed, low-stress, slow-paced lifestyle. They should be commended.
Chiang Khong – Lower Esarn Meander July 2024. Part 8 - Dan Sai Phi Ta Khon Festival 2024 III
Phi Ta Khon - the parade & ghosts. The trick to getting parade & ghost pics is often easier if you hang out at the start of the parade before it kicks off. For the main parade the start is in town near the police station. A hard working young fellah making money for his family at the...

After Dan Sai and the Phi Ta Khon colour extravaganza, we were back on the road, with a few quick overnight stops along the way.
1. Loei.
2. Chumpae.
3. Wichian Buri.
Loei has always been my favourite little town because of its relaxing ambience and fresh air.
The King's Hotel is an old favourite for value-for-money accommodation. There are also a few excellent little pubs and restaurants to enjoy.
Outlaw Brewing and Bottom Bar are the pubs, and Phu Loei Coffee is an interesting spot to start the day for breakfast.
Loei Restaurants.
Coffee Bar. Great coffee, toasted sandwiches and cakes. Also free wifi. Over looks the lake in the centre of Loei, you cant miss it. GPS N17 29.178 E101 43.693 Moto-Rex

Chumpae
Chumpae is a popular & convenient town for riders from the North heading to/from MotoGP.
The Tummi GH is a GTR favourite for accommodation.
For music and a few bevvies, the vivacious Ms Dada runs the Number One Pub & Restaurant, the favourite GTR.
But the main reason for stopping in Chumpae this trip was to hook up with Wayne66 and check out his cool biker cafe, Capell Coffee.
Capell Coffee · 262 หมู๠1 à¸à¹à¸²à¸à¹à¸à¸à¸à¸¹à¸ Non Khun, Khon San District, Chaiyaphum 36180, Thailand
âââââ · Coffee shop
It had been a few months since we last met, so it was time for a ceremonial Jameson's and coffee.
An enjoyable festive evening followed at Number One Bar with Ms Dada supervising.
Wichian Buri was the next stop to catch up with another old mate, Shawn & his missus Pare, whom I've known since my early times in Chiang Mai with the Library Service book exchange 30 years ago.
Shawn was a dedicated Ducati rider in Oz then, and now he still rides one, but in Wichian Buri.
Two nights in Wichian Buri and an inspection of Shawn and Pare's farm convinced me they'd found their patch of paradise out in the fresh, clean countryside. A self-sufficient lifestyle definitely has benefits and may be the way to go for many people.
The Fame Craft Beer Pub was a genuinely cool place to hang out for a night and exchange a few tales of years gone by.
Food was not an issue, especially at a little gem of a place like the Kesorn Cafe, with a Farang-trained chef who has worked in 5-star hotels in Bkk.
Fresh bread, croissants & a decent Farang brekky.
The inspection of Shawn's 30 rai farm was also an eye-opener about how well you can do it.
Solar power, fast internet, fish ponds, vege gardens, fruit trees, chickens for eggs ++
Their property canals.
The massive living room & TV for watching MotoGP.
Wichian Buri Accommodation
Sweet Area Resort. The best digs in town, 3 price levels 60 baht. Aussie owned with good English spoken. Undercover parking. Small, functional clean 600 baht rooms. Damn hot on arrival out in the sun though! Other bungalows An onsite aircon coffeeshop to hit asap, while you...

Wichian Buri Restaurants
Ton Nam A sizeable open air / air restaurant offering both Thai & farang food. Needless to say I was impressed. Just a bit sweet, but otherwise quite acceptable, something I certainly wasn't expecting in Wichian Buri of all places. https://maps.app.goo.gl/zo3sU5HzVgCm9g8H6

Hanging out in Chumpae and Wichian Buri enlightened me to how many farang there are out there, comfortably living with their Thai spouses and families in quiet rural communities. They have well and truly adapted to a more relaxed, low-stress, slow-paced lifestyle. They should be commended.
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