Day 10 - More twisties to Ban Rak Thai

Woke up to a slightly misty and chilly morning, reminding us that we are now up in the mountains. Our ride today was another 80 miles of twisty roads and steep hairpins, with stops at Pai Canyon and the Fish Cave. We are now staying in. Ban Rak Thai, a Chinese village on the border with Myanmar. Did the touristy thing and went for a boat trip on the lake but decided against dressing up in traditional chinese outfits for the occasion (which seems to be the thing to do). Now having a Chinese meal overlooking the lake. Mark's happy as he's got sausages. I've gone for fried tea leaves and pork, and chinese kale. The temperature is now 15 degrees and dropping quickly.

History of Ban Rak Thai:

Ban Rak Thai’s story is deeply tied to one of the most turbulent periods in Chinese history. The village was founded by Chinese Nationalist (Kuomintang) soldiers and civilians from Yunnan Province who fled China following the communist takeover in the mid-20th century. Seeking refuge, they crossed borders and eventually settled in the remote mountains of Northern Thailand.

Thailand allowed these refugees to stay, and over time they built a permanent community while retaining much of their cultural identity. That legacy remains strong today. The architecture, food, language, and customs in Ban Rak Thai are distinctly Yunnanese, preserving a snapshot of “old China” that has largely disappeared elsewhere.Read more