Swimming with elephants

[Littlepeahead]

Well I've done it - booked the biking holiday in Thailand.

I'm doing the Mae Hong Son Loop going west towards the border with Myanmar (which is supposed to be one of the top ten motorcycle routes in the world!) and the Golden Triangle Loop, north and into the Golden Triangle, along the Mekong River and the border with Laos.

That is a rather large number of twisty roads, sharp bends and a few mountains, not what I'm used to in flat Essex. But best of all, as well as the bike, I also get to ride an elephant - wonder if you can get your knee down on one of those?

So anyone got a Lonely Planet/Rough Guide to Thailand they'd like to lend me?

[missyburd]

Sounds amazing you luckiest of lucky things! Have a wonderful time, when do you go?

[husky03]

the elephants are cool-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w166/callumhadd/DSCF3697.jpg

and check out here for your jabs etc

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/thailand.aspx

husky

[Bluefish]

lucky girl, room for a small one, :D

ps who did you book with, was it an adventure site?

[Speedy Claire]

Sounds absoutely fantastic... what an adventure :D

[Littlepeahead]

Head off at the end of Jan for 2 weeks. The itinerary looks amazing.

http://thaimotorcycletouring.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=44

http://thaimotorcycletouring.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=50

I have contacted a couple of people through Tripadvisor who have already done it and they really rated it, also got a great review in one of the biking magazines this month. Was a bit nervous about telling my mum what I was up to as she does worry - her response - 'Good for you, we're a long time dead, you go for it'!

[Milky Bar Kid]

Wow, this sounds amazing...and I don't even have the guts to go to Bristol!! HAHAH!

[ArtyLady]

Wow, this sounds amazing...and I don't even have the guts to go to Bristol!! HAHAH!

Ditto MKB - I'd love to visit my rellies up north! Does sound like an amazing experience Littlepeahead - enjoy :D

[Spiderman]

Not jealous. Not even a little bit.

[Miss Alpinestarhero]

ooo sounds like an exciting adventure, have a great time and take lots of pictures :D

Might be worth making sure all your jabs are up to date and making sure your travel insurance does actually cover you for what you're doing. Perhaps making a note of where the british embassy is along with contact details might be useful?

Im not well travelled so I guess im not the best person to offer you advice :smt048

[johnnyrod]

AWESOME!

Never been there but for most Far East places, tuck a wad of US Dollars somewhere hidden in case you need it. It's an organised tour though so you'll more than likely have no trouble at all.

Did I say it looks AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Owenski]

*bookmark for keeps*

[TimTucker]

Both routes are lovely. The quality of the roads is better on the Mae Hong Son loop and a new road was being built west of Pai when I was there four years ago. The road between Chiang Mai and Pai is twisty and climbs spectacularly, but is busy, with lots of buses, so take it easy.

Mae Hong Son is an attractive place, especially the small lake with the wats near the centre of town.

The route through the Golden Triangle is rougher but quieter and you should pass through a greater variety of tribal villages.

All-in-all it should be a fantastic trip and you'll have a wonderful time.