It's time for another ride to Luang Prabang to catch up with friends and continue searching for a one-year multiple-entry visa.
It was a lazy start from Chiang Khong in the early afternoon with Pua as the planned destination for the night.
Chiang Khong - Pua = 231 kms via R1020 / 1021 / 1148 / 101.
I was not in a rush, as I knew I would be in Pua well before dark; it was a gentle ride.
Ex Chiang Khong at 12.40PM.
Arrival in Pua at 5.30PM.
The first stop for a late brunch was the Carrot in Chiang Kham, then onto 1148 and a bit of the old warmth and haze.
There was no stop at Magic Mountain for a cuppa or a photo due the less than optimal conditions.
The first photo stop was near Sakoen in 1148 for a few traditional snaps of the Sakoen karsts.
Further on, up and over the mountain ridgeline separating Phayao and Nan provinces, was a second stop in tiny litle hamlet of PhaLak.
Its a year since Ive been in Pha Lak, and wow, I noticed this little pit stop town is booming.
The new Rim Nam Coffee was the place to be for me, since the 1148 coffee has closed.
www.gt-rider.com
1.5 hrs later, after a glorious swooping ride down R1148 & R101, I reached Pua City.
Pua has become part of the amazing Nan tourism boom, although some locals claim that Pua is not so busy anymore as Bo Klua and Saphan have taken over as the new fashion destinations to be. Watch out for a new GTR Nan Loop guide map coming in the next few months.
The earlier boom in Pua pushed accommodation prices up, and with the old GTR fellah having a preferred budget cap of 600 baht, its not so easy getting what I consider to be value-for-money accommodation. I've noted the last few years that Bangkok Thais will pay more for accommodation than us poor retired farang expats, and they don't bargain on the prices! The Chomphu Phukha used to be my preferred place of stay in Pua, but they jacked the prices up with no room improvements, so I moved, and the Sarangoon is my preferred cheap Charlie value-for-money place to stay at 400 baht a night, with aircon, hot water, and secure undercover parking.
www.gt-rider.com
A lengthy power nap on arrival saw me out a bit late to eat at my preferred restaurant, which had already closed.
La Cuisine was the desired but closed restaurant.
A few hundred metres later, I settled for the MN Store mini mart & booze shop.
They have a nice little choice of hooch, plus a cool seating area outside for some ma la BBQ and the super friendly locals chatting.
I joined them for a beer and some BBQ to kill for 45 minutes.
www.gt-rider.com
Briefly satiated at the MN Store, it was time to hit the Pua goldmine, known as Seeds Pub.
This place has been hugely popular in Pua, with great bands, service, singers, and always a good night out.
Don't miss it if you're spending a night in Pua!
The Seeds Singers
Ms Emmy & the old GTR Fellah.
Emmy I have known for 14 years since she first started singing and playing the guitar at the Nan Riverside Pub by the prison in downtown Nan.
She's got a great personality, and a beautiful voice, and still loves to sing and entertain people.
Emmy has not lost the fire for being an artist, despite being a mum now and having curfew hours from hubby when she must be home by. No more late-night partying after work.
It was a lazy start from Chiang Khong in the early afternoon with Pua as the planned destination for the night.
Chiang Khong - Pua = 231 kms via R1020 / 1021 / 1148 / 101.
I was not in a rush, as I knew I would be in Pua well before dark; it was a gentle ride.
Ex Chiang Khong at 12.40PM.
Arrival in Pua at 5.30PM.
The first stop for a late brunch was the Carrot in Chiang Kham, then onto 1148 and a bit of the old warmth and haze.
There was no stop at Magic Mountain for a cuppa or a photo due the less than optimal conditions.
The first photo stop was near Sakoen in 1148 for a few traditional snaps of the Sakoen karsts.
Further on, up and over the mountain ridgeline separating Phayao and Nan provinces, was a second stop in tiny litle hamlet of PhaLak.
Its a year since Ive been in Pha Lak, and wow, I noticed this little pit stop town is booming.
The new Rim Nam Coffee was the place to be for me, since the 1148 coffee has closed.
R1148
The Rim Nam Coffee @ Pha Lak A relatively new place, directly opposite what used to the 1148 Cafe, which is now closed. The setting beside the stream is sweet, & it is nice to take another break here for a ride on 1148. They also have a few rooms for rent, streamside, starting at...
www.gt-rider.com
1.5 hrs later, after a glorious swooping ride down R1148 & R101, I reached Pua City.
Pua has become part of the amazing Nan tourism boom, although some locals claim that Pua is not so busy anymore as Bo Klua and Saphan have taken over as the new fashion destinations to be. Watch out for a new GTR Nan Loop guide map coming in the next few months.
The earlier boom in Pua pushed accommodation prices up, and with the old GTR fellah having a preferred budget cap of 600 baht, its not so easy getting what I consider to be value-for-money accommodation. I've noted the last few years that Bangkok Thais will pay more for accommodation than us poor retired farang expats, and they don't bargain on the prices! The Chomphu Phukha used to be my preferred place of stay in Pua, but they jacked the prices up with no room improvements, so I moved, and the Sarangoon is my preferred cheap Charlie value-for-money place to stay at 400 baht a night, with aircon, hot water, and secure undercover parking.
Pua Accommodation
Papua Bhuka Hotel 141 Pua-Namyua, Moo 4,Xilalang, Pua, Nan Tel. 0-2164-1001 to 6, 0-2164-1008 Standart room: 800thb/night (may 2009) http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/Nort ... /index.htm Photos: Lasse's Paradise www.saunalahti.fi/lassek1/
www.gt-rider.com
A lengthy power nap on arrival saw me out a bit late to eat at my preferred restaurant, which had already closed.
La Cuisine was the desired but closed restaurant.
A few hundred metres later, I settled for the MN Store mini mart & booze shop.
They have a nice little choice of hooch, plus a cool seating area outside for some ma la BBQ and the super friendly locals chatting.
I joined them for a beer and some BBQ to kill for 45 minutes.
Pua Restaurants
SEEDS Pub a new open air pub with an aircon coffeeshop + live music + giant TV screen. The aircon coffeeshop The open air pub - beer garden with big TV screen Seeds Live Music Seeds GTR beer drinking food Seeds outstanding service All recommended, check em out sometime.
www.gt-rider.com
Briefly satiated at the MN Store, it was time to hit the Pua goldmine, known as Seeds Pub.
This place has been hugely popular in Pua, with great bands, service, singers, and always a good night out.
Don't miss it if you're spending a night in Pua!
The Seeds Singers
Ms Emmy & the old GTR Fellah.
Emmy I have known for 14 years since she first started singing and playing the guitar at the Nan Riverside Pub by the prison in downtown Nan.
She's got a great personality, and a beautiful voice, and still loves to sing and entertain people.
Emmy has not lost the fire for being an artist, despite being a mum now and having curfew hours from hubby when she must be home by. No more late-night partying after work.
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