After having a last breakfast in Chiang Mai until just before xmas we ordered a Bolt ( Uber thing ) to take us to the bike shop. The guys had the bikes ready for us and after getting our stuff loaded we rode tentatively out into the traffic, of course we took a wrong turning but eventually having fueled up we headed towards Lampang . A busy town which we visited before, main roads the whole way. Driving is different but in general much slower so you get a chance to think. Found a coffee shop near our hotel and had some slightly spicy food and at the 7/11 ( spar type shop ) got beer, all good so far.
The following day we rook some amazing back roads where we saw a guy riding an elephant with a baby elephant in tow, you don't see that in the sma glen! We stayed in Sukhothai , a braw day and even found a biker bar for beer and food. We then headed to lom Kao over some amazing very twisty mountain passes, but dual carriageway the whole way, and I though we were the first world country, we are having the wool pulled over our eyes by politicians that's for sure.
Thursday into Nong Bua , wonderful very high passes but only two lanes and very quiet, spectacular views everywhere. Roadworks to improve bridges and upgrading the roads and more importantly the drainage, passing through very traditional villages where the people are still working the land.
A visit to the very busy market and then a sports bar later for burger and chips and HP Sauce, amazing.
Friday and we only had roughly 60 miles to do today, it was very hot and the traffic busy as hell, stopped about half way for food and petrol. Ran into a German biker who stays here in the winter with his Thai wife, talked nonsense with him and then headed towards Nong Khai which is on the other side of the river from Vientiane capital of Laos.
En route the roads were packed with people waving Thai Flags and at one point a whole school waving ft us, Fiona had spotted a official looking convoy but I realise it was for my benefit, thanks guys, i'm touched.
We looked for a viewpoint to see the bridge to Laos but got lost and ended up at a customs station, quick u turn and then headed to our Hotel.
Super nice staff so we decided to stay another night. Out for a wander down the walking street where the market was happening. A beer and food and plenty people watching , plenty to see. Fiona joined in an impromptu dance at some point, crazy woman !
Over 750Km so far, bloody warm though but all good.
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| The route so far |
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| Favorite Snap |
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| Market |
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| Night traffic |
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| Bikes resting |
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| Temple at night |
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| KFC, sometimes you just have to do it |
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| Beer, sometimes you just have to do it |
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| Chinky at the side of the road |
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| Bikes at the side of the road |
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| Not a bad view |
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| Fifi's new pals |
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| Nice place |
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| The Mekong, and the bridge between Thailand and Laos |
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| Street market |
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| Fiona joining in Later |
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| And again |
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| Beer time |
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| The band |
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