Day 8 - Tuesday 25 November 2014, Nan

Quick Start.....Waking quite early, I figure there is nothing to stop me making an early start. I normally spend at least an hour on my blog but last night it was almost complete: Almost, because for some reason I could not connect to the internet. A connection was available and the signal strong and I assumed it was a password problem despite the code being available in the room as is often the case. However, as it was not critical for just a stopover I didn't attempt to resolve the issue, but instead I now can use the time saving to good effect. That works, and I'm away by 8 am, but I've had no breakfast. I fix that by heading into Chat Trakan and get what I need in 7-Eleven. That includes a hot coffee but as the water added to the 3-in-1 is boiling hot I delay consumption.
Dead end.....I head north out of the city looking for a rest site where I can have breakfast. Well its different, isn't it? I don't travel too far before I see a right turn to the Chat Trakan waterfall. This seems an ideal spot just 2 kilometres away. However it's not what I expected as this is the entry point to Chat Trakan National Park. Ooops! The entry fee is rather steep for foreigners even by Thai standards. It's time to turn the steed around. Nevertheless, the park entrance will be my breakfast venue this morning. Despite this activity it's still early by my standards and press on north into the mountains. Now I'm clear of the tourist areas, one thing becomes most apparent. This is going to become a long and lonely day. Initially I have agricultural vehicles for company but soon even those disappear. Meeting another vehicle becomes almost a relief as the forest closes in. After Chat Trakan National Park, other parks follow almost one after the other in the remote borderlands with Laos.
Phu Soi Dao National Park.....The first point of reference for miles is at an intersection where there is a check-point. All vehicles have to stop here, and I use the opportunity to collect information. To the right the road heads toward Na Haeo. Yes, I've completed the detour. But to the left is signposted, Ban Khok, a remote village in the east of Uttaradit province, and the ayes to the left have it as I make my way out of Phitsanulok Province.
Before too long the next national park appears. By 11 am I stop at the visitor centre mainly for a comfort break, but there is also a waterfall here clearly visible from the road. It's a photo opportunity but what happens next I didn't expect. Driving through this park, Phu Soi Dao is an experience in itself but as I look around the visitor centre I'm aware of an opportunity that fits this tour to a 'T' but well beyond my capabilities now. At the visitor centre you can hire a tent and mattress. But even if you are fit you're likely to need a Sherpa as well. The trail from the waterfall is 6.5 kilometres, but the climb takes 4-6 hours. At the summit the pine forest is often shrouded in mist at an altitude of 1,633 metres, higher than anything in the UK. I'm allowed to daydream, but that doesn't stop me from getting a sample. The waterfall cascades to five levels. To achieve this first obstacle will have taken you 1 kilometre and I mastered an initial difficult climb from the base of the falls. A good hour later I'm back at the car park most satisfied. Careful now! This could become a habit: Time to move on.
Choosing a route.....At the next junction I have to make a decision. Right is Ban Khok and left is west towards Uttaradit city. There is no point in taking the latter route unless I later cut north again skirting the huge SiriKit Dam and reservoir. Right is the favored route, but this only serves to keep me in the forest for hours on end. What was this tour's title again?
Ban Khok.....It's another half hour before I reach Ban Khok. By this time it's past 1 pm and time for lunch. It's most welcome after the trek and grueling drive in undulating and twisting road conditions. The selection of rice dishes is starting to become repetitive, but honestly I'm not bothered. They are filling and cheap. From Ban Khok the road heads northwest. The next destination is Na Noi but first there is the great expanse of Sinan National Park to negotiate.
Sinan National Park.....The forest seems virtually endless as one park takes over from another. In fact, I don't realise it but at some point I cross the provincial border into Nan Province probably around 3 pm. I start to tire and need a break soon.
An opportunity soon arises as I cross the great Nan River. It's a fantastic photo opportunity and gives me a break for ten minutes. I continue on through the park till on my right there is a viewpoint and a nature trail at one of the park entrances. There is a park fee, but I've no time to enter this park but simply record it for my blog. I continue on to Na Noi until soon I reach the summit of the pass where there is a check point residing over glorious views, but the check point is unmanned. I'm really on the limit after 7 hours and at the bottom of the pass I hand the driving over to Katoon. It's now 3.30pm and time to consider the final destination for today. The next town is Wiang Sa and here we can pick up route 101 (AH13). It seems the logical thing to do now to head for the provincial capital Nan. It 5 pm we roll into Nan exactly a week after we rolled into Phetchabun. It takes less than 10 minutes to find suitable accommodation and in the courtyard of a motel there are no trees!
Chanasin Motel.....Chanasin is on the left leaving Nan on the 1091 towards Phrayao. Again it's very cheap, catering for Thai workers/travelers who fill the rooms at the end of the day. The room is spacious and quite acceptable but in my haste to settle in and find something for dinner I forgot to check it had everything I needed. A fridge is missing, but they offer to store anything necessary in the office. I can make do; it's only a cold drink I need and have a flask for that. It's time to eat, but I know that I'm some way from the city itself. However there are dining options just around the corner. The first option is a novelty to me after 1 week of rice and noodles. It's a steak house. Well let's go for it! My budget is hardly being stretched so far this tour. The steaks on offer include pork, beef, chicken and fish. There is a free salad bar to go with them. I order a pork chop. I have to admit the presentation and flavors are amazing, but the pork is not exactly well done and the quality of the meat not quite up to what I would expect at home but really for 129 baht I have no real cause to complain. Next to the steak house is a more typical Thai restaurant, and perhaps it's back to basics tomorrow. Back at Chanasin it's more important to get an internet connection and it's fine. I publish my blog from yesterday and make inroads into registering this interesting day's events. Now I can just relax.
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