Kevin's 2008 Motorbiking Holiday

In June 2008, Kevin arrived in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand having spent 5 days in Shanghai for the first time. After renting a Honda 250cc trail bike in Chiang Mai, he travelled north towards the Thai - Myanmar border and explored a lot of the remote villages along the northern frontier. After spending a day in Myanmar riding around the border towns near Tachileik, he proceeded eastward to the Golden Triangle, formerly an infamous opium growing region situated at the confluence of a river border between Thailand, Mayanmar and Laos.

After sampling numerous natural hot springs and waterfalls in the mountains, Kevin returned to Chiang Mai via Chiang Rai and Pai to return the trusty motorbike to the rental shop. A bit saddle sore after more than 1,500kms in 5 days, he flew out to Taiwan several days later and set out to explore the lush countryside along the mountainous Southern Cross Island road west of the city of Tainan. After staying at a the home of some local aboriginal people, he found a remote track at the 169km mark which he had read about on the internet. From there, a trailhead was then found further along the track which was difficult at first to locate. Seeking to find some legendary hot springs in remote forest called "Lisong" (described by a select few as absolutely sublime), he was alarmed to find that it was a 50 minute climb of practically vertical proportions straight down by ropes and vines. Under a beautifully clear sunny sky, it was a magical spot to relax, but getting back up was a most torturous exercise and took twice as long (certainly not for the faint-hearted).

With a well worn digital camera that has survived a few bumps here and there over the last few years, Kevin recorded a little of the journey to share with others. The following 7.22 minute clip has a mixture of live sound and music. Enjoy.