Visiting Doi Mae Salong - The Tea Paradise

It isn't much of a surprise if we happen to have the chance to visit a place we have longed to visit. Certainly, it is a surprise when, impulsively and within seconds, a decision is taken to set out for a certain destination.

The thrill of learning something new at Doi Mae Salong, my destination before me, was overwhelming. The motorcycle was rented and primed and ready; the traveler was primed and set to get going on the road; the freedom of travel was soon being experienced.

Along highway 110, Chiang Rai-Mae Chan road, my motorcycle glided along smoothly. I remembered the rental guy saying: “Take special care when you ascend the mountains; the road is particularly steep”.

A short distance from the city, I couldn't help but stop the motorcycle to enjoy the sight ahead. It was something I hadn't seen in years. Around a dozen people, toiling in the field, stopped work and gave me their warm, welcoming smiles. They asked me questions like, “Where are you from? Which way are you headed? Won't you get lost? Why are you taking our photographs? Will you return to Chiang Rai?” I smiled in return, finding it hard to keep up with their questions, before waving farewell. This must be what is called “roadside friendship”, I supposed.

I journeyed for another four kilometers, passing Mae Chan District before taking the left turn onto highway 1089 toward Doi Mae Saland. It is said the mountain ranges to the left assume the shape of a reclining woman. The tip of her wavy hair is the site of present-day Mae Sai District; the nose is where one finds Doi Tung, and Doi Mae Salong is located in the curve of her waist.

Filled with excitement, I took special care to keep firm control of the motorcycle, as the entire route was not only full of curves and thick forest, but was slippery, which was particularly dangerous for me as motorist. Traveling at 20 kilometers per hour over the mountain curves, many motorists becomes acutely aware of the potential perils ahead. I could only pray that I would soon make it safely to my destination.

By the time I arrived at Doi Mae Salong, I was starving. Stashing my luggage at Mae Salong Villa, I immediately headed for the hilltop market to find something to eat. Teashops make up fourth-fifth of all shops in the area and they are all set to welcome any weary travel who wanders by.

I was obliged to stop at the beckoning of shopkeepers inviting me to taste their teas. The wide range of teas available for tasting certainly surprised me as I entered one of the shops. The shopkeeper was far from stingy, readily offering me such fine samples as Oolong tea and Ching Ching Oolong teas. Also, some of the more famous young stalks Oolong tea she was eager to sell to demonstrate the real taste of Chinese tea. I was never a tea lover, previously, but the tea at Doi Mae Salong totally converted me, thanks to its pleasant aroma and fresh flavor that proved so pleasing to the palate.

The shopkeeper divulged the secrets of tea making: the water has to be clean and chlorine-free. Above all, the water must be brought to the boil. To clean the tea leaves, they are passed through boiled water once. Then, they are left in the boiled water for a minute before being poured into another container to stand. After this stage, it is transferred to the teacup.

There lies the secret of tea making. So, if you don't want to become constipated, never drink tea from tea leaves that have been left to soak in boiled water for too long. To truly appreciate the different teas, you are well advised to inhale the pleasant aroma before drinking them. With that useful tea making tip in mind, I hopped from shop to shop with great delight, each time acquiring greater knowledge.

From the teashops, it made sense to look for other merchandise, including highland vegetables, fruits from the region's temperate climate, handicraft and lovely souvenirs from the different stalls run by the hill tribe folk.

By the time I got to the lodging, it was already late. An amber sun gave way to dusk.