Determined to beat the rain we skipped breakfast and took off like bats out of hell in the direction of Chiang Rai (180 km away). Part of this road we had done yesterday, so we knew the road was in good condition with curves properly angled to reach 70 kph on dry road. Once we passed the point we had turned around yesterday we got hungry and had to make a stop at a flea market to get something good to eat for lunch.
Unfortunately after that delightful pause, at about half way, the road became much more deteriorated. The royal highway crews were hard at work constructing a new wide road, but for the time being we had many detours and rough road stretches. Then it started to rain and the detours turned into mud courses where our scooters had to play the dual road of dirt bikes.
All is well that ends well, however, and we came into Chiang Rai during a halt in the rain. I recall this town as having some fabulous temples and I hope we will get to see some of those tomorrow.
For the afternoon we took a rest from the bikes and went for a walk in the downtown area. It was full of life as high school students were finishing their school day and spreading all over town. We saw the gilded town clock at a roundabout in an avenue marked by gilded street lights and a park with silvery shrines and scenes from the life of Lord Buddha. Overall a cute town.
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