Lonerider in Northern Thailand and Laos

[Lonerider]

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

[Lonerider]

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

IMG_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

IMG_0060 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0050 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
My daughter on the top Wat Arun with the city of BKK in the back ground

IMG_0055 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Looking down on a Temple from Wat Arun

IMG_0030 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
A favourite place of mine in BKK, Soi 4, Sukhumvit

[Blommetje]

Ayuthaya is where I'm now. Also really nice! And not far from Bangkok.

Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory.

[Lonerider]

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

[metita]

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

[Lonerider]

Had a good relaxed day, and then went to Soi Cowboy for food, drink and a good old fashioned look
IMG_0072 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0071 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
Snoopy invasion for Christmas at Central World, Siam

IMG_0080 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0081 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0098 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_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

[Bucket1960]

About time you got on with this Wayne

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
Tour Maps, Forum & Trip Reports S.E. Asia | GT-Rider Maps

ENJOY Thailand and its wonderful people

[Lonerider]

Originally Posted by Bucket1960

About time you got on with this Wayne

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
Tour Maps, Forum & Trip Reports S.E. Asia | GT-Rider Maps

ENJOY Thailand and its wonderful people

Haha, yeah its been a long time coming, and I have already done Panang Curry in BKK but will have another just for you in CM
Thanks for the info on the maps

Wayne

[Lonerider]

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 and food. Will be glad to get on the bike to give my kidneys and liver a rest

IMG_0101 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The driver

IMG_0104 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0110 by Wayne 66, on Flickr
The Navel Academy

IMG_0114 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0120 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0130 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0140 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0152 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Wayne

[Bones667]

and finally..just in case Bones667 has looked at this... maybe I might get the sore left wrist back [/QUOTE]

Ha Ha - Good on you Wayne.. I cant see the pics as work internet blocks it!!! I'll have a look at home later ( 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 )

Cheers
Bones

[Lonerider]

Originally Posted by Bones667

and finally..just in case Bones667 has looked at this... maybe I might get the sore left wrist back

Ha Ha - Good on you Wayne.. I cant see the pics as work internet blocks it!!! I'll have a look at home later ( 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 )

Cheers
Bones

Ha Ha thought you would like it mate, and less of the blasphemy on this RR please
go steady
Wayne

[Lonerider]

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

IMG_0173 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0181 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0209 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0214 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0227 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

IMG_0230 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Wayne

[thepav]

Going this way next year with the missus. Useful contacts and hints already, thanks

[Lonerider]

Originally Posted by thepav

Going this way next year with the missus. Useful contacts and hints already, thanks

You are most welcome

Wayne

[Lonerider]

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

This is the intended route in Thailand and Laos, although not decided exactly where I am going to cross the border