Great report

Just added to my bucket list

Fireball, I have buckets as well as flip flops, large or medium??


Our residents for the night were not much no shower just a big bucket of water and a scoop; think we all passed on that as we did the toilet. We found a little place to eat up the road, Craig broke out his bottle of ouzo and we got a little pissed, Doug was sorting out tomorrows route, I had told them I was heading for Paxse and they decided to head that way to, no need to go alone.





Just a hard bed and a mozzie net.


The next morning we where up before the sun and waiting for the Café to open, it was a beautiful morning so we had a little look about, no rush today which was nice. We where hoping to get to Paxse tonight.





The Moon was still out.


Here she comes.






Village life is under way.


Kids of to School.


We went to have a look at the school, very basic, but lot's of happy children.


Although they seemed a little scared of us and run away

And hid, we can see you.


Or not bothered.


Doug had panned the route, I was already fed up with management style and today I would reach my limit, this is why I travel alone. These sort of ride tests more than your machine. We arrived at the left turn described by the man in the Bar last night (Telecom Tower) my Gps says straight on, we go left and 10k’s later the road splits, left or right? Doug ask’s me what way the Gizmo said, I told him “back to the Tower and turn left”, “going back was not an option” he barked like it was my fault, F**k off was my reply and with that I dropped the bike into gear nodded at the others and f****d of, jeez man don’t talk to me like that.

Back on my own again emotions where high and I was free, no more problems in my life until I started to feel bad about leaving Sam behind, he been trying to stop me as I left the group waving his arms at me, aaahhh shit. I decided to wait at the Tower for 20 mins; if they didn’t show up I would carry on regardless. As I waited I heard the sound of bikes coming up the trail, Doug was first and he made his way over to me and told me that they had voted 3-1 to go with what the gps said, it had not let us down so far.

Turned out to be a little stretch of graded sand then some tarmac, it was a welcome break from the trail.


We ambled along until we hit a town and started looking for somewhere to have lunch, this wasted a lot of time as well.












Tensions where high that day we got about half before we all had enough and decided to park it for the day, later that evening we all hooked up to see what was going on, for me it was easy I was going to Paxse. Sam had reached his limit and wanted to go to Paxse and rest up, Craig wanted to buy a GPs card of my friend Doug and Graham would go to Attapue and then go onto meet the other’s in Kong Island in a few days, no problem, off to bed.

Hope tomorrow is better

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Its nice to hook-up with others occasionally, but I prefer to ride alone

btw the flip-flops arrived, now my girlfriend wants a pair

I think alone is more challenging, but it can be fun with others...

Flip flops in the post for the GF...

Back to the Trails...


When I got up in the Morning Doug and Graham had left, the mutineers and myself set sale on a little route I planned the night before, bit of sight seeing.



I had looked through the GPs and found 2 places of interest, they both had good written in brackets next to the name, no idea what they where, lets go have a look.





We headed of for Tah H Namsai, it was off road the hardest bit was the last climb, nobody had been up here for a while the track was over grown and very slippery in the rocky sections, it was more like a trails ride with no place to stop until you got to the top. On arrival there was a small clearing it was as hot as hell, well worth the effort.





The view was stunning













We had about 1hr here and headed back down the climb, it was harder than coming up but we had to take the same route back to the road, then it was onto the next place the Tad fan overlook. Sam had a small of and twisted his ankle but was fit to carry on, we travelled well as a team, me waiting at any turns for Craig to catch up, then I would go off again and he would wait for Sam, clockwork.










We stopped for some food on route and got one of the best meals I had had for days, these little food places can be gems.



We arrived at the next place and new it was another waterfall, once again we where blown away with the views.









After a little look around we headed for a Hotel I picked from the Menu. We arrived about 6pm, it had been a fantastic days riding and this was our hotel. Fantastic looking place with great views, Doug phoned to say that there where on the to Pakxe and could we book some rooms. I had already decided that tomorrow I was having a day off, my thumb was still pretty useless and other battle damage was taking it’s toll, time for a rest.

Our hotel.


Hot shower...yes..






After a clean up I contacted Midnight mapper and invited him and his wife up for dinner, we dined like kings. Craig got his Gps card and also got a lesson in how to use it



A splendid evening was had by all, tomorrow the Aussies would leave and I would go of with Midnight. It had been great riding with the guys, thank you fellas.

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Great ride report so far. Thanks for all the pictures. I find I need to ride solo or with one other person or I don't enjoy my time.

Thanks Rob it was a fun ride, I always travel alone and dare say I will again, but sharing it was a great time, I liked the parts when you had to work as a group to help each other, but then I hated all the indecision that comes along with a group, I suppose it ways up in the end.... for me it's the ride...

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Been meaning to finish this report for some time but I've been so busy planning the next trip I never got round to it, now I have time I plan to finish it.

The Aussies I was riding with have headed of on their own and I have met up with Don AKA Midnitemapper. Don's been mapping Laos for the last 10 years and has produced a GPS map with so much detail it's a real riding companion.

The map below is the route from the next 4 days.



This would be a great incite into how a mapper works...meet Don


We spent the first day just poking around (yellow route)



An easy day, I think don was warming me up for what was coming over the next few days, here is a few shots of our day. Don takes pictures and waypoints of everything of interest. His passion and drive for what he does is remarkable. Wish I had met him 20 years ago.

First up need to fix a puncture.



Beauty and the beast


Nice bike


Old truck




Over the Mekong and onto the trails.







So many great things to see



Irrigation.



View from the cockpit



Back on the trails



The next village was spectacular lots of picture opportunities







Time for a spot of lunch, time to treat the kids.













These people where so nice, so happy..

We rode until night time, I don't like the Laos roads at night...not safe.

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