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Lonerider in Northern Thailand and Laos
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When things change quickly in your life you have to adapt quickly. So much for the saying ‘always expect the unexpected’ Ummmmmm well never mind, just get on with life. As most of you are aware 'No Plan Survives First Contact’. So a complete change of plan for the time being, out the window goes the Euro Russia trip and the Sth America trip. I need a quick fix, so SE Asia here I come. I will be spending a week in BKK with my daughter then taking the train to CM to pick up my hire bike. Which they say I can take across the border, time will tell. The plan is to tour Northern Thailand then cross at some point in to Laos and tour Laos. If I get time I may go across in to Cambodia before going back to CM. Sorting out the trip was not much of a problem. I booked the bike through Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant - Chiang Mai Bikers Hotel Thailand they are on email riders.corner.cnx@gmail.com. All detail on the site Flights were booked direct with Emirates My train from BKK to CM was booked through Royal Exclusive Travel - Thailand Travel, Hotel Bangkok, Cambodia Travel and have an email address if anyone wants it. I found them really helpfull and my ticket was waiting for me at my hotel in BKK today The only accommodation I have booked is my first week with my daughter in BKK, and I will be booking my first night in CM till I get myself sorted out. I have also registered on https://www.couchsurfing.org, so as well as staying in Hotels and hostel I may give it ago. The bike I have booked is a CRF250 L with a rack on the back. I intend on using straps/bungies to fasten my bergan to the back. I brought all my own riding gear with me as I know I can get on with it. I also brought my own tools as there are non provided. But only taking the basics. For photographing and videoing the trip I will be using my Nokia Lumia and my donated Apple 4s ( so I can use locals sim cards as well as keep my UK one going) (thanks Malc). I have also got the GoPro Hero 4 with I have used before on many occasions (quality I find to be good) but now I have the Apple I can remote operate it also, tried it and it was good. I have got the Thailand maps downloaded on my Nokia but can’t get any for Laos. I do have paper maps of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia (in case I go) and I will be taking my Silva compass so there will be a bit of old school navigation. Also got myself a Garmin Montana, using it with Free worldwide Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap which I have found to be great detail, time will tell when I am on the road. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/...ff9e9ae8_b.jpgWP_20141103_001 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/...7668afe4_b.jpgWP_20141103_002 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I will update the RR when I can but no doubt there will be places where I get no internet. Apart from my trip to Hamburg which I put on here this will be my first longer RR so please bare with me 7 days to go till I pick up the bike, more time relaxing in BKK with my daughter, with beer, oh well, someone has to do it. :D No more :stormy: and :freezing:, well...at least till the end of Jan The hotel in BKK is good but they had not put in the extra bed in for my daughter, got it now, I know I love her but still need my own space :thumbup1: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...f994b969_b.jpgHotel BKK by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/...65844232_b.jpgHotel BKK 2 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...9959545e_b.jpgHotel BKK 3 by Wayne 66, on Flickr My daughters bed did eventually come and is next to the window, I got the Kingsize (well I did pay :rofl:) Wayne |
Yes....I know I am not on the bike yet but only 7 days till I get it, just thought I would share some pics with you all
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...381f1c3b_b.jpgIMG_0047 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wat Arun, a very old Temple in BKK, the stairs are very steep when climbing up but what a good view of the city you got https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...15f32cf0_b.jpgIMG_0060 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...031279c7_b.jpgIMG_0050 by Wayne 66, on Flickr My daughter on the top Wat Arun with the city of BKK in the back ground https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...9a59a32d_b.jpgIMG_0055 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Looking down on a Temple from Wat Arun https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...562dca75_b.jpgIMG_0030 by Wayne 66, on Flickr A favourite place of mine in BKK, Soi 4, Sukhumvit |
Ayuthaya is where I'm now. Also really nice! And not far from Bangkok.
Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory. |
Blommetje
Good news, hope your having fun? I go up to CM on the overnight train on the 11th If you get to BKK let me know Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
You can visit Rotweiler GPS maps and check the Lao and Cambodia one. I used it 2 years ago and worked pretty good on my Zumo
North Thailand is a wonderfull motorbike country Safe travel Metita |
Had a good relaxed day, and then went to Soi Cowboy for food, drink and a good old fashioned look
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...1599bbdf_b.jpgIMG_0072 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/...ca9e20a5_b.jpgIMG_0071 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Snoopy invasion for Christmas at Central World, Siam https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...64e73c50_b.jpgIMG_0080 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/...584772d3_b.jpgIMG_0081 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/...3db71eee_b.jpgIMG_0098 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...d8f62d46_b.jpgIMG_0092 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Some off the delights of Soi Cowboy and finally..just in case Bones667 has looked at this... maybe I might get the sore left wrist back :rofl: :rofl: :innocent: |
About time you got on with this Wayne :biggrin:
Pick up a GT Riders map when you get to Chiang Mai & while your there, can you grab me a panang curry down at the night market would ya :D Tour Maps, Forum & Trip Reports S.E. Asia | GT-Rider Maps ENJOY Thailand and its wonderful people :scooter::thumbup1: |
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Thanks for the info on the maps Wayne |
4 days to go
Had another good chillout day with my daughter. Went on a river boat around some of the canals, and passed the floating market. Then in the evening more bier and food. Will be glad to get on the bike to give my kidneys and liver a rest :rofl:
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/...4a458943_b.jpgIMG_0101 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The driver https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...17c54db4_b.jpgIMG_0104 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...83663a64_b.jpgIMG_0110 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Navel Academy https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...f0b17440_b.jpgIMG_0114 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/...c187f2e7_b.jpgIMG_0120 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/...260eccbc_b.jpgIMG_0130 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/...bf525a30_b.jpgIMG_0140 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/...df027a28_b.jpgIMG_0152 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
Sore wrist yet??
and finally..just in case Bones667 has looked at this... maybe I might get the sore left wrist back :rofl: :rofl: :innocent:[/QUOTE]
Ha Ha - Good on you Wayne.. I cant see the pics as work internet blocks it!!! doh I'll have a look at home later :) (:oops2: Did I mention the word 'WORK' agggrr) Glad ur having a good time and look forward to the blog and pics of the riding experience over there.. (on and off the bike :rofl: :eek3:) Cheers Bones :thumbup1: |
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go steady Wayne |
Well...my daughter flies back later on today and I am on the night train the following day
Had a really good time but I am looking forward to getting the bike and setting off We went around the Grand Palace yesterday, really nice to walk around and most of the building have had intricate work on them, must have taken hours to do. So...a few more pics till I get to CM https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...e4eda405_b.jpgIMG_0173 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/...aef604c4_b.jpgIMG_0181 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/...c499cdd4_b.jpgIMG_0209 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/...cccba7ec_b.jpgIMG_0214 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/...0f237d9a_b.jpgIMG_0227 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/...e546877f_b.jpgIMG_0230 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
I'm in
Going this way next year with the missus. Useful contacts and hints already, thanks
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Wayne |
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Well my daughter has gone back home, she is in the air as I am writing this, had a good time in BKK with her but now it is time to get on with the trip
On the night train to CM later on today and get the bike on the 13th I have got a rough route sorted out, so lets see if the plan survives first contact....doubt it :rofl: This is the intended route in Thailand and Laos, although not decided exactly where I am going to cross the border |
TIP Lonerider - Keep your plans loose :thumbup1:
Mrs & I did the Mae Hong Son Loop etc earlier this year & I plan nothing more than a direction. We stay if we like a place or move on as we feel. Personally, I hate booking ahead anywhere except arrival & departure nights into & out of a country. Plenty of homework for ideas done & then just wing it :D:scooter: Oh yeah, on the train, ask for the price of the 'extras' before you say yes LOL |
Haha thx for the info, yeah deffo loose plans, only place I have booked is first night in CM
Ummmm extras on the train, I'll bare that in mind Cheers Wayne |
At Chiang Mai
Arrived at the train station in good time as I need to get my ticket for the return journey back to Bangkok on the night of the 18 Jan 2015, managed to get the same type of compartment I have got for this journey. Whilst at the station I passed the time away talking to folk…as you do! Some German girls, but its been along time since I used any German and a couple from the UK. It was a good time and it passed the time.:D
In typical Thai train times we set off late, but only by 20 mins so that was not too bad. The compartment was ok but a little cramped and there was no way to lock the door once you left. Once we set off I went to the restaurant car for some food and it was very nice, ‘seafood spicy platter’ had it with a coke and a smile. No beer allowed on the train due to an incident previous. If you need anymore info on trains in Thailand then I suggest The Man in Seat Sixty-One - the train travel guide... as the website to use, its very informative. I went to sleep at about 2230hrs and was awake again at 0230hrs shaking like a rabid dog,:( what with the temperature drop further up north and the aircon in the compartment I was freezing, no way to turn aircon off so back on with the trousers and my fleece which I had on me with flying from the UK, problem sorted and eventually awoke again at 0650hrs. Coffee time! :clap: I am sat on the train still as I am typing this in note form ready to do an update as and when I can, using the time wisely, :rofl: how long will that last?! Looking out the window the scenery is great and I am looking forward to getting the bike tomorrow and setting off. Arrived at Riderscorner, got my room 380Bht for one night with aircon Time to chill and sort out the kit ready for tomorrow bier https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...65d50d7c_h.jpgIMG_0248 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8604/...7c04bc64_h.jpgIMG_0250 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/...39c69d65_h.jpgIMG_0251 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Hua Lamphong Station, BKK https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...55e6e24c_h.jpgIMG_0252 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8564/...bcff1da3_h.jpgIMG_0253 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Japanese Rail carriage and my compartment https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...92f3e78b_h.jpgIMG_0254 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Note the banner top left https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/...bea1a14d_h.jpgIMG_0255 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant - Chiang Mai Bikers Hotel Thailand Wayne |
Got the bike
I went to pick up the bike this evening so I could get it ready for the morning and I can get an earlyish start tomorrow
Its brand new, only of 500km on the clock.......Not a good idea just in case i drop it :oops2:...I can see the Baht signs now :rofl: Got him to swap out the fairing for some older stuff so it won't matter if I scuff it little. :innocent: Took the pics in the place where I got it from. Roll on the morning and I am setting off for Phrae on my first leg Also got all my paperwork to get into Laos :D :clap: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...ea053be5_h.jpgIMG_0257 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...2ecb99a2_h.jpgIMG_0258 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
bike looks good mate. Have fun and keep us posted.
Cheers Bones:mchappy: |
Are we there yet?..............too bloody right he is :clap:
Enjoy Wayne ! Oi, where's my Panang chicken fella ???:nono:bier |
Day 1 Chiang Mai to Phrae
Well, had a good if not long day today, although I did more miles than I had planned to do. Scenery was great and I travelled down some narrow roads through a National park. I got to the Ghost Canyon at about 1530hrs so it gave me time to look around before it closed at 1800hrs
Got to the hotel at about 1830hrs, showerd and out for some food, Hotel not too bad although it was 490 Bht which was more than I intended to pay. The hotel is the Namthong in the middle of Phrae, wouldn't say they were bike friendly as I had to leave it in the carpark with the rest of the cars, they did assure me that there is security on all night, we will see :rofl: The Canyon was quite good, the rock formation are a bit weird as you can see by the photos below Only had about 6 near misses today so thats not too bad for a starter :scooter: You need eyes in the back of your head Will try and get some video in the next couple of day also https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...823b4c85_b.jpgScreen Shot 2014-12-13 at 17.35.28 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The route taken from the Montana 600 https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...4143326a_b.jpgIMG_0261 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/...907f06e3_b.jpgIMG_0262 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...ef92168c_b.jpgIMG_0269 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...03ec8563_b.jpgIMG_0272 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...87a19285_b.jpgIMG_0277 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...c994942c_b.jpgIMG_0281 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8588/...0b5c9643_b.jpgIMG_0285 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...0470f9d5_b.jpgIMG_0278 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...5916e2fa_b.jpgIMG_0286 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Ghost Canyon, Phrae Wayne |
Day 2, Phrae to Sukhothai
Sat with a bottle of LEO beer and relaxing whilst I am writing this. I didn’t know if I would be bothered to write a report every time i got chance but I am quite enjoying it…with a bier . Got an early start today, up at 0600 and on the road for 0700 thanks to a bus load of Chinese tourists that were making a noise in the hotel I stayed in. As I was close to the dining area I could not help but hear them, never mind it gave me an excuse to get up and get going. Phrae to Sukhothai
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...2f024cf1_b.jpgScreen Shot 2014-12-14 at 17.13.54 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I was a good trip and very scenic, I didn’t have breakfast, thought I would get some miles under the belt before I stopped to eat. Riding from one village to the next was good and all the smells of food which was cooking at that time in the morning was making me really peckish. So I decide to pull in, I was also thinking about fuel and lucky the place I decided to pull in to was also selling fuel, so what with the little bit of Thai I have managed to learn and a lot of pointing and gestures I got fuel for the bike and fuel for me….sorted. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/...ceac1f4e_b.jpgIMG_0288 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/...a22655ab_b.jpgIMG_0290 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...b2b2c1bf_b.jpgIMG_0292 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/...41f11fd5_b.jpgIMG_0295 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...c66775dc_b.jpgIMG_0296 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Breakfast Time to hit the road again and get to Sukhothai, on the route I kept stopping to play with the Gopro and try and get used to using the app I have for my iPhone, it allows me the use it wirelessly. I eventully got it to work and took a bit of video on the route. That was a task in its self… Tried to upload the file to Flickr and its saying its to big…anyone any idea on how to reduce the file size on a Mac Air? The route I took was a mixture of rolling hills and flat rice paddy fields with a few villages (towns) thrown in for good measure, so all in all it was a good journey https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/...801aff87_b.jpgIMG_0297 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...3b33fa5a_b.jpgIMG_0300 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/...cc1ee04c_b.jpgIMG_0301 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I got to Sukhothai for lunchtime, about 1200 and stopped at a coffee house with wifi so I could look at Rideasia.net and the HUBB to try and find some recommended digs. Found the Garden house on Rideasia.net..coords N17.00484 E99.48989, very nice little bungalows, paid 300 Bht with a fan, you could pay extra for aircon…but being a Yorkshire man…. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...fbcbbe40_b.jpgIMG_0302 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7556/...b9ea9ec4_b.jpgIMG_0303 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/...8527d349_b.jpgIMG_0308 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Once I was sorted out and had chilled for a bit it was time to do a bit of sight seeing. I went a visited the Sukhothai Historical Park…coords N17.01816° E99.70673°, it was a really nice place and in my mind well worth a visit. It cost 100 Bht to get in and an extra 20 Bht if you want to ride round on your bike…so guess what?….The bike it was! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/...50157c9e_b.jpgIMG_0313 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...82814f58_b.jpgIMG_0317 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/...b5dbb27e_b.jpgIMG_0320 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...1efe9ea2_b.jpgIMG_0322 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...d27484e0_b.jpgIMG_0326 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/...74c46673_b.jpgIMG_0343 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8588/...1f7378d3_b.jpgIMG_0345 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Spent a bit of time talking to this lady using ThaiEnglish and gestures https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/...c3762db4_b.jpgIMG_0348 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/...37c0c765_b.jpgIMG_0350 by Wayne 66, on Flickr This take me to now, sat here with a beer writing this to notes so I can cut and paste it later…once the photos have uploaded to Flickr, think I might have cobwebs before that happens Wayne |
Just for Bucket1960
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Enjoy the pic Bucket1960 :rofl: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...2c91a0c4_b.jpgIMG_0383 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
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The Mrs & I did a cooking course on the farm out of Chiang Mai & damn I'm a good cook :rofl: on the day, when someone else is preparing your ingredients:innocent: Enjoying the ride & pics :thumbup1: |
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Glad to be of service bier I do my own Thai and Indian when at home, love the stuff Thanks for enjoying Wayne |
Day 3 Sukhothai to Tha Song Yang
Yet another early start today, was on the road for about for about 0745, stopped off at a petrol station which had a 7/11 shop, got a 6 litre of water and filled up my CamelBak and binned the rest so I could fill it up with petrol. Only got a 7 litre tank and was crossing some big mountains today.
So better to be safe than sorry, as it happens I didn’t need it. :D The route to start off with was pretty long and mundane :bored: although the scenery was fine the road was not, then I got on to the 1175, now that was fun :clap: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...8ccccd32_b.jpgDay 3 Sukhothai to Tha Song Yang by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...74361fa6_b.jpgGoogle Earth Elevation shot by Wayne 66, on Flickr I did about 80 odd K’s then decided that I needed food so I stopped in Tak, food was great and cheap. That was the boring bit of the road done also. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/...997bb349_b.jpgIMG_0384 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...a80090c5_b.jpgIMG_0385 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Next up was Tak to Ban Mae la, don’t know why I went there? It was up near the Myanmar Border and it gave me a good route to do over the mountains on some more interesting roads, just what the Doctor ordered. :thumbup1: Saw some great sights/scenery on route and had some good roads to ride on. About 2 thirds in to the 1175 I was in need of a break so I just stopped off at the next little village I came across and went to the little shop, had a cold Nescafe out of a tin and a Red Bull type drink, what a pick me up https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/...ae5445c4_b.jpgIMG_0415 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...b98b5b44_b.jpgIMG_0417 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Refreshments During the very early stages of the 1175 I saw a big white budda, had to go check it out, although when I got up there I could not find a way to get to the front to take a pic so had to make do with one from a distance but I got the Temple close up instead. Even managed to get in a traffic jam of cows and a lone woman trying to keep them in check https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...ab98100a_b.jpgIMG_0392 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8660/...18523e07_b.jpgIMG_0386 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/...d87c3ee4_b.jpgIMG_0393 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Went over those mountains in the distance https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...ce4d60f0_b.jpgIMG_0396 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/...75dc419a_b.jpgIMG_0398 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The temple where the White Budda was https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8580/...e4b1b949_b.jpgIMG_0404 by Wayne 66, on Flickr White Budda in the distance https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...3b543483_b.jpgIMG_0412 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...9d86b079_b.jpgIMG_0410 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/...5ec185a2_b.jpgIMG_0419 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/...2c747f01_b.jpgIMG_0424 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...5b429651_b.jpgIMG_0427 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/...2e58c9a3_b.jpgIMG_0429 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Eventually made I it to Ban Mae la and decide that I had been and seen and it was time to move on, nowt much happening. So I re-joined the 105 and headed for Tha Song Yang. Only a small town but had a 7/11 and some local eateries. Stopped off in one of the eateries and in my best Thai for hotel I was pointed in the direction of the place where I will lay my head tonight, which is the BP Resort, coords N17.24866° E98.21464°. Nice little bungalows, 400 Bht with aircon…because boy I needed it and the bike is parked right outside, sorted :thumbup: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...30b7f723_b.jpgIMG_0432 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...cbe7a050_b.jpgIMG_0433 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The room for the night Popped back into Tha Song Yang for evening meal and now to plan for tomorrow, a long boring route up to Mae Hong Son where I think I am going to stay of a couple of days and do a ride out. Up to now I am averaging about 1000 Bht a day, give or take a bit, so about 20 quid, not too bad for fuel, food and bed. Still got another 13 days or so before I head in to Laos Wayne |
Loving this ride report. Keep the updates coming :thumbup1:
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I loved some of the sections that much, I turned around & did them again & wondered why my fuel rate was double what the wife was burning :rofl: :thumbup1: Watch out on the up hills for those two lane trucks :eek3: If you get the time, turn off left at Soppong & head out to Cave Lodge & do the Tham Lod cave tour :thumbup1: ACCOMMODATION-SECLUDED BUNGALOWS OVERLOOKING THE RIVER- 8 KMS FROM SOPPONG |
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Thanks a lot and yeah I will. Sat having breakfast in Sobmoei Cheers Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Lonerider in Northern Thailand and Laos
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Haha, so much for me saying long and boring, its a great road, loving it. Don't know if I have passed the place you are on about but I will keep my eyes open for it Cheers Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Nice report and photos Wayne :-)
So you didnt go down to Umpang from Mae Sot then? Dont worry theres a lot of nice curves and scenery on tye road direction towards Mae Hong Son.... The Lod cave is amazing as mentioned above. Take a little detour to "Ban rak thai" from MHS. Lovely ride up into the mountains. Visit the decendents of chinese Kuonmintang there. Many nice tea houses there and superb dried fruit forsale there. Chok dee khrap! |
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Hi mate Just made it to MHS, sat having a expresso frappe whilst trying to find some digs Ban Rak Thai is on my list to do I keep picking up phrases, what does Chok dee mean? Cheers Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Day 4 Tha Song Yang to Mae Hong Son
Wow what a day, long but great. So much for me saying that the road was going going to be long and boring….far from it. It was a brilliant ride, it was 200 mile of so off twists with a bit of loose stuff thrown in for good measure, it would be worth doing again another time. :funmeteryes:
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/...6d414e2c_b.jpgTha Song Yang to Mae Hong Son by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7573/...f6c2a96a_b.jpgTha Song Yang to Mae Hong Son1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Set off again at about 0745hrs and decide to stop on route for breakfast as per the norm. It was really misty for the first couple of hours and I was forever wiping my goggles so I could see where I was going. Also got to a point where i was thinking I needed some fuel and doing the gravel dirt road and going up and down the hills/mountains was zapping the juice. Came across a construction team who were working on the road (loosely speaking of course) and point at the tank, they looked blank at first then cottoned on, they pointed back the way I had came, Ummmm not a good move going backwards when you need fuel, anyway it was only about 2 k’s back down the road, I didn’t see it the first time due to mist and a lorry. Some scenes from the day, although didn't stop much for photos, I was enjoying the road :D https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/...5accf738_b.jpgIMG_0447 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/...e3264d5b_b.jpgIMG_0449 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/...c6563f48_b.jpgIMG_0450 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...26f61bac_b.jpgIMG_0452 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/...feeba192_b.jpgIMG_0454 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/...921037a7_b.jpgIMG_0455 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/...8331db8e_b.jpgIMG_0457 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...6f32738d_b.jpgIMG_0464 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Breakfast came about 1000 at a place called Sobmoei, food was the usual, fried rice with pork and veg, 'I will soon look like a bit of rice’, but hey if you eating local! https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...3ea2c72b_b.jpgIMG_0456 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Breakfast spot The scenery was great, the road awesome, and after a couple more stops to refuel the bike and me I finally got the MHS at about 1415hrs Found a coffee house with wifi, sat with a Expresso Frappe and looked on HUBB and Rideasia.net for a place to stay. Found the Friends House, coords..N19.30019° E97.96727°, talk about basic haha but at least its a bed, 300 Bht for the night, 6 quid so can’t grumble. :helpsmilie: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/...4d1d85e5_b.jpgIMG_0465 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/...0b9b280a_b.jpgIMG_0466 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The room for a couple of nights :rolleyes2: Probably going to stop a couple of days and do a ride out, want to visit Ban Rak Thai and some other places Its getting near bier o’clock and food time. A nice curry with something else other than rice! Wayne |
Theres a coffee shop right behind the temple on the little mountain top just 15-20 minutes walk from downtown MHS. Fantastic view over the town and surroundings. You can look down at the airport and have a glimpse at airplanes landing - from above. A little special........
"Chock dee (khrap)" means Good Luck. "khrap" is the politening syllable for a male speakers. |
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Thanks, yeah I can see the Temple will have a ride up Cheers Wayne Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
First try with the video
A video from a bit of the route on Day 3, still not sure about the quality after I reduced the file, nor if it will work from the link...but here goes
https://flic.kr/p/puy4ap Wayne |
Day 5 Mae Hong Son to Ban Rak Thai, staying local
Decided to stay local to Mae Hong Son today and visit a village I had planned to do and what people on here had said go visit. So off I went...
Thought I might get a lay in but the Cockerels were making a right racket at 0600 this morning...not amused :rofl: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/...ff10f3af_b.jpgDay 5 Mae Hong Son to Ban Rak Thai and back by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/...5fca3f7b_b.jpgDay 5 Mae Hong Son to Ban Rak Thai by Wayne 66, on Flickr It was a good climb, glad i was on the bike :rofl: But it was still around 1000hrs when I set off, I just chilled in my 5* accommodation till then. It was a good ride to the village of Ban Rak Thai which I a village of Chinese Decendents I think and they grow and do their own tea, very nice it was too, I tried the Ging Sing and the morning tea, all free which was nice, also had some grub. I purposely didn't order any rice but it came with it any way doh But it was very nice, I had Yunnan style fried pork done in Chinese herbs and honey https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...7336610e_b.jpgIMG_0480 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Tea and roasted almonds, Ging Sing on left https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/...2ec48611_b.jpgIMG_0481 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Good Food https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...54c8c839_b.jpgIMG_0484 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...434c71d0_b.jpgIMG_0486 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...c442f4b4_b.jpgIMG_0487 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...50744687_b.jpgIMG_0488 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The village market area https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/...be432b55_b.jpgIMG_0490 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Were I had food Stayed there for a while and on the way back I stopped of at the Pha Sua Waterfall, quite disappointed actually as there was not much water. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/...5a3d3861_b.jpgIMG_0500 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...8a33472b_b.jpgIMG_0503 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Think you can just see the water From there I came back into Mae Hong Son and visited Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu (Temple on the hill in Mae Hong Son). There was a great view from up there over looking Mae Hong Son and the Airport https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/...74ddd3b4_b.jpgIMG_0506 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/...d7bf79fe_b.jpgIMG_0507 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/...667a0062_b.jpgIMG_0508 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/...ebcfc828_b.jpgIMG_0514 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Back to the room and out to the bar I was in last night for a well earned Beer and sit and do this report Some other pics from the day https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...f485ebe4_b.jpgIMG_0504 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/...a1c56e76_b.jpgIMG_0499 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/...31ced589_b.jpgIMG_0495 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...5eae9da5_b.jpgIMG_0496 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/...e3da00cd_b.jpgIMG_0494 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/...9d2a8f6f_b.jpgIMG_0469 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7573/...e986f3b0_b.jpgIMG_0471 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...da762542_b.jpgIMG_0475 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/...c1806a02_o.jpgIMG_0473 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Its not complete without a selfie:rofl: Wayne |
Nice pics and report Wayne! Its a little pearl up in the hills that village.
"Crossroads" for beer I presume.......:innocent: Lod cave and Pai tomorrow? |
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Yeah 'Crossroads' :clap: I do not know yet, i was looking at doing the northern route as over the mountains towards Fang. Will look at it later once I have had another beer and some food Just so you don't feel like your missing out:rofl::rofl::rofl: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...e560c57d_b.jpgIMG_0518 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
Hey! I just arrived in Mao son as well! And had a beer in crossroads :rolleyes: I rode from Chiang Mai on a scooter!
Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory. |
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Sent you a PM |
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A great little spot there, to watch the world go by & the food isn't half bad either.bier Hey Lonerider, how come I'm not reading of your daily massages ??? When in Thailand, I make it a daily ritual, but then, maybe I'm getting waaaay too soft from all the massage oil doh |
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There is time yet :funmeteryes: Wayne |
Day 6 Mae Hong Son to Pai
Had a steady ride today from Mae Hong Son to Pai.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/...7a5d38e0_b.jpgDay 6 Mae Hong Son to Pai by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...1eb27618_b.jpgDay 6 Mae Hong Son to Pai 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Set off about 0815hrs and took it nice and easy stopping to take some photos and my daily on the road ritual at stopping somewhere on route and grabbing breakfast….bonus, no rice had noodles instead, it was really tasty. It was done with beef and spices :thumbup1: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...431d1e65_b.jpgIMG_0521 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/...08137f97_b.jpgIMG_0522 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/...1b235a7e_b.jpgIMG_0523 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Breakfast spot and food The roads were up to there usual standard of lots of bends and curves to keep you concentrating. Also lots of scenery and great views https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...b609687b_b.jpgIMG_0525 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/...86377a39_b.jpgIMG_0527 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...213229b9_b.jpgIMG_0529 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...9de087b9_b.jpgIMG_0531 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...8347cb4b_b.jpgIMG_0533 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/...7f6cd0df_b.jpgIMG_0534 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/...d6ef0357_b.jpgIMG_0535 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...3d55d53d_b.jpgIMG_0536 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Got myself a room, like a little Chalet type thing, quite nice and managed to get it for 400 Bht with a fan a night, staying for two nights. Pichai House, coords from the Montanna N19.21421 E098. 26402. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/...4c5bf7d5_b.jpgIMG_0538 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...56fdd90d_b.jpgIMG_0539 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...b75a9bdc_b.jpgIMG_0540 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Going to ride local tomorrow as there are lots of things to visit in and around the area, Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Pai Canyon. So I should have a good day :clap: Just done the report in record time, internet is good Wayne |
Day 7 Pai area
The second day in Pai, set off for a bit of a look round at about 0900hrs.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/...9d4364ce_b.jpgDay 7 Pai area by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/...b59d1981_b.jpgDay 7 Pai area 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr On route I passed a Elephant Village on some back road, the village was a Karen Tribe village. I was good to see the Elephants out and about. I took a few track on my route but some were dead ends and others were blocked by Elephant tours but it was good to get off road for a bit to have a play. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/...3f9a2f35_b.jpgIMG_0550 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...74ca2e7d_b.jpgIMG_0552 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...21f2a4f7_b.jpgIMG_0593 by Wayne 66, on Flickr First stop was the World War 2 Memorial Bridge just to the south of Pai, it was a good sight to see and a little bit like the Bridge over the River Kwai. Coords from the Montana, N19.17869 E098.27890 https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...bfa47cdd_b.jpgIMG_0555 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...1e948a6a_b.jpgIMG_0554 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...291bed41_b.jpgIMG_0556 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...bd32f41b_b.jpgIMG_0557 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Then it was a sorted to Pai Canyon, very nice and scenic. There were some narrow paths to walk along with some very steep drops at either side of you. Good place to visit. Coords from the Montana N19.18283 E098.27185 https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...72c48bd6_b.jpgIMG_0560 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...952be10f_b.jpgIMG_0561 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...5dc1f769_b.jpgIMG_0564 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/...227c770b_b.jpgIMG_0567 by Wayne 66, on Flickr After walking into the Canyon I was getting a bit hot with wearing my bike gear so it was off to Pai Hot Springs, as I pulled up I suddenly became very popular, 3 women accosted me in the car park, not that I minded :rofl::innocent:, they wanted their photo taken with me, its not the first time but it was the first time I got them to return the favour :thumbup1: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...2b321ee1_b.jpgIMG_0569 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Mr Popular, haha! It was really good and once I had spent a bit of time walking around I went in the water for half an hour or so. The water was about 36 degrees C, very relaxing. I looked like a prune when I got out :rofl: Cost was 200 Bht, Coords from the Montana N19.18432 E098.2856. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/...df56da4c_b.jpgIMG_0590 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...82c55303_b.jpgIMG_0572 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/...102cc0a9_b.jpgIMG_0577 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/...3bb42fa7_b.jpgIMG_0574 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...3d6e628a_b.jpgIMG_0578 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/...857633d1_b.jpgIMG_0582 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/...402e13c1_b.jpgIMG_0585 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Allegedly you're not allowed to boil eggs in the water Back on with the bike gear and back to Pai I have spent a fair bit of time in the Pai Pub, which is about 2 doors down from where I am staying and is where I am sat now doing this report. Music food and internet are great The bar is owned by a Aussie guy called Rowan, he has made me feel very welcome and would recommend to anyone. He also does rooms although I only found out after getting mine. He is a biker and easy to get on with. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...52d74f6f_b.jpgIMG_0594 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Pai Pub https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...e632bf69_b.jpgIMG_0595 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Nice little 125 Cafe Racer, think he said it cost him about $60 Wayne |
Video from Day 7
Just a couple of videos
The World War 2 Bridge and just having a play about (but got stopped by an Elephant :oops2: ) https://flic.kr/p/qsJwmK https://flic.kr/p/qbbvVu Wayne |
Day 8 Pai to Fang, but then a change of plan
Set off today with the intentions of going to Fang for the night before moving on to Chiang Rai
Things did not go according to plan. :oops2: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...437c1dd2_b.jpgDay 8 Pai to Fang, then on to Chiang Rai by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/...0c58f509_b.jpgDay 8 Pai to Fang, then on to Chiang Rai1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I set off at about 0815hrs towards Fang. The road was up to the usual standard of twists and turns with great scenery. Some of the switchbacks were that sharp my Montana was having a fit and thought I was turning round therefore it was shouting in my ear ‘Recalculating, Recalculating’. There was a lot of mist this morning and it was cold, that clod my hands were going numb. As I climbed higher I came out off the mist and it to the sun, although it was warmer it was still a bit nippy :freezing: As you can see from some of the photos the mist looked like a thick blanket of cotton wool in some place as I was looking down on it https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/...2f3c64e7_b.jpgIMG_0615 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...5db63a6e_b.jpgIMG_0617 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/...b62bf49d_b.jpgIMG_0619 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/...e3c3ab48_b.jpgIMG_0620 by Wayne 66, on Flickr As I started to drop down a bit further I came a across a nice looking coffee stop. Had a Latte to warm me up and Strawberry fruit slice, very nice indeed. Then the woman behind the counter gave me a free cup of tea, she must have thought I need it……I did :thumbup1: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...8deac63e_b.jpgIMG_0622 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/...660c8126_b.jpgIMG_0623 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7562/...6473a75f_b.jpgIMG_0624 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...432e1a3b_b.jpgIMG_0625 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Once I got to Fang I had a ride round, because as I was riding in the first impressions were not good…my assumptions were good and it wasn't very good, I only saw one decent hotel and there was not a great deal in the town. I had a decision to make, stay in Fang or carry on to CR :helpsmilie: CR it was, So I travelled about 5 clicks back in the direction I had just come from then turned onto the 108, straight on to a long straight road, I was hoping that this wasn’t it for the next 100 k’s give or take. I wasn’t disappointed, after about 5 K’s the bends started, it was one of the better roads I have been on :thumbup1: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...09f16664_b.jpgIMG_0627 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/...8f4ede67_b.jpgIMG_0628 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/...5dbf59a6_b.jpgIMG_0631 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...7739b1cf_b.jpgIMG_0633 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/...c5cb11bb_b.jpgIMG_0635 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...cef2039d_b.jpgIMG_0637 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...65829969_b.jpgIMG_0642 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/...b93c7d0f_b.jpgIMG_0644 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/...0c2a60e3_b.jpgIMG_0646 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Eventully got to CR at around 1500hrs and stopped for a drink and used the HUBB and Rideasia.net to find a room, Settled on the Red Rose from the Rideasia site, they have themed rooms. Awesome, and all for the sum of 500 Bht or 10 GBP. Coords N 19.53601 E 099.49779 Staying here for at least 2 nights, maybe 3 as there are a couple things I want to do. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...ce75e1f3_b.jpgIMG_0649 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The rooms https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/...9619c9e9_b.jpgIMG_0650 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/...08a8174b_b.jpgIMG_0651 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/...b804879f_b.jpgIMG_0652 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/...542e0bac_b.jpgIMG_0653 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/...1671d244_b.jpgIMG_0655 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
Bwahahaha
Love the room Lonerider, but if you are in the karaoke room, we don't wanna hear about it OK :rofl: Great pics once more :clap::thumbup1: |
Day 9 Chiang Rai local
Stayed local round CR today and visited 2 temples
The Black House (Temple) or Thawan Duchanee is about 10 K’s north of CR, coords E19.99202 E99.86035 It is a bizarre temple but well worth a visit. It reminds me of more of an Occult Temple rather than one to worship a Budda. It was very interesting walking around, and you must look at the toilet! A bit strange I know but it was filled with Phalic symbols, :helpsmilie: brought tears to my eyes just looking! :innocent: I would recommend it anyone visiting the area, and considering its a Sunday it wasn’t very busy. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/...53ac39da_b.jpgIMG_0675 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/...ec0c81f3_b.jpgIMG_0676 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...b34f9521_b.jpgIMG_0678 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/...0b0bca21_b.jpgIMG_0681 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...96a5e678_b.jpgIMG_0685 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/...e9e7f034_b.jpgIMG_0695 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/...09a5d96e_b.jpgIMG_0701 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Toilet https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...1ef164a9_b.jpgIMG_0702 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Phalic Symbols https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/...94743dfc_b.jpgIMG_0709 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/...9fc92df9_b.jpgIMG_0711 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...60dc1a56_b.jpgIMG_0714 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7556/...e0724892_b.jpgIMG_0727 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/...e3babac5_b.jpgIMG_0734 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...63e99462_b.jpgIMG_0747 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/...483dd8e8_b.jpgIMG_0755 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The White Temple or Wat Rong Khun is about 10 K’s south of CR, coords N19.82399 E99.76388 Again I would recommend this if you are coming to CR. It is quite a new build compared to some of the other Temples in the area but the work that has gone in to it is very good. The main hall has a budda in it but you cant take photos inside, and its shoes off before you go in. There are also a lot of tourist type shops to look in as well as a very small museum, where at the end you can watch the craftsmen working. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...8244cc32_b.jpgIMG_0763 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...43f5462c_b.jpgIMG_0765 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...04cb4ea0_b.jpgIMG_0770 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/...f794c822_b.jpgIMG_0772 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7562/...1b83abc3_b.jpgIMG_0773 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...d42cc380_b.jpgIMG_0779 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...f44d0a57_b.jpgIMG_0785 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/...03fec363_b.jpgIMG_0793 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...53771527_b.jpgIMG_0796 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/...e8407393_b.jpgIMG_0797 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...6bf7f8d1_b.jpgIMG_0801 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Going to chill for the rest of the day and go to the cinema Wayne |
Fang isnt the centre of the world but there are a few places that have rooms for rent. Isnt that easy to find though. The last time I was in the area I actually choose to stay in Tha Thon. More places to stay in and more restaurants. Nice area by the river.
You can ride all along the mountan ridge that is the border to Burma north of Fang/Tha Thon. Doi Mae Salong, Doi Thung and all the way up to Mae Sai. Anyhow - you still seem to find most of the nice spots by your selv.... :-) |
Day 10 Chiang Rai local area
Had a good relaxed day today, but still went out for a bit of a ride. I did some tracks just to the NW of Chiang Rai. Just nice and steady, nothing too strenuous as I was on my own. All the same it was enjoyable.
Setting of for further up north tomorrow and passed the Golden Triangle area. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/...c6afd11b_b.jpgDay 10 Chinag Rai local area by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/...c1192b3d_b.jpgIMG_0667 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/...3fba94f9_b.jpgIMG_0669 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/...0716cfc7_b.jpgIMG_0672 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/...b8e7062c_b.jpgIMG_0673 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/...7d9a50e7_b.jpgIMG_0804 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/...74e71546_b.jpgIMG_0803 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Local views round CR Also visited the Central Plaza again where I went to the cinema last night and had some good Japanese food https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...981a7791_b.jpgIMG_0805 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai
Had a steady ride to Mae Sai today.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...3756c40d_b.jpgDay 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...28c61de9_b.jpgDay 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I didn’t go straight up north on route 1, instead I took a more scenic route going north east on the 1232 the on to CHR 4013. I stopped along side the River Kok for a while. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...b655f88b_b.jpgIMG_0806 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/...7fa218d7_b.jpgIMG_0808 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...1fb14bc7_b.jpgIMG_0809 by Wayne 66, on Flickr From there I crossed the River Kok and went on to the CHR 4050. This took me on to the 1209. Once I got on to the 1098 I came across a really nice Temple area, Wat Muen Budda Mettakhunaram Coords from the Montana N20.16547 E99.99552. There was a massive Budda sat on top of a large mound. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...cb121211_b.jpgIMG_0812 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...39e31aca_b.jpgIMG_0813 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...827076ef_b.jpgIMG_0814 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...c49cba08_b.jpgIMG_0816 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...cb4f278c_b.jpgIMG_0819 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Where the 1098 meets up with the 1016 I stopped for my breakfast in Ban Nong Khrok, had a really nice noodle soup, noodles and offal in a soup mix, sounds disgusting but it tasted good. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/...e8d10001_b.jpgIMG_0821 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...39bc21a4_b.jpgIMG_0820 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Then it was on to the CHR 4001 heading in a northerly direction still I picked up the CHR 1009/1290 straight in to Mae Sai All in all not a bad route and it was a lot better than sitting on a main road. Once in Mae Sai it was coffee time and a chance to look for some accommodation. Looked on the usual sites and decided on Kong Kam House, from the rideasia site, coords from the Montana N20.44442 E99.88199, a nice room for 500 Bht https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/...6b623ef5_b.jpgIMG_0823 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...e09f4885_b.jpgIMG_0824 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...20f0f777_b.jpgIMG_0825 by Wayne 66, on Flickr General Pics of Mae Sai https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/...a757748f_b.jpgIMG_0826 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Looking at the border with Myanmar https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/...617d25bc_b.jpgIMG_0828 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...b17b9db5_b.jpgIMG_0832 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Border Gate https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...7e055d5e_b.jpgIMG_0833 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Looking back from the border gate https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...1165365c_b.jpgIMG_0836 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8567/...0fcacb25_b.jpgIMG_0835 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...bcfde978_b.jpgIMG_0838 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Just had to...it was waving at me :rofl::D Wayne |
Still in Mae Sai
Went out for a wander and came across Wat Phra That Doi Wao at the top of a lot of steps. It was worth going to the top and having a look. There is a good view once you get up there, so its well worth the climb. There is a road if you are on a bike or in a vehicle.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...676dc888_b.jpgIMG_0839 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The steps up https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8579/...3204441d_b.jpgIMG_0840 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Looking back down https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...eda4e5a6_b.jpgIMG_0843 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/...e4689723_b.jpgIMG_0842 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...307b21a6_b.jpgIMG_0845 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/...da6cca8f_b.jpgIMG_0847 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/...e73f264d_b.jpgIMG_0848 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...0231d887_b.jpgIMG_0853 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I don't know what the scorpion has to do with the Temple https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/...ca1d51ff_b.jpgIMG_0855 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Myanmar https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...f2242a1c_b.jpgIMG_0856 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Thailand (you can see the border crossing point with the blueish roof on the left) https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...99fb582e_b.jpgIMG_0854 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
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Just doing some catch up reading after a few mad days at work doh
Merry Christmas to you Wayne & once again, thanks for taking us along for the ride & safe travels to you :scooter::thumbup1: |
Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong Pt1
I have had a really good day today and seen some really great sights.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/...68ed7a5e_b.jpgDay 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/...ccb13a83_b.jpgDay 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I didn’t go straight down the 1290 instead I took a lot of back roads and followed the Ruak River keeping it on my left, this was one a little road which ran between the CHR 1041 and the 1290. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...be883406_b.jpgIMG_0859 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/...a2076180_b.jpgIMG_0862 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/...579b6fb7_b.jpgIMG_0864 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/...2a8c60a9_b.jpgIMG_0865 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Eventually I had to take the 1290 and I passed through a village called Ban Wang Lao, just through the village I climbed a hill to look at the view and take some photos https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...2a79579d_b.jpgIMG_0867 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...59519959_b.jpgIMG_0868 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Ban Wang Lao in the distance https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/...76c1c6a8_b.jpgIMG_0869 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/...0ffddf9f_b.jpgIMG_0870 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/...9c006e58_b.jpgIMG_0871 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/...d076a39b_b.jpgIMG_0875 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The first view of the mighty Mekong River Then it was on to the Golden Triangle area on the 1290, me and the trusty CRF made it after covering 2000km what a journey it been so far and the journey is still only half way through. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/...8913f142_b.jpgIMG_0878 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Where the Ruak River meets the Mekong River https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8578/...6eafeec3_b.jpgIMG_0883 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...c1c5a5b9_b.jpgIMG_0885 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Golden Triangle https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...c79b51ab_b.jpgIMG_0886 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Laos https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/...39ab9da7_b.jpgIMG_0887 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8637/...c84944ab_b.jpgIMG_0893 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Myanmar on left and Laos on right https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/...3e6f6fb0_b.jpgIMG_0894 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/...9eb0fc6b_b.jpgIMG_0897 by Wayne 66, on Flickr to be continued due to not being able to put all pics on one reply :rofl: Wayne |
Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong Pt2
Back on the 1290 all the way to Chiang Saen where I stopped and had some breakfast, a nice American Breakfast (as they called it), not a bad spread for a couple of quid.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/...33519534_b.jpgIMG_0898 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Once out of Chiang Saen I ended up on the 1129 for awhile before going on to the CHR 4007 following the edge of the Mighty Mekong River as close as I could over my left shoulder Came across this Wat/Temple on a hill, couldn't find a name, but what a view from the top https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...22f7b2aa_b.jpgIMG_0905 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...027f4988_b.jpgIMG_0908 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...846e9e6b_b.jpgIMG_0910 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/...279e1b4f_b.jpgIMG_0914 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...826863e7_b.jpgIMG_0917 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...db82f587_b.jpgIMG_0918 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/...04a1dc7e_b.jpgIMG_0919 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...36c657c5_b.jpgIMG_0922 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/...52f58671_b.jpgIMG_0932 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...77d78073_b.jpgIMG_0939 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Getting the boots wet in the Mekong River I stayed on the CHR 4007 till I got back to the 1129 and visited a Coffee House/ Restautant called The View, coords N20.34001 E100.3741, and yes it was a great view. So I sat and chilled with a small Singar looking across the Mekong River looking into Laos. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...89eaa214_b.jpgIMG_0948 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...a341f06a_b.jpgIMG_0944 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/...b2e0d9c0_b.jpgIMG_0942 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...c3b2559c_b.jpgIMG_0943 by Wayne 66, on Flickr A beer with a view of Laos Once I had left there it was a 9km run into Chiang Khong https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7562/...11e90406_b.jpgIMG_0927 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...87aca154_b.jpgIMG_0928 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I had already done my research on places to stay and opted for the Nam Khong Riverside Hotel, from the Rideasia site, a room with a great view, sat on my balcony over looking the Mekong and looking into Houayxay in Laos and I think I can see the old French Fort that I want to visit when I get over there. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...3254d7c9_b.jpgIMG_0949 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...30340860_b.jpgIMG_0952 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...27b9729d_b.jpgIMG_0956 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The view from my balcony for Christmas Day Chilling here now for the rest of today and Christmas Day, moving on on Boxing Day to go to the Border Crossing for Laos. Then I will see if my paperwork works!? Wayne |
Day 13 Chiang Khong
Sat relaxing, looking across the river into Laos. Just compiled a little video of some views along the Mekong River on my way to Chiang Khong
https://flic.kr/p/quoyUj Wayne |
Still Chiang Khong
Had a great Christmas Day. I spent it at The Hub Pub, the Pub is owned and run by a guy from Liverpool called Alan and his wife May, as well as the pub they also have a hostel next door to the pub. It was a day when total strangers, including some locals just had a good time eating and drinking
I was made to feel welcome, the hospitality of Alan and May was great If you are in the area I would recommend popping in for food, drink, or a good old cheap bed for the night https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...5c968cbb_b.jpgIMG_0976 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/...264c0721_b.jpgIMG_0975 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...75d8fd59_b.jpgIMG_0977 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Alan https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...dd301f95_b.jpgIMG_0978 by Wayne 66, on Flickr May https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7562/...a9d4f438_b.jpgIMG_0979 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...73d64770_b.jpgIMG_0983 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/...e2723bbe_b.jpgIMG_0981 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...e89f91ac_b.jpgIMG_0988 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Coords Wayne |
Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng
Woke up to this, this morning, a good view before a good days ride.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...580cf6f0_b.jpgIMG_0990 by Wayne 66, on Flickr What a ride I had today through some great countryside and mountain climbs with lots of bends. https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7566/1...11a1bbc6_c.jpgDay 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7536/1...93371a53_c.jpgDay 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I set off from Chiang Khong at around 0815hrs as I knew it was going to be a long day to get to my destination Chiang Klang, but I ended up in a place called Thung Chang From Chaing Khong is took the 1020 then I went on to the 1155 which was a really good road through the mountains with some terrific views. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/...8fd52499_b.jpgIMG_0991 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8591/...0e440f7c_b.jpgIMG_0994 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...f82217f3_b.jpgIMG_0996 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/...1a68db14_b.jpgIMG_0998 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...8ed5418c_b.jpgIMG_0999 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I went into Thoeng to visit a guy from the Netherlands who lives in the area, I have been in touch with him from the Rideasia site, I had some very nice coffee and some Christmas bread and his hospitality was great, Thank you Brake034. Once I has left his house I used the 1021 and then the 1148, again through the mountains, towards Chiang Klang, https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8628/...f5688671_b.jpgIMG_1003 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...c4ced936_b.jpgIMG_1005 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...00ae2489_b.jpgIMG_1008 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/...89df10d8_b.jpgIMG_1012 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/...3a7e160c_b.jpgIMG_1013 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...72346000_b.jpgIMG_1020 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...bf150ee6_b.jpgIMG_1022 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...a230f79a_b.jpgIMG_1023 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I did my usual ride through the little town to see what was happening , not a lot, as I could not find any place to sleep in Chiang Klang or and good eateries I decided to push on a bit further and I needed fuel and I got a petrol station from the Satnav which was a bout 2 k’s away. After that was a place called Thung Chang which after sitting and having a Mocha Frappe and asking for hotels I managed to get the place where i am now, The Nice Bungalows in Thung Chang....coords N19.41831 E100.87993, not a bad room, got a bed and shower room with the all important Wifi. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/...561f49ca_b.jpgIMG_1025 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/...4e48fa5e_b.jpgIMG_1026 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Tomorrow is the short journey to the border and on into Laos, fingers crossed. Going to get there nice and early as I don’t know how long it will take to cross. Wayne |
Wayne,
I'm interested in what protective gear you are using on the trip and how comfortable you are finding it. From one of your recent photos, it looks like you have full body armour in addition to motocross boots and helmet. I plan to be out there this time next year and am starting to think about what riding gear I should take with me. Thanks, Craig |
Hi Craig
Yes mate I am wearing full motocross gear, I brought it across with me. Light weight motocross trousers and top, body armour is one of those mesh ones with the arm, breast and back protectors built in, I have also got some knee armour and of course motocross boots. The boots are great for riding but not very good for walking about in. Brought this rather than my RST touring stuff as it allows the air to blow through. I have been cold on a morning up north but nothing too bad, you have to take the rough with the smooth temperature wise. If there's owt else let me know Wayne |
Day 15 Thung Chang, Thailand to Sayaboury, Laos
Up and out early this morning so I could get to the border sooner rather than later the ride from Thung Chang to to the Thailand/Laos border crossing certainly woke me up, it was really cold and covered in mist in the hills, route 101 which took me straight in to the crossing was a nice road with lots of ups and downs with the usual bends and twists.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...0dced457_b.jpgDay 15 Thung Chang to Sayaboury, Laos by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/...7642a45e_b.jpgDay 15 Thung Chang to Sayaboury, Laos1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Once I got to the border it was already very busy, there was a market there also and a lots of people buying and selling goods. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/...65e44f49_b.jpgIMG_1028 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...168034b3_b.jpgIMG_1029 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...3e08a15a_b.jpgIMG_1030 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Customs Building Thailand I went straight to the departures window at the passport control and gave then my passport, arrivals card and the copies of the paperwork given to me by the rental people. In return he gave me some paperwork to fill out which was something to do with me being allowed back in with me taking one of there bikes out of the country. One of the guys behind the desk was f\very helpful and came outside to fill it in for me (sorted). Once that was done they stamped me out of the country and then sent me to customs with the other half of the paperwork I had with me. Again they were very helpful in the office and there was no messing about. I was given my customs paperwork, he pointed out that I have to be back in Thailand no later than the 25 Jan 15 or face a fine, and then told have a good trip. So armed with my passport, Information of Conveyance letter from Immigration and my Customs form I went down the hill to leave Thailand. No problems, I was waved through once they had seen all my paperwork. Got to the Laos Border, the guy there looked at all my paperwork and pointed out that they had put the 26 Dec on the Information of Conveyance letter and the correct date in my passport, the 27th So I was sent back to the Thai border to get it sorted. Back at the Laos Border post, I was this time let through. Went to the arrivals office where I had to get a visa on arrival, so after filling in an arrivals card and paying $35 I was given my Laos Visa for 30 days. Next up was customs, Gave them my passport and the Customs paperwork and Information of Conveyance letter from Thailand and in a few minutes I was given a green TIPV and parted with 200 Bht. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/...1209cf03_b.jpgIMG_1032 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Laos Customs in the wooden hut https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...bb5358a0_b.jpgIMG_1033 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Visa Office, Laos That was it all done, off I went to the last Laos Border control point where they checked my paperwork and I was them allowed through. I left a parting gesture of a unopened packet of Oreo biscuits which he was quite happy with :D :oops2: they drive on the other side of the road to Thailand. doh https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...2baccfc1_b.jpgIMG_1035 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The first photo inside Laos First stop was to find somewhere for breakfast and sort out where I was going to end up this evening. Found a nice little place on the right just down the road, had some good food and sorted myself out for the ride to Sayaboury along the 4A https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...29b4518a_b.jpgIMG_1036 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/...a160ea6c_b.jpgIMG_1037 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Breakfast The 4A was quite a good ride, it stared off quite a big, wide road then as it progressed just after the big Power Station it went on to a narrow road all the way to Sayaboury. It was very enjoyable with some stunning scenery. They do however like putting the stone chippings on the corners as I found out, it gave me a bit of a ar*e twitch the first time I came found the bend on to it. I was quite regular and you just got used to it. The villages I passed through high in the hills were great, kids and adults waving as you went through. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...7f744693_b.jpgIMG_1038 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Early 4A https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...963e8c02_b.jpgIMG_1039 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...1867a4b6_b.jpgIMG_1043 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...4d4ec0b8_b.jpgIMG_1044 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Later on the 4A https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/...3fb44ae2_b.jpgIMG_1045 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...d8ebfaed_b.jpgIMG_1046 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/...82d6fea8_b.jpgIMG_1047 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...3d64c7d2_b.jpgIMG_1048 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...7bfc6c73_b.jpgIMG_1051 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Got to Sayaboury at about 1430hrs, went to the bank to change some money, sat and had a cold beer with some spicy squid and rice while try to find some place to sleep. I went for a ride round and after trying a couple of places I eventually picked the Makee Guest House N 19.16078 E101.42769, the bike is parked round the side of the building out of the way. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...2b4e8dd5_b.jpgIMG_1053 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/...7714144f_b.jpgIMG_1056 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/...72125925_b.jpgIMG_1052 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
It is just glorious countryside there, great pics Lonerider :thumbup1:
Glad that the border gave you minimum grief, yet I suspected worse with a rental bike. |
Quote:
Wayne |
Day 16 Sayaboury to Luang Prabang
Had a nice and relaxed day today, I travelled from Sayaboury to Luang Prabang after spending a couple of hours trying to get to the Elephant Conservation outside Sayaboury. I could not find a track to get there, the only place I could find was a boat to take me across the lake but I was not willing to leave the bike overnight. So off I went to Luang Prabang.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7574/...ea709046_b.jpgDay 16 Sayaboury to Luang Prabang by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...b43d231d_b.jpgDay 16 Sayaboury to Luang Prabang1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I was a good ride and I took a leisurely pace stopping at quite a few villages on the way for a drink and a relax. Of course the breakfast stop was done, had a very good noodle soup with some rice and a plate of salad, tasty indeed. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/...a2fdf7a0_b.jpgIMG_1078 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The route I took was straight up the 4 and I crossed the newish bridge over the Mekong River, then I went back across to try and find the ferry, I went down to the waters edge where you could see vehicles had driven and waited, hoping that one of the boats would come across from the otherside, after waiting for about 20mins I gave up and continued on my journey. :thumbdown: The road got a bit pole holed in places and there was even places where the road was completely gone. but it kept it interesting. :D :funmeteryes: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...f82fe07f_b.jpgIMG_1061 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/...66c3c965_b.jpgIMG_1064 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...6c652e79_b.jpgIMG_1066 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/...17175d00_b.jpgIMG_1068 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/...1daf5d95_b.jpgIMG_1070 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/...90ee89a1_b.jpgIMG_1071 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...f077375d_b.jpgIMG_1073 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/...58db065d_b.jpgIMG_1075 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/...79ea4a26_b.jpgIMG_1076 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/...3093b062_b.jpgIMG_1077 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/...bb0615ec_b.jpgIMG_1079 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/...6ff5cd47_b.jpgIMG_1081 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Finally got to Luang Prabang and found the town centre, once there I had a bacon sarnie and a Oreo and banana milkshake whilst trying to get some accommodation. That was to prove a task in its self, i looked the HUBB and Rideasia sites and found some to go see, but everywhere was full, I took me over an hour to find a place, eventually I managed to get myself in to the Seng Phet Guesthouse N19.88892 E102.13245, a nice clean place with aircon, tv, hot water and a nice outside sitting area so you can watch the world go past. The bike was parked outside on the road till the evening then I was bought in to the sitting area at night and the gates are closed. There is also someone on all night. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...236b4ed2_b.jpgIMG_1083 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/...1c918b34_b.jpgIMG_1086 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/...ee26416f_b.jpgIMG_1087 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/...ffc9cbf0_b.jpgIMG_1088 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Staying local till after New Years Eve now Wayne |
Day 17 Luang Prabang
Relaxed day in Lauang Prabang
Visited Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham which had some old temple pieces and a newer temple. It also looked like it was a Monk school as there were some classrooms there. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...9586793f_b.jpgIMG_1095 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7538/...1dbb05d4_b.jpgIMG_1096 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/...3318ba1a_b.jpgIMG_1097 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7573/...b4e6372f_b.jpgIMG_1098 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...2cce471f_b.jpgIMG_1100 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...515f44f4_b.jpgIMG_1103 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/...da250f78_b.jpgIMG_1105 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/...55765602_b.jpgIMG_1106 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/...1fb48042_b.jpgIMG_1107 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...2b8e8eda_b.jpgIMG_1108 by Wayne 66, on Flickr From there I went on to visit Wat Pathouak which is set just below Phou Si Mountain. In the temple the walls are covered in a mural which is said to date to back to 1860 https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/...f2eb1fab_b.jpgIMG_1115 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...3ab64ee0_b.jpgIMG_1118 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I there I climbed Phou Si Mountain and visited That Chomsi and got some great views of the surrounding countryside and Luang Prabang. There was also an anti-aircraft gun from the Vietnam War perched on the hill https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...565a1617_b.jpgIMG_1124 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/...6d4c6a13_b.jpgIMG_1128 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/...1b5ecf63_b.jpgIMG_1129 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/...6c63a465_b.jpgIMG_1130 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/...1c8ebb95_b.jpgIMG_1133 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...c4cdec81_b.jpgIMG_1137 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/...2e9eca89_b.jpgIMG_1142 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/...a50af3a4_b.jpgIMG_1139 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...49d48449_b.jpgIMG_1138 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I can recommend the Lemon Grass Tea, very good indeed :thumbup1: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...c164f96c_b.jpgIMG_1114 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Another Temple on the main road in town centre Wayne |
Day 18 Kuang Si Waterfall and Trailing in Luang Prabang
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...07bdb1e6_b.jpgDay 18 Kuang Si Waterfall and Trailing in Luang Prabang by Wayne 66, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/...5cb1d368_b.jpgDay 18 Kuang Si Waterfall and Trailing in Luang Prabang1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Visited Kuang Si Waterfall, they are well worth a visit, cost 2000 Kip to park the bike which was watched by the guy who took the money and it cost 20,000 to visit the falls, worth the money, there is also a bear sanctuary which was good also, there bears were out and about and playing when I was there. Just before the falls there is a Butterfly farm but I did not visit it. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...72e7069f_b.jpgIMG_1146 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...955c7158_b.jpgIMG_1151 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/...1c041139_b.jpgIMG_1152 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/...ea35d7d9_b.jpgIMG_1153 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...d46f7a66_b.jpgIMG_1163 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7526/...75f16b4b_b.jpgIMG_1167 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/...0b740969_b.jpgIMG_1171 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...e1441859_b.jpgIMG_1177 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/...7e34a586_b.jpgIMG_1182 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...8f531b1e_b.jpgIMG_1191 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...b61196da_b.jpgIMG_1193 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Then went off road, met a guy from Denmark, forget his name, and we rode a great track, the track started off quite wide and then went into a really narrow close in track, this we followed for a lot of kilometres before coming out in Muang Nan and went our separate ways after a well earned rest and drink in the village. It made a really nice change to ride with someone rather than doing it on your own. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8628/...4fb7a508_b.jpgIMG_1195 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...48085aa7_b.jpgIMG_1201 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/...619c4ca6_b.jpgIMG_1202 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...3fc17fff_b.jpgIMG_1205 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/...738810c6_b.jpgIMG_1207 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...4960ee54_b.jpgIMG_1208 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/...a7cc76d9_b.jpgIMG_1210 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/...74d0d52f_b.jpgIMG_1212 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...c968b909_b.jpgIMG_1214 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
Format change
The coord format used could be hddd mm.mmm (degrees, decimal minutes) or hddd.ddddd (decimal degrees), I have now changed both the Garmin and Basecamp to hddd.ddddd for future posts as it seems to be the more popular
Sorry if there has been any confusion Wayne |
Day 19 New Years Eve /20 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
New Years Eve was spent with the family who owned the Guesthouse I was stopping in, it was a good night, lots of Laos food and lots of Laos beer, they made me feel really welcome as we ticked off the hours. It was a good night. There hospitality was great. There was a couple of younger lads there who spoke quite good English which was a bonus for me, and they were into their western music.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...efed4414_b.jpgIMG_1229 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...0b5752c1_b.jpgIMG_1230 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I traveled from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng today, I took the old road rather than the new, which was a longer route but the road was far better for bends and scenery https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8580/...64a6a22e_b.jpgDay 20 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...1537b9fd_b.jpgDay 20 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I set off at around 0815hrs and I took the 13N, The climbs and the valleys were great and the views wearisome of the best . It was about 150 mile but I took it nice and steady with lots of breaks and the obligatory stop for some food at about 1030hrs. I stopped in one of the hill top villages for the Noodle soup of the day which was very nice, I also had a coffee as I was a bit cold, in fact is was quite cold and my hands were starting to get a bit numb https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/...0d5685d0_b.jpgIMG_1243 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/...4c0b92d9_b.jpgIMG_1244 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...1fe7894b_b.jpgIMG_1245 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...3a8536cc_b.jpgIMG_1247 by Wayne 66, on Flickr As I left my food stop there were a group of Malasian riders went past on there big bikes, I latched myself on to the back and was the tailend charlie for about 30Km’s till they went left and I carried on right in a little place called Phoukhoun. But it was nice for awhile to have someone to follow and I was acknowledged by there rider in front more than once. Some of the views to be had are fantastic and I am getting close to saying that they are better than the views in Thailand. Once I got to Vang Vieng I did the usual and stopped for a drink after a drive through and looked for somewhere to stop for the night. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...8ab58038_b.jpgIMG_1232 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/...3b27374d_b.jpgIMG_1235 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...e194a662_b.jpgIMG_1237 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/...057c0eae_b.jpgIMG_1250 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/...e6faae96_b.jpgIMG_1251 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/...5ab26401_b.jpgIMG_1255 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...e6950c7d_b.jpgIMG_1257 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/...eb435b9f_b.jpgIMG_1260 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/...7b9c7461_b.jpgIMG_1261 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/...caaba910_b.jpgIMG_1273 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/...195a9128_b.jpgIMG_1275 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I went for Dok Khoun Guesthouse which I got for 200,000kip, when I questioned his price he did say its New Year?! Ummm it finished yesterday?! Not a bad room but had better during my travels. Coords N18.92602 E102.44854. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...50d842da_b.jpgIMG_1279 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/...ae45f9ac_b.jpgIMG_1280 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...bfd65901_b.jpgIMG_1281 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...b9259474_b.jpgIMG_1282 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I think I am going to stay for and extra day and have a bit of a play about in the local area, there are a couple of caves which might be worth a visit. Zzzzzzzz, the photos have taken about 3 hours to upload on to flickr, not the fastest, been and had food and still not done, haha Wayne |
interesting, keep it rolling!
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Wayne |
Love the waterfall pics Lonerider :clap: ok & some of the others too bier
What camera are you using out of curiosity ?? You know, the more I read your great journal, the more I am tempted to book a flight back over there & say "stuff work" :innocent: :scooter::laugh: |
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Wayne |
Day 21 Local Vang Vieng
Stayed local in Vang Vieng today and went on a bit of a ride, I took a track to the west of the town and just followed it. I eventually ran out of track at a village as I was trying to get round a big hill. so I turned back and took a fork in the road in another village and that took me on a loop. Great scenery and lots to see.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/...75bd16b0_b.jpgLocal Vang Veing1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/...9615e27f_b.jpgIMG_1284 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/...ac4e5663_b.jpgIMG_1285 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/...0281b2da_b.jpgIMG_1287 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...b822d34c_b.jpgIMG_1288 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...6e6835e1_b.jpgIMG_1289 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/...ae72ba2c_b.jpgIMG_1291 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/...984cc5da_b.jpgIMG_1293 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/...a87d0025_b.jpgIMG_1294 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/...c41c81e5_b.jpgIMG_1295 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8592/...fc32a0ac_b.jpgIMG_1299 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I stopped in one village where I had a drink and watched one of the village women weaving a skirt, it was good to see. They also made scarves and small blanket type things. She made it look so easy. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/...f4512ec6_b.jpgIMG_1305 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Sat with a beer in a restaurant whilst waiting for the photos to upload on to flickr. Its a good job I am thirsty as it may take awhile.....two and a half hours,not bad Wayne |
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Day 22 Vang Veing to Phonsavan
Set off today at about 0730hrs travelling from Vang Veing to Phonsavan and I don’t have a clue what happened as I did not end up following the route I had planned on basecamp the night before.
I ended up taking the 13N, the 9308, 9303, 5 then the 1D https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/...3788b47d_b.jpgDay 22 Vang Veing to Phonsavan by Wayne 66, on Flickr No Google map, its not playing on my Mac, tried a reinstall. What a journey it turned out to be, blocked routes, 80km detour, and 200km off road. The first 15km was on tarmac then it went onto unpaved road/track, the first 67km was covered in 2hours. At the 60 km I came to a military style check point, uniform and what looked like a single shot rifle, I wondered where the hell I was going, lots of sign posts in what looked like Chinese or Korean The GPS was going mad, at about the 63 km point I came across a mine type area, didn't stop for photos as there were people about. I was well in the middle of no where, I now no what Dr Livingstone felt like, but the GPS says still on right road haha. At about 67km I came across another Military CP which again I passed with no problems. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/...49716462_b.jpgIMG_1310 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/...64a004ee_b.jpgIMG_1313 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/...308b548f_b.jpgIMG_1316 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/...2d2968b5_b.jpgIMG_1320 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...a1d9defc_b.jpgIMG_1322 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/...d77461cc_b.jpgIMG_1324 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...3d47917f_b.jpgIMG_1325 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Further on down the road I met 2 guys Fransiour and Craig they said I was riding through what was once a restricted area and was used by the CIA in the Vietnam War. It was a tough route but very enjoyable. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/...1df4ddff_b.jpgIMG_1326 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...ba202f7a_b.jpgIMG_1332 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...aa07ba95_b.jpgIMG_1334 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...9c65b08d_b.jpgIMG_1338 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...8346f2de_b.jpgIMG_1337 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/...5219449f_b.jpgIMG_1339 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Then things went a bit downhill, the road I was following became impassable there was a land slide in the road so I left the bike to see if it was passable, nope, had to turn round and with that I had to make a long detour of about 80km. Managed to get fuel in a little village called Ban Nam Gnone as I had already used my reserve cache. The CRF was supping fuel like no tomorrow with going up and down all the steep inclines and decents. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...692f4acb_b.jpgIMG_1344 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...81f7425c_b.jpgIMG_1347 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/...77aa5d31_b.jpgIMG_1351 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...572faa83_b.jpgIMG_1352 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/...4a7288d3_b.jpgIMG_1353 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I then got what I thought was a lucky break and hit some more tarmac, yeah, for all of about 18km’s then straight back into the jungle again haha. On route the track was blocked yet again this time there were some excavators clearing the way so me and a load of Laos people were sat waiting for them to finish, it was about 30 to 40 mins before we got going. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...369741f1_b.jpgIMG_1356 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/...4a7288d3_b.jpgIMG_1353 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/...e43cd02f_b.jpgIMG_1357 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/...aff94320_b.jpgIMG_1360 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/...766f277e_b.jpgIMG_1363 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...e17ffa76_b.jpgIMG_1364 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...5595b994_b.jpgIMG_1365 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...31ce8ef7_b.jpgIMG_1367 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I had drunk all my water in my Camelbak and was gagging for a drink so I stopped in this village in the middle of nowhere and they kindly gave me water and even let me take a pic before I move off again. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/...35ac2e55_b.jpgIMG_1368 by Wayne 66, on Flickr After 200.3km I finally got onto a proper tarmac road for the last leg into Phonsavan, which I got to at about 1730hrs Found the Nice Guesthouse, wifi, hot water, 100,000kip per night for a double room N19.45045 E103.21892 Wayne |
Day 23 Local around Phonsavan
Visited Site 1 of the Plain of jars, coords N 19.42577 E103.15878. Very interesting to visit. They had a little museum to tell you all about the jars and a little bit about the Vietnam War in the area, they reckon over 270 million bonds dropped in Laos. There were still a lot of trenches visible when you were walking round and also plenty of bomb craters. MAG had cleared bit of the area and you are advised to walk between the markers.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/...e42af1ec_b.jpgIMG_1369 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...52f576ac_b.jpgIMG_1371 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...71607956_b.jpgIMG_1370 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/...252b4c72_b.jpgIMG_1372 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...b4ae259a_b.jpgIMG_1374 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/...c714b2ae_b.jpgIMG_1376 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/...9e543763_b.jpgIMG_1377 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/...e1fa93f2_b.jpgIMG_1378 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/...953c6070_b.jpgIMG_1379 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/...145768f8_b.jpgIMG_1380 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...8c81b240_b.jpgIMG_1385 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/...fd2f59bd_b.jpgIMG_1388 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/...8d512652_b.jpgIMG_1394 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/...0c1c8603_b.jpgIMG_1390 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...c7332e5b_b.jpgIMG_1392 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/...4d6055ce_b.jpgIMG_1401 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I also visited the Vietnam War Memorial and the Laos War Memorial. The Vietnam one was in a very good state of repair but the Laos one had lots of graffiti over it. I would have thought if anything it would be the other way round https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/...1d400eb8_b.jpgIMG_1418 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/...d0f78e7b_b.jpgIMG_1417 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...5a973824_b.jpgIMG_1410 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/...de9cbf49_b.jpgIMG_1412 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/...be89f73c_b.jpgIMG_1413 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/...1b8ee6e1_b.jpgIMG_1414 by Wayne 66, on Flickr All the above is the Vietnam War Memorial https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...f495f737_b.jpgIMG_1419 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/...ab6bd37c_b.jpgIMG_1421 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The two above is the Laos War Memorial Wayne |
Day 24 Phonsavan to Nong Khiaw
Set off nice and early, it was about 0745 after I had filled up and filled my reserve bottles. The route was the 7N the on to the 1C all the way in to Nong Khiaw.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/...d334bf9f_b.jpgDay 24 Phonsavan to Nong Khiaw by Wayne 66, on Flickr It was a good steady road all the way except for the last 80km or so. Then it was very potholed and went from paved to unpaved every now and again. There were lots of nice villages to ride through, spent a lot of time waving when going through the villages. I think thats why I prefer being on a bike, in my opinion you are more attuned to the surrounding area. I got some great video of them and the surrounding countryside, yet again lots of stunning views to be had. Early on in the route I met with a lot of wet patches where the sun had not been on them and there was loads of diesel on the patch,in some places it was quite thick due to the trucks going slow up and down the hills. :funmeterno: Covered 372km today, but on the plus side I only have 110 to do tomorrow to get me to Oudomxay. :clap: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...88b61edd_b.jpgIMG_1429 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/...715e436f_b.jpgIMG_1431 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...192bebb4_b.jpgIMG_1432 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...010c0ccb_b.jpgIMG_1435 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/...25b1dc01_b.jpgIMG_1433 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...60b049e2_b.jpgIMG_1446 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...da82921d_b.jpgIMG_1447 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...ab8d0ddb_b.jpgIMG_1448 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...fd43eb53_b.jpgIMG_1450 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/...014c8b8c_b.jpgIMG_1453 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/...200e18b9_b.jpgIMG_1454 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I got to Nong Khiaw at about 1715, after numerous stops to chill, get fuel and eat and after a ride through the town I opted for the CT Guesthouse and restaurant, clean room, hot water and wifi. The bike is park in the owners drive with CCTV, with disc lock applied, coords N20.57020 E102.61657 https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/...ce734d4c_b.jpgIMG_1456 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...21ea2123_b.jpgIMG_1458 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...331c7049_b.jpgIMG_1459 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/...8d87999f_b.jpgIMG_1460 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
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Day 25 Nong Khiaw to Oudomxay
Nong Khiaw to Oudomxay,
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...2044afb7_b.jpgDay 25 Nong Khiaw to Oudomxay by Wayne 66, on Flickr I set off at about 0825hrs after I had topped up my fuel. The 1C/13N started off really nice with a lot of flowing bends with decent tarmac. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7573/...acb1fe5f_b.jpgIMG_1464 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...65cbd147_b.jpgIMG_1462 by Wayne 66, on Flickr So calm and peaceful Then! I then got to Pakmong, as I left there I went on to a really wide great piece of road, it was great for about 6k’s then I turned bad, through lots of roads works, chewing on loads of dust when trying to get past the lorries and buses which were on the route. Really narrow points where they are trying to build the road and a lot of heavy machinery, saying that I was surprised on how much was still done by hand. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...7cd435e3_b.jpgIMG_1468 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/...6599e7a1_b.jpgIMG_1469 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/...21261b89_b.jpgIMG_1470 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/...80becc61_b.jpgIMG_1471 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/...c843888d_b.jpgIMG_1472 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Between 50 and 60 kms there is a large rest stop area with a restaurant and a small shop, also toilets. I stopped there and had a coffee in a tin and got talking to some Westeners who were milling about in the bus stop, it turns out that the bus they were on (which I passed about a 100 meters down the road) had broken down and they had been stuck there for 5 hours. They were not happy, but I was, the sun was out and had my trusty steed . :D :innocent: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...681b924e_b.jpgIMG_1475 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/...dcacd7df_b.jpgIMG_1479 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/...6f0ac465_b.jpgIMG_1480 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...267855e5_b.jpgIMG_1481 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...8b1ea2cb_b.jpgIMG_1483 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...1c66143e_b.jpgIMG_1484 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/...fc82a2c3_b.jpgIMG_1487 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The road stayed pretty much very bumpy and dusty till I started to drop down the other side of the mountain towards Oudomxay then I was blessed with damp mud, it make the road like an ice skating ring and I could feel my wheels wanting to tuck from underneath me all the time I was on it. Thankfully made it down in one piece Finally the last 10 to 12 k’s was good tarmac again all the was in to town https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/...f7d804f0_b.jpgIMG_1489 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Lunch stop After stopping for food and a luke warm Lao dark I had a ride through town and settled on the Dokbouadeng Guesthouse, wifi, best I have had in about 6 days, 30 photos uploads to Flickr in half hour, thats a record since I have been in Laos, hot water is very good, very hot with a decent pressure, bike parked out the front, only downside is it could do with a good lick of paint, but everything else is probably best, coords N20.68781 E101.98650 https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/...2fd1a07c_b.jpgIMG_1493 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/...aed4548e_b.jpgIMG_1490 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...618f3651_b.jpgIMG_1491 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Took a walk into the town, the main road I am on is the town centre, visited the Phouthad Temple on top of a hill, not may good views of the town but the temple was ok https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/...4293e061_b.jpgIMG_1509 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/...a0801a7d_b.jpgIMG_1506 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/...1b66a081_b.jpgIMG_1505 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...09d1a74e_b.jpgIMG_1504 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...ea9d0e60_b.jpgIMG_1503 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...a4764315_b.jpgIMG_1499 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Also found this other guesthouse but I wouldn’t say, so they wouldn’t let me in!!?? Think about it!? doh https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/...25c5167c_b.jpgIMG_1498 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Not the kind of thing you want to be driving down the 1C/13N https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/...9fb8c3b6_b.jpgIMG_1497 by Wayne 66, on Flickr CLS 550 AMG Wayne |
A little bit of video
Now I have got some good internet I thought I would take the opportunity to post some videos of some on the roads/tracks I have been on
https://flic.kr/p/qGPQ9p The 1C from Phonsavan to Nong Khiaw https://flic.kr/p/qEPczf VV to Phonsavan on the 9303/9308 https://flic.kr/p/qqD3sT 1C/13N from Nong Khiaw to Oudomxay Distance covered so far 3997 km Wayne |
Day 26 Oudomxay/Day 27 Oudomxay to Ban Chom Ong part 1
Stayed in Oudoxmay for the day and just relaxed, had two massages as the first one didn’t seem like it had done the trick. Had the same girl twice and she was very good. I felt so much better after the second one. The remainder of the day was spent drinking Beer Lao and eating food.
I also took the bike for a good wash, the second of the tour. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/...46e25a91_b.jpgIMG_1495 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Set off at about 0815 hours after filling my now replenished reserve fuel bottle which I had lost the other day. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...453e2343_b.jpgDay 27 Oudomxay to Ban Chom Ong by Wayne 66, on Flickr I was travelling to Ban Chom Ong which is a homestay village. The route was very misty and I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t even know where it was. I was following a map which was give to me by the tourist information people, and I decided to go the long way round which was through about 8 to 10 villages till I got to Ban Chom Ong. After getting a bit lost on the way as there were loads of tracks and in some places I was not even on a track according to the OSM mapping on my GPS, but its all part of the fun, so as and when I came across a different village I was asking the name of the village and then the way to Chom Ong. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8578/...49a4fc4a_b.jpgIMG_1516 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...1541d19d_b.jpgIMG_1517 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/...4f0fa9f2_b.jpgIMG_1518 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...452a8885_b.jpgIMG_1519 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/...08376196_b.jpgIMG_1522 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/...3987f4d7_b.jpgIMG_1524 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The first river crossing off the day, watch this guy nearly loose it at it was quite deep in the middle https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...2a84cb75_b.jpgIMG_1525 by Wayne 66, on Flickr This second river I had just crossed and stopped to watch the trucks go through, it was very slippery https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...2f3e653a_b.jpgIMG_1526 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...53e96166_b.jpgIMG_1529 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...b483f32c_b.jpgIMG_1531 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/...4dcb49a5_b.jpgIMG_1532 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/...8d0fb9f0_b.jpgIMG_1535 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/...63f44a14_b.jpgIMG_1539 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...34376eb3_b.jpgIMG_1540 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Continued due to too many pics Wayne |
Day 26 Oudomxay/Day 27 Oudomxay to Ban Chom Ong part 2
I eventually got there for about 1130hrs, I was about 55 to 60 km the long way round, but I was not in any rush. Ban Chom Ong coords N20.70597 E101.78142.
Once I got there I stopped at a small shack in the middle of the village and started to ask about the homestay whist drinking a bottle of cold pop (soda). https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...19d7598f_b.jpgIMG_1542 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/...8b804a75_b.jpgIMG_1543 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The girl at the shack had a book with English phrases but nothing on the homestay, then all of a sudden she ran off, must have been the aftershave I was wearing, she disappeared into the village and came back with a young man, who I later found out was 19m and married to the girl who ran the shack. He ended up hosting me and spoke reasonable English. Sorted, time to go to my hut for the night. When I got to it it was a hut on stilts and inside were some thin mattresses and some quilts in a bag. Very Very basic and I was thinking what had I let myself in for….. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...6c646835_b.jpgIMG_1545 by Wayne 66, on Flickr My dwelling for the night https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...ac5314de_b.jpgIMG_1544 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...ee40a03f_b.jpgIMG_1547 by Wayne 66, on Flickr My host hung about whilst I unloaded the bike and got changed. Then it was back to the shack where we sat and drank cold beer Lao whilst his wife cooked some fried eggs with bits of chilli in them, we also had rice, the rice was just presented in a bamboo bowl and you just grabbed a hand full, literally. The egg was eaten with chopsticks. Whilst we were eating a couple of the villagers came up to see who the foreigner was, one of them was a teacher (28yrs old) who spoke good English so we had quite a good natter, at about 1400hrs I said I was going for a walk and I was also going to secretly check on the bike and all my stuff because nothing was locked up, there were no locks on the doors at all, Ummmm, I was a bit dubious about leaving all the electronics laying about, but I had no choice unless I sat with it all the time. As I got up to leave thinking that this is going to be a long day as I didn't even have any comms, my host said that he was going to a farty, I later found out it was his pronunciation of party, as the villagers were celebrating something, he did tell me what but, after a few Lao whiskeys it was all a blur……. So off we went further in to the village but closer to where I was staying, thankfully… When we got there it was packed out in the little area they were using, and I was shown to a wooden bench next to a table and sat down with all the other men. They made me feel right at home and involved me in all the days activities. The women served the men the beer and whiskey whilst the men ate, most of the food was in bowls but some of it was just on big leaves directly on the table, sticky rice, some kind of noodle thing, then a mix of pork and chicken soups with veg and other pork and chicken dishes, we all had a spoon each and the rest was just use you hands. I was quite taken aback by the way the women tended all the men, sorting the food, pouring the drinks etc. When the drink was being passed round you didn’t get your own cup, the cup started at the end of the line, the woman poured the ring, beer and or whiskey and you drank it, tipping the dregs on the floor and giving the cup back to the woman who then went to the next man. Once all the men had had their food they left the table and all the women and kids sat down to eat. By this stage I was in a group of about 10 Lao men of which a couple spoke reasonable English. I bought 5 bottles of beer Lao for the group which was well appreciated. Whilst we were eating men were singing and there was another guy on a key board. to be honest they sound really good, this continued all they way through the day/evening. When the women had eaten all the tables and benches were moved off the the side to make a dance floor…Ummm…when in Rome! I was sat drinking and smoking with the men and a village woman, probably in her early 20’s took a bit of a shine to me and kept asking me to dance, and feed me alcohol, all the men and women who were there were dancing and singing and having a really good time. Then they brought out some big clay urns filled with what looked like wheat chaff and other stuff, I later found out it was rice particals, with long bamboo straws sticking in them, and the villagers took it in turns to sit and fill up the urns with water, and keep them topped up. The stuff was like a wine and the straw was passed round the group sat round the urns. Whilst it was kept filled with water, it was quite potent stuff. More sing and dancing until it started to get dark, which was around 1830hrs. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/...0516e112_b.jpgIMG_1549 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/...07ab923e_b.jpgIMG_1550 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...1217f67b_b.jpgIMG_1551 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Food, spoons and more importantly the Lao Whiskey https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/...56d75121_b.jpgIMG_1552 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The guy in the blue denim jacket spoke ok English and the guy in the red sleeved shirt on the right was Ban Chom Ong's answer to Elvis when he got going https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/...4f649600_b.jpgIMG_1557 by Wayne 66, on Flickr One of the solitary cups being filled and passed round https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/...80b6bc69_b.jpgIMG_1560 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The woman in the pink jacket took a bit of a shine to me and kept asking me to dance (middle of pic) https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...af48cacb_b.jpgIMG_1565 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/...51791d49_b.jpgIMG_1567 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/...cfa2fca1_b.jpgIMG_1568 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/...c6ff0c9d_b.jpgIMG_1571 by Wayne 66, on Flickr My host https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...190bdd6b_b.jpgIMG_1577 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The dreaded wine Urns https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...124e66e9_b.jpgIMG_1582 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Sat round the Urns https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8628/...d530a283_b.jpgIMG_1564 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...51a66f09_b.jpgIMG_1576 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Urns and dancing My host then took me back to his home where I had more food, fish cooked on an open fire and sticky rice, only hands were used for eating, I was sat with his wife, brothers, and grandmother. Once we had eaten he took me back to my hut as I didn’t have a clue where I was as it was pitch black by this time. Once at the hut he went back home and I grabbed my torch and went back to the party which was dwindling down, my female friend had gone, more rice wine was in order before I stumbled back to the hut where I went straight to sleep, alcohol induced haha. What I thought was going to be long and boring day turn into an exceptional day/evening and I was made very welcome by all at the party. Well worth the time and very glad I decided to go. Wayne |
Day 28 Ban Chom Ong to Luang Namtha
Woke up with a cracking hangover, but had a good 9hrs sleep and sorted out my kit ready to pack the bike, this was at about 0630hrs, it was still dark outside, so glad I brought a torch with me
The plan was to ride to Phonsali today and then go further up north to the Chinese border. However when I went out side my initial thoughts came true as I could hear the noise on the roof of the hut, it was raining. In fact it wasn’t just raining it was lashing it down. Not good.. I had about 14km to do before I got on to some tarmac, what a hard 14 km it was. The track had turned to a slippery top surface of mud which yet again was like riding over ice. So very slowly and precariously I made my way along the track, had to do two river crossing, one of which was a straight ride through after a very slippery slope down to the water, how I didn’t end up in the river i’ll never know. The second was a wooden log bridge, the logs had been laid bank to bank and not side on, and there was big gaps in the logs, big enough for a tyre to fit between. So it was off the bike and keeping it in first gear I walked the bike across using the engine to move the bike along. Once cleared it was back on the very slippery track and heading for the 13N, that took me about and hour to do. Finally I got to the main road and by this time I was well and truly drenched and extremely cold. Bearing in mind I am only wearing my motocross gear, glad I was, more to come… I set the GPS to a road junction where I was then going to turn left and head for Phonsali, but… as I was going down the 13N towards the junction I was on a down hill stretch which was very twisty so I was only going very slowly as I could see diesel all over the place, any way I came slowly round this left hand bend and that that it the front went straight from underneath me, I went down quite hard but the bike used me as a cushion, thankfully, and we both slid down hill for about 10 feet before coming to a stop in a verge. Managed to get the bike off me and picked it up, Bike ok, just a scrapped clutch leaver, happy with that, I have got a bruised elbow, but the full body armour certainly did its job, the motocross shirt is a bit shredded so is off in the bin. So apart from a bruised elbow where it clattered against the elbow protectors, all it good. So I was now wet, cold and hurting. Got to the junction of the 13N and a road near Namotay and looked at the road, not good and I decided against traveling it. I am here to enjoy it and not do any unnecessary risk. So I set of for Luang Namtha a few days early. It was still 50k’s before I got there, and it was a long, wet, cold 50k’s. Eventually got here for about 1045hrs and rode up the main street looking for a place to get a room. I found the ManyChan Guesthouse and Restaurant N21.00251° E101.40943° on the main drag and went in to see if they had a room after having two coffees to try and warm up. I got a room, clean with luke warm water and wifi in the restaurant area. The poor lady in the Guesthouse was following me about with the mop as I was dripping water all over the place. Hot shower and food was in order. Then to plan what I am going to do next? Hence not many photos today https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...cf9e4893_b.jpgIMG_1586 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/...70a40fca_b.jpgIMG_1587 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...60ec5283_b.jpgIMG_1588 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...32d06e7c_b.jpgIMG_1589 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Wayne |
Day 29 Cold and damp in Luang Namtha
Spent it in Luang Namtha, it rained till gone 1200hrs and it was really cold, to top it all there was no hot water and we had a power cut till 1330hrs.
Went out for a walk and had a pizza across the road and he even had hot coffee on (thx again Bob), bonus! Gave me something to do whilst I watched the guys fix the power cables https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/...1d964774_b.jpgIMG_1591 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...8fed8df9_b.jpgIMG_1592 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...f2d34300_b.jpgIMG_1593 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7562/...45546ab1_b.jpgIMG_1594 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/...41768e79_b.jpgIMG_1595 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Seafood special, very tasty https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...3e5d044f_b.jpgIMG_1596 by Wayne 66, on Flickr I met a couple from the UK, Russ and Emma, they were very nice and we ended up spending the evening together in the guesthouse, chatting, eating and drinking. They didn’t know where they were going to next so we discussed where I had been and their options. It was nice to have a good light hearted conversation. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8616/...9d439416_b.jpgIMG_1597 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Russ and Emma Elbow is the size of a golf ball, glad to be resting up, gloves and body armour are still wet through, cant wait to put them on tomorrow. Wayne |
Day 30 Luang Namtha to Muang Sing
Gloves still drenched, glad I have another pair with me, nowt worse than soggy gloves, boots still wet also, Seal Skinz it is then, although the body armour has dried out.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...039ffc9f_b.jpgLuang Namtha to Muang Sing by Wayne 66, on Flickr Set off for Muang Sing via the NamDi (Dee) Waterfall N21.01496 E101.44214 and the That Phum Phuk Stupas N20.97172 E101.38046 Visited the Stupa first which was on top of a hill, looked for the road that went up to the top but couldn't find it so I ended up climbing the stairs to the top, not the best idea in Motocross boots. There was the old stupa which I think was partially destroyed when it had a bomb dropped on ti, and the new stupa in the usual gold colouring. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...f8855dfe_b.jpgIMG_1599 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...54050aef_b.jpgIMG_1601 by Wayne 66, on Flickr View from top of stairs https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...9c49a1cf_b.jpgIMG_1602 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/...c88f71d1_b.jpgIMG_1608 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...749899ff_b.jpgIMG_1604 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Next up was Nam Di, I was a bit disappointed in it after the Kuang Si Waterfall, the water looked clear coming down but then was a bit murky as it started to flow again and there was a long rusting pipe which you can see in the photos, aint got a clue what it was for, cost was 10,000 kip and 2,000 kip for the motorbike to be parked https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...e3365557_b.jpgIMG_1612 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/...4ee2fd60_b.jpgIMG_1613 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/...6262e6ae_b.jpgIMG_1615 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...69380b68_b.jpgIMG_1618 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/...b119183c_b.jpgIMG_1621 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Doing the washing in the river just after the waterfall It was good to get back out on the bike after resting my arm and sitting about for nearly 36 hours due to bad weather. The road (17A) was quite good all the way to Muang Sing and the Scenery was up to its usual standard, loads to look at. I stopped for my usual in the middle of nowhere breakfast in Ban Done Xay food was good, noodles with pork and veggies. Although the sun was not out for most of the journey it was a lot warmer than it had been over the previous two days. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...7421c7f0_b.jpgIMG_1627 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Ban Done Xay https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...b7ebf9fd_b.jpgIMG_1629 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/...8f156eb8_b.jpgIMG_1610 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...559688b7_b.jpgIMG_1622 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...04395a5b_b.jpgIMG_1623 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...3ce416f1_b.jpgIMG_1631 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...beae4e40_b.jpgIMG_1632 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...bd42824b_b.jpgIMG_1635 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...7f003213_b.jpgIMG_1638 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/...0742020d_b.jpgIMG_1642 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Just before I got to MS I took a bit of a detour to Ban Koum which is a distillery village, When I got there I had a ride round the village and as normal all the villagers were staring at me, I could not see any distilleries but thought I could smell it in the previous village I passed through, however I did meet a group of guys who where sat drinking some home brew at 1030 in the morning as I was riding passed the one with the home-brew beckoned me to stop, as I stopped he finished of his drink and poured me one, it was strong, thankfully I had only eaten an hour ago, so I got my smokes out and passed them round, much appreciated it was too, then we had more home-brew whilst taking about the bike, my GPS and the Go-pro, and they even passed for a photo https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/...4bb8626c_b.jpgIMG_1639 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...ef3ce3db_b.jpgIMG_1641 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Got to MS at about 1130hrs and had a coffee after the mediatory ride round, whilst having a brew I look for some accommodation, After riding around again I opted for the Anousone Guesthous at coords N21.19140 E101.15479. Wifi which is quite good, hot water which is luke warm but bearable and the bike is parked out front. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/...334a5c1f_b.jpgIMG_1644 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...f445d4ce_b.jpgIMG_1646 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/...97892c6b_b.jpgIMG_1647 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/...eea7d618_b.jpgIMG_1648 by Wayne 66, on Flickr There was not a lot to choose from in the town IMHO, it is a bit of a one horse town and nothing like the other places I have stopped. It is predominantly Chinese in the town with it being close to the border and most of the businesses are Chinese, including the Guesthouse I am in. Moving on again tomorrow to Houayxai. Wayne |
It has been great to catch up again after being on the road myself for the last few days.
Love the village interaction Lonerider, you really are doing it the way it should be done :thumbup1: Out of curiosity, what daily rate are you on with the bike? PM me if you want to keep it out of here bier |
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Eh up Wondered where you had got to, missed the comments haha Just had my hardest day yet Having food before looking for accommodation Knackered lol I payed 1000 Baht a day, which is about 20 GBP The village was awesome Wayne |
Day 31 Muang Sing to Houayxai
Set off quite early from Muang Sing, it was about 0730hrs as I knew it was going to be a long day. But I didn’t know how long or how hard!
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/...0ffe371d_b.jpgDay 31 Muang Sing to Houayxai by Wayne 66, on Flickr The road,17B, was Tarmac for about 18km then it went on to an unpaved road, it was good going with loads to see on route. Went through loads of Banana Plantations and then I finally turned left on to the 2483 and got my first sight of the Mekong River at 0920hrs, https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...46168507_b.jpgIMG_1650 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/...26ca05a3_b.jpgIMG_1652 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/...4a81e036_b.jpgIMG_1653 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...7c3c9e0a_b.jpgIMG_1657 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/...906cd0fe_b.jpgIMG_1660 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...509eed3a_b.jpgIMG_1661 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/...11bd2818_b.jpgIMG_1666 by Wayne 66, on Flickr River crossing, early on https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7465/...928935a4_b.jpgIMG_1670 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/...ec5f9d0c_b.jpgIMG_1672 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/...97f302b8_b.jpgIMG_1673 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...b8159c52_b.jpgIMG_1678 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/...ba337045_b.jpgIMG_1680 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Then it all went very hard for me indeed, the road, which I say in the loosest of terms went to a single track between point 1 N20.88651 E100.65087 and point 2 N20.81732 E100.52865. It was nightmare, I was literally having to fight my way through young bamboo plants, jungle, fallen trees and logs on the track, so much for it being a road. The mud on the track/road was very slippery and you could not use any speed at all, I had a bit of a slow motion moment where the front wheel went from underneath me, great, picked the bike up only to find the gear selector had snapped off, not happy, but on the bright side I could still change gear, thankfully. The rest of the horrible track i did with the broken gear selector. On the single track I had to negotiate two landslides, the first was a small gap which was on the edge of a 100/150 foot drop straight to the Mekong, the only thing breaking my fall would be the trees on the way down, and the only track which had been used was a Scooter track about a foot from the edge. Wet slippery mud, paddled may way across that, and got across ok, then came the next one about 2k’s down the track, this was an uphill climb of about 4 feet, I stopped and had a look at it, thankfully there was a bit of a flat top on the landslide so at least I could compose myself before going down the other side, another bad time, I was beginning to think why the hell am I doing this on my own, one wrong slip/move and i am in to the Mekong after and long drop. But thankfully I made it ok. Would I do that stretch again on my own…No. But saying that it was better than sitting on a boring tarmac road. After about 10k’s plus i came across and excavator which was clearing the track and making it wider, great, about time, haha. This made it a little easier going as the track was a little bit wider but it made it harder on the sloppier muddy sections due to him churning it up. Didn’t take any photos or video as that was the last thing on my mind. Eventually the track became a lot better and more free flowing. I had passed a couple of villages on route and was asking about getting the gear selector fixed, one of them being Ban Xiengdao N20.81468 E100.52652 which had a really nice Stupa and Temple https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/...3a6b2d74_b.jpgIMG_1681 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...cd69925b_b.jpgIMG_1682 by Wayne 66, on Flickr In all the villages I stopped at I kept hearing Meung Meung, and didn’t have a clue except it was a village. I eventually got to the village and got it welded back together at a bike place, N20.73103 E100.46026, great, at least now I could change gear properly. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...53224443_b.jpgIMG_1688 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Getting it sorted Once I left Meung ( as it is on the map) I followed the 2203 which was a nice unpaved road with a number of bad sloppy mud sections all the way to the 3, once on the 3 it was a good tarmac road to Houayxai. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/...3e891390_b.jpgIMG_1690 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...ff0e9d8b_b.jpgIMG_1691 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...43ddd1f9_b.jpgIMG_1692 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/...72b933f5_b.jpgIMG_1695 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...0b3ec993_b.jpgIMG_1699 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/...673316bd_b.jpgIMG_1704 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/...7ec76609_b.jpgIMG_1707 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/...eb1a9a67_b.jpgIMG_1708 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...170dd92d_b.jpgIMG_1710 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Once I got to Houayxai it was time to stop and have some food as I was in need of some sustenance. Whilst eating I got talking to some Lao men and one of them spoke a bit of English, so I asked him where there was a good place to stay with good wifi, he pointed me in the direction the the place where I am now, Friendship Guesthouse 2, good wifi, 43 photos uploaded to Flicker in about 45mins, and the hot water is ok, bike parked at front under the CCTV, coords N20.27176 E100.41343, 125,000 Kip per night https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...f0f513fd_b.jpgIMG_1713 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...7b1fec32_b.jpgIMG_1714 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...51c97c20_b.jpgIMG_1716 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...d1cd457d_b.jpgIMG_1715 by Wayne 66, on Flickr It was a really good day with lots of challenging parts if not scary at times. Wayne |
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Glad you survived the crappy section without too much grief:thumbup1: The thought of swimming the Mekong with a Honda necklace is not very inviting :nono: Those tyres also seem to be holding up quite well too :thumbup1: What brand are they ?? |
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The tyres are IRC Trails, I have done 2806 miles (4491 Km) on them up to now Wayne |
Day 32 Local in Houayxai
Stayed around Houayxai today and went for a walk in the morning.
In the afternoon I met up with Snakeboy from the site and we sat, drank coffee and had a good chat. We have arranged to go out riding tomorrow, going to the Laos side of the Golden Triangle. After he had left I went and visited Fort Carnot, it was good to go and visit although it was getting bit overgrown as you can see by the photos. There was quite a commanding view over the Mekong River and the town. It was a Legion Fort and was built in 1900 following the acquisition of Laos into French Indochina in 1893. On the way up to the Fort there is a bit of a Laos Military Barracks thing going on including the Bokeo Army Hospital and as you walked down the road the doors to the patients rooms were open and you could see people on drips and laid in their beds. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/...3783c306_b.jpgIMG_1746 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...e1cf869e_b.jpgIMG_1721 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Outside the Fort https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...7dbddf8b_b.jpgIMG_1722 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Main Entrance Tower https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...465e5e25_b.jpgIMG_1725 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...eb50c9c9_b.jpgIMG_1726 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/...673f983b_b.jpgIMG_1729 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/...43f0d1ca_b.jpgIMG_1733 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...8e8cfa32_b.jpgIMG_1745 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Inside the Fort https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/...87f8af5a_b.jpgIMG_1730 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/...f9026177_b.jpgIMG_1731 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/...c945c1b6_b.jpgIMG_1744 by Wayne 66, on Flickr The Tower you can go to the top of https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...948501ee_b.jpgIMG_1736 by Wayne 66, on Flickr View from the first floor in the tower https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/...5f3d40b7_b.jpgIMG_1737 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/...50e7c8fa_b.jpgIMG_1738 by Wayne 66, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/...e1295722_b.jpgIMG_1740 by Wayne 66, on Flickr Views from the top Wayne |
Sounds like ur having a great time Wayne. Great blog mate :thumbup1:
Those narrow tracks with big drop offs sound a bit hairy but I'm sure it was worth it. Shame ting tong had gone home early from that party you went to in that previous village ha ha ... could have eased the aching wrist :innocent: Ride safe mate Bones |
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Wayne |
Another video
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Short Video of Route 2483
Short Video of Route 2483 after going over the landslides and through the thickest vegetation
https://flic.kr/p/pQUhGA Wayne |
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