Taking Thailand by motorbike

I think yesterday was our favourite trip-day so far.... it took a little bit of nerve, but we finally hopped on a bright orange motorbike and explored a little on our own! There's no feeling like climbing a winding mountain road, feeling the air get cooler, stopping for a vista (and photos) every so often, and getting to the top to find a mountain temple straight out of a movie.

We've been loving Chiang Mai-- we got some serious deals at the night market, found a hidden parking-lot area of after-hours bars (complete with Thai bands covering Metallica), and I've finally (!) figured out how to tie up these hippie pants. But it wasn't till we hopped on our "Mio" that we were free...

Adrian quickly taught himself how to drive the thing, and with the best road test ever- Thai traffic! We got halfway up the mountain to Doi Suthep (the temple) and saw our gas tank was 1/4 full, headed down, filled the tank for $2, and took a deep breath and went back up. There were 300 (i think) steep steps to get up to the wat (or Wat Phra That Doi Suthep), and we were huffing and puffing by the time we got up to the peaceful sounds of bells and chirping birds. Incense and orchids everywhere, there were little waterfalls and old and young monks. Strange-looking pines and palm trees together in this strange and serene mountaintop... I think we just could have spent days up there....

... if there wasn't the prospect of getting to ride back down! Whee!

We came back to town, completely chilled and unscathed (except for our spicy dinner). We were very sad to take back our bike today ... but for now, we're relaxing (it's mid afternoon) and tomorrow we may head to a different set of mountains-- a hippie spot northwest of here called Pai. When we get too cold, we're heading to Cambodia. So much to see, so little time...
Cheers,
D & A