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.

WP_20141103_001 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

WP_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 , oh well, someone has to do it. No more and , 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

Hotel BKK by Wayne 66, on Flickr


Hotel BKK 2 by Wayne 66, on Flickr


Hotel 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 )


Wayne

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The Balkans
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