Thread: Mathos' trip from Chiang Mai to Laos

All of the properties I am showing were well below a hundred grand (GBP) some as low as fifty.















Ok back to the thread tomorrow.

Goodnight folk.

Right I've found this one too.

I'd better behave myself or there might be more splits.

OK Chiang Mai..

I'm just putting an opener on for the time being, then I don't get mixed up.

We did a great trip through the jungle canopies in January this year.

What a brilliant trip that was. There's an opener here of Flobo going off the first leg. Quite an achievement it was too.

We have some great photographs of this section of our trip to come.






More to follow in the next few days.

We had originally intended making our way to Luang Prabang in Laos to experience the jungle canopy living which we had been reading about for some weeks prior to leaving England.



The following information and attached photographs are taken from the

Contents adapted from publications by the National Tourism Authority of Lao PDR.




Luang Prabang is the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom. According to the Luang Prabang legend, the first name of Luang Parabang was Muang Swa, named after King Khun Xua around the eighth century, later known as Xieng Dong and Xieng Thong. During the reign of King Fa Ngum between 1354 and 1372 A.D., Xieng Dong, and Xieng Thong cities were renamed Luang Prabang in the name of the gold image of Buddha, the Phrabang.
Luang Prabang was the capital of the Lane xang kingdom from 1354 A.D. The capital was then transferred to Vientiane city in 1560 A.D. Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage, known as the seat of Lao culture, with monasteries, monuments traditional costumes and surrounded by many types of nature's beauty. Luang Prabang province has a total population of 365000.
The National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace.
Constructed as a palace between 1904 and 1909 A.D., during the reign of King Sisavangvong, now turned into a National Museum, it houses the Royal throne of Lan Xang kingdom in its original splendor, and many other regalia and religious treasures.
It is located on the bank of the Mekong River, facing Mount Phusi.
Situated on the bank of the Mekong River, on the wedge of land formed where the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers meet, Vat Xiengthong was constructed in 1559/1560 A.D. by king Say Setthathirath. Vat Xiengthong is the most beautiful among all monasteris of Luang Prabang and represents the typical Lao art style.
Many old and beautiful religious artifacts of the period between the sixteenth and the twentieth centuries, and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art, for a valuable collection of cultural heritage.
The spectacular Kouangsy Waterfall is located in an ideal area deep in the forest, away from human habitation. It is perfect for rest and relaxation. On the way to the falls, quaint villages with their traditional hydro-rice mills can be also visited.
The cool limestone caves are located on the steep rock cliff rising vertically from the waters of the Mekong River, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The craggy mountains scenery is breathtaking with overhanging cliffs above the swift flowing river.
The best attractions here are the two caves full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. The lower cave called Tham Ting, or Tham Leusi contains a hermit of Leusi statue. The other noteworthy cave is called Tham Theung (upper cave), or Tham Prakachay. The caves can be reached by a 2 hours boat trip, upstream from Luang Prabang.
Vat Mai, constructed in 1821 A.D., during the reign of king Manthatourath, was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy). The five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim is the traditional Luang Prabang style.
That Chomsi of Luang Prabang was constructed on top of the Phusi hill in 1804 A.D. during the reign of king Anurut. It is an impressive structure, fully renovated in 1994. It is a meaningful symbol as it stand in the center of the twon. At mid-slope, and at the foot of the hill, are several religious sites including caves, Buddha footprints, and templates. Drumming on top of Phusi was once a tradition of the Luang Prabang people. The sound of the drum, every three hours could be heard for miles around.
Ban Lu or Lu village of Ban Phanom, only 2.5 km from the center of Luang Prabang town is famous for cotton and silk weaving, and some beautifully hand-crafted souvenirs. The Lu people of Ban Phanom came originally from Sip Song Panna in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan, having been invited by King Kitsarath.
Vat Visoun was built between 1500/1520 during the reign of King Visounarat. The phrabang, the fine gold Buddha image, the religious symbol of the Kingdom, was enshrined here from 1504 to 1715 A.D., and from 1866 to 1874 A.D. In 1942, it was turned into a Museum of Religious Arts, and housed collections of Buddha images and religious artifacts from the fourteenth century. Within its precincts stands the gigantic That Makmo (watermelon stupa), originally known as That Patum or Lotus Stupa, constructed in 1503 A.D.

We had concern that without booking the experience we may well have difficulty in obtaining a slot into the canopy living and we would have been extremely dissapointed.

Also, we heard purely by accident that there was a recently opened Canopy Experience in the mountains around Chiang Mai.

Furthermore, we found out so much more about Laos that ignited a desire for spending longer in the country that we decided it may be better to consider a few weeks in the country on our next visit out East, instead of trying to cram all we desired to see in the few days we had allocated this time.

We used internet facilities in Laos and The Golden Triangle area of Thailand to confirm that what we had heard about the canopy experience in Thailand was factual and even managed to telephone through for 100% confrimation.

With this in mind it was an additional reason to return to Chiang Mai and 'head on over there'

Our taste buds for this sort of adventure having been stirred by Charlotte Uhlenbroek, who has had some brilliant jungle experience programmes on BBC television.

{She is well worth looking up on the internet}

OK (Stop meandering Mathos and get on with the story) we eventually made our way from Chiang Mai to the beautiful and rather unique village of Mae Kompong, time really appears to have stood still here.

As an aid to the interested residing or visiting the area the route from Chiang mai is very simple.

The village itself is only an hours drive or so from Chiang Mai.

Make your way to the Super highway from Tapae Gate and turn right. Take a left at the Big C Supermarket onto Highway 1317, Pass the tuirn off for The Hot Springs and at Ban Paem take a right to Ban Huey Geaw.

Well worth the trip just for the village and countryside, if you take a jaunt through the mile high canpoies you will be amazed.

The roads in the area are of this nature.






The landscape is truly panoramic throughout northern Thailand in general.




Would anybody else agree with me, that there is something not quite right about the appearance of this cat?






We did get lost once or twice on the way there, but the locals were very helpful in the area.

The area of Mae Kompong was originally a poppy growing area and home to many hilltribe villages. It is now simply a home to a very small community of forest dwellers who take great pride in their homes, the environment and spend their time cultivating tea and coffee plantations.

It is possible to find overnight accomodation and sample home house cooking, and being looked after in a manner from a bygone age. You will most certainly enjoy this avenue of experience if you decide to follow the same.

There are stunning water falls in the area {Kompong Falls) and you can take a swim in the very cool and fresh water it affords as a bathing and recreation type spot for the locals especially.




I rather think it must be spectacular in the monsoon season.





This home and the surroundings looked spectacular when we came across the same.






The village is in beautiful condition. Well maintained with a great deal of obvious TLC

Ah, someone else who has ventured up into Mae Kampong.
Very nice place.
Another thread here for anyone who is interested.

https://teakdoor.com/thailand-hotels-...chiangmai.html

That's a nice thread you ran there Thetyim, thanks for the link.

Check it out you guys. Well worth the read.

I rate it as one of the best places I have been in Thailand.
Only 1+ hour from Chaingmai and so cool up there.
The only draw back is that there is absolutely nothing to do in the evening.

I asked what the red berries were on this bush, there were so many of them deep in the jungle as well.

Coffee plants would you believe. Apparently the bush grows superbly in the jungle and there is no need to clear acres of land to plant a plantation, just let the bush grow anywhere so to speak.




The little dog on the steps here had me fascinated too. He remained there as content as could be for hours, we even went off into the jungle spending a few hours in the canopies and he was still sat there taking in all his little section of the planet had to offer.




We dined here, the food was good and the coffee even better. Flobo reckons it was the best coffee she ever had in her life.





The little building was beautifully unique with the flowers growing all over it.

A lot of care and attention had gone into this creation.

Agree with you there.

Still a pub on the corner with darts, snooker and cable TV would ruin the unique individuality of everything don't you think?

Some of the buildings were nestled discreetly into the jungle, I actually wondered if there was such a thing as careful and considerate planning in the location or was the hit and miss factor simply working at 100% plus.






Beautiful to see isn't it though.

^^
Yes a pub/karaoke would ruin the place but I expected to see a few locals sitting down drinking
Lao Khao but they wasn't any.

We stayed in the house opposite that restaurant .
I reckon the eggs up there were the best I have ever tasted.
Fresh from the hen and not weeks old like the normal ones in LOS

Eggs. Superb,totally agree with you on that one. We noticed and have noticed before, the more remote and area is from civilisation the better the eggs and most food tastes. The eggs are unique in a manner that actually smells of freshness before they are even placed in front of you.

Every home had gone to the trouble of planting so many flowers around it's boundaries, but it wasn't a garden appearance it was well presented in a more natural manner than any normal flower bed or manicured lawn was ever going to display.

Superb.



We were both fascinated and intrigued by the village and homes in general. Must say, all of the people we met there came across as being rather special in their own mannerisms too.





The views in genral were over and above nice.


Looking into the jungle itself was even better.

So it finally came around to tree topping time, or flying through the canopies. An exhilarating chance in our lives to soar above a 1500 year old rain forest. Walk along bridges suspended hundreds of feet above the jungle floor and experience a few hours in a system once reserved for a select group of highly privileged scientists.



Flobo was trussed up first.




So you have the harness which is rather akin to a paragliding assembly. Additional kit is the two wheeled clamp on for allowing you to ride down the wire cables above you. Then a safety clamp which is used each time you are detached from the overhead and find yourself either walking on one of the fifteen different stages we encountered or walking the bridges in space so to speak.

You will appreciate what I mean as the additional photographs come up.

Oh yes... I almost forgot the brake.

See the piece of bamboo in her left hand, that is the brake,

Find yourself heading too fast towards one of the landing stages and you have to hook on the cable above you and pull down rather smartish.

It works too.


Y'all ready for this girl.






There she looks ready.


It's high she remarked.

Well I soon found myself getting trussed up too. The safety helmet seemed a bit small. But then I thought, Mathos old lad, if you fall from up there a safety helmet will be as much use as a cushion.

Shut up and get flying.






When you look off the platform and see it like this you kind of get that feeling of 'What the bloody hell am I doing?'

He flies through the air with the greatest of ease.


You have to remember to lift your legs up as you approach the landing stages, you are certainly moving at a fair old speed up there and apparently people have broken their legs by not judging the landing stage correctly and crashing into the same.






Flobo had no problem at all getting air borne and enjoyed every minute of it. She wants to do it again too.

It's absolutely fantastic once you are up there.


It's something we have done in life which has been an unforgettable experience.







Sometimes you think the trees have a direct route to the heavens.





Flobo made me laugh on one of the high stages.

It reminds me of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid when they were about to jump off that mountain into the river. Remember Sundance, he said "I can't swim"
and Butch said. "So what the fall will probably kill you anyhow!"




Life can be a lot of fun at times, and the adrenalin buzz with this little lot was absolutely fantastic.

Encore!

The guides were outstanding very professional and extremely safety conscious.






The views from these points were mind blowing at times.

MtD, thank you.

These bridges were something else too. If you can imagine they sway with each step you take, sway and buckle but you carry on walking, what a feeling.

I've just got to do this again before I get too old to enjoy this type of fun.




I remember saying to Flobo, You go first love and I'll hold it steady"

We absailed down a couple of high ones like this as well. That was brilliant, Flobo had never absailed before this and she thought it was brilliant.

You can see the ropes we descended on to the right of the tree.






This one too the ropes are still up here which we came down, side by side.
She said... " Do you come here often?"

Wow, some of the photographs are quite spectacular.






We both feel pretty good about the achievement and the way the photographs have turned out. More good luck than good management.

We both simply point and click and neither of our cameras are special at all. The third camera is part and parcel of a video unit.

So all in all the pics are quite good we think.







This was I think about the longest stretch we did, it went at a hell of a speed too.

There were a few of those sky bridges to walk across. It's amazing how you adapt to the swaying etc.







This was a nice photograph it is almost at the end of the jaunt as well. Pity that.





It gives you an idea of how high up we were, and we had abseiled down at least two extremely high levels by the time we reached this one showing the dirt road below us.