It has been quite a tiring last few days of prep. The trip will be tonight and yet it all feels so unreal. I am really going to do this. Just got up to the morning sun and i hope this kinda good weather will hold through out the day. The last 2 days was a battle with my body constantly. The impending trip and all the prep work or maybe just the erratic January weather has caused my body to break down. I had flu yesterday and it aint a pretty sight. Coupled with the fact that i still need to ride out and run my errands did not help me much. So i took an awefully strong dose of flu meds to knock myself out. The virus is at bay, for now.
My bike is all set and serviced for action, all i am left now is getting my final luggage in order.
Namely my AV equipment. As i am tasked to film for Channel 8, they have very kindly provided me with a pretty big video camera. The extra load has come with other gadgets not to mention my own devices like batteries for video cameras. Yes i have a few cameras, namely 3. One from Mediacorp, one which is my own, and one surveillance camera that is converted to a bike mount camera. Not to mention my walkie set which is a compulsory for this trip,thus i am running out of storage space to even load in my DV tapes for the video footage.
All the load does not include my clothes and bike equipment plus some spares which i brought along. Being quite encumbered, i will have to find someone in my group to help me share some of the weight. Who will be the lucky guy...hmm..
I can tell my map is not the most fantastic in the world, so i have decided to break it down in to smaller pieces for easy viewing. As for this blog, i will try my best to update the latest as and when on the trip for you guys.
Laos Map A11
24th Jan 2008. We will do a day trip down south to Veun Kham which is linked to Dong Calor Cambodia's border. We will also cover Pakxong and visit Bolaven Plateau fabled for their coffee plantation. 25th Jan 2008. We ride out of Laos border via Vang Tao into Chong Mek Thailand. From there, we will ride to Ubon Ratchathani.
Laos Map A10
23rd Jan 2008. From Thakek, we will push another long stretch all the way to our next stop point, Pakse.
Laos Map A9
23rd Jan 2008. This is the longest stretch we will cover. From Nam Phao, we will attempt one of the toughest off roads in Laos drawn in purple line, There will be a river crossing at Nakai which is often deemed impossible. If the route is not passable, we will have no choice but to back track out to Vieng Kham and take the West Coast road south to Tahkek.
Laos Map A8
22nd Jan 2008. As it is a pretty long stretch, we may choose to stop for the night at either Pakxan, Khoun Kham or Lak Xao.
Laos Map A7
22nd Jan 2008. We will attempt to ride across central Laos from Vietiane via Pakxan all the way to the Nam Phao which is linked to Cau Treo Vietnam's border.
Laos Map A6
21st Jan 2008. We will take the most commonly travelled route by bikers coming into Laos from Thailand. From Luang Prabang, we ride south all the way to Vientiane.
Laos Map A5
20th Jan 2008. We head to Luang Prabang to stay and sight seeing.
Laos Map A4
18th Jan 2008. Riding via Vieng Thong to Xam Neua, then we will do a back track down to Hou Lao and rest. 19th Jan 2008. From Hou Lao, we ride through Muang Kham and Phonsavan where we will visit the acclaimed "Plain of Jars". Rest the night in Phonsavan.
Laos Map A3
17th Jan 2008. From Nam Bak we will head east to Vieng Kham for the night.
Laos Map A2
15th Jan 2008.From Luang Namtha we will ride a day trip up to Myanmar border at Xieng Kok and ride back out to Boten which is the border town into Mohan of Yunnan China. At Boten, we will stay the night. 16th Jan 2008. Leaving Boten enroute Oudom Xai, we ride north into Phongsali to stay at Hat Sa. 17th Jan 2008.The next day we will choose to either take the alternative river transportation drawn with purple line down to Luang Prabang or back track down Oudom Xai to Nam Bak in the south.
Laos Map A1
14th Jan 2008. We will enter Huay Xai Laos from Chiang Khong Thailand and proceed to Luang Namtha for our 1st night's rest in Laos.
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