Rode the 1001 from Mae Jo towards Phrao with the intention of visiting a group of temples along the way.

This road is a terrific ride, with plenty of curves, a decent surface and very little traffic. Typically I ride this road fast and don’t take time to stop & savour some of the culture. Before the ride, I created waypoints on my GPS for each temple… 56 of them between the turning for Mae Ngat & Phrao. Ha ! Lets start on that list ;)

Wat Na Meng.

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Plenty of sandcastles after Songkran celebrations.

Believe it or not, these were inhabited.

First look at the new chain, changed last week during the 6,000 km service. Nothing wrong with the old one, just felt compelled to change it after so many others had suffered problems.

The water crossing has a new bridge.

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Wat Ban Luang

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Wat Chetiya Ba

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This place is quite diverse, with many influences.

Many Mae Chee.

The decorations on the roof & the snakes are unique.

Made from a Tin / metal material & riveted together.

Monument – Long Poo Khao Atnalayu

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Fascinating use of ceramic tiles

Just behind the monument I visited a small dam project & saw some orange robes on trees in the forest on the hills behind.

Up on the mountain, this Meditation Sala is still under construction.

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Note the windowed plinth below.

Stairs crossing !!

Note the windows above the Buddha image

A little bit of off road & the bike feels comfortable enough.

Wat Phrachao Thon Luang

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On the left side of the road coming up from Chiang Mai. A pretty temple with very plain outside walls.

Inside however, is another story. Very detailed decorations and something I have not seen before on the ceiling.

On the right side of the road at this point are steps leading to a Chedi on the mountain.

Up at the Chedi

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What a nice looking bike.

Wat Chaloem Ra

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A poor looking sala in front but up on the hill are signs of development from last years gatin tamboon.

Monument – Long Poo Waen

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This huge monument is similar to the ones found on Doi Inthanon.

I have tried googling a little about this place and some of the names and am drawing blanks. Took tells me this Monk was highly regarded and very important (hence the grandness of the monument I guess)

The light falling on the flowers below makes a pleasant scene.

This Chedi is at Wat Doi Mae Pa which really is the temple area situated towards the main road from the places in the above images & the monument.

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