Yesterday was a milestone on my biking career. Channel 8 arranged a meeting with our Laos expedition group to film our pre-ride preparation. Furthermore, as i will be the unofficial videoman for the Channel 8 Mediacorp, they did an interview of me and the organiser to add to the Laos footage.
It was a strange experience being behind the camera and told when to talk or where to stand. But overall it was easy and natural as the crew put no stress on us. The biggest setback for the filming was the rain that dampened everyone's mood for posing. We were at East Coast Beach Sea Sports Club, but the rain prevented us from doing any on bike filming. The camera man have to make do with whatever shelter and camera angle he have. Which is not very much.
For anyone interested to send us off, we will be having a flag off at LC Foodcourt along Tanjong Katong road opposite Chelsea Lodge on Friday 8.30pm 11th January. Mediacorp Channel 8 will be there to film our flag off too. We are expecting a team of POM POM boys as highlight of the send off. In addition, Singha beer will be there and i heard that its free-flow of beer. So, please come down and support us for our Laos riding expedition.
The Channel 8 program will be aired on the 1st of Feb just 4 days after we get back from our trip. Do watch out for this program "前线追踪" which is where we will all have our debut appearance on national TV.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Monday, 7 January 2008
The 12 Adventourers to Laos
The Participants on two wheels for new estimated distance travelled (11 bikes and 12 people):
On Bike - 5800km
On Train - 3190km
Total - 8990km
1. Alex Quan Ban Thong @ Adventourer (BMW R1200GS Adv)
2. Helen Tay Chwee Whaye aka Ah Ma (Professional Pillion)
3. Robin Ow Yong See (BMW R650GS Dakar)
4. Loh Nyen Yiu (BMW R1200GS Adv)
5. Eric Ow Tai Chun (BMW R1200GS Adv)
6. Christopher Liu Chern Yoong (BMW R1200GS Adv)
7. Terry Ng Tock Chieng (BMW R1100GS)
8. David Tay Choon Hock (BMW F650GS)
9. Peter Ng Chong Meng (Honda VFR800)
10. Shaji s/o Valiathan Gopalan (Yamaha Diversion 900)
11. Charlie Tseng Teck Chuang (Honda Nighthawk 750)
12. Steven Yap Tzyy Miin aka Wravern (Suzuki DR650)
On Bike - 5800km
On Train - 3190km
Total - 8990km
1. Alex Quan Ban Thong @ Adventourer (BMW R1200GS Adv)
2. Helen Tay Chwee Whaye aka Ah Ma (Professional Pillion)
3. Robin Ow Yong See (BMW R650GS Dakar)
4. Loh Nyen Yiu (BMW R1200GS Adv)
5. Eric Ow Tai Chun (BMW R1200GS Adv)
6. Christopher Liu Chern Yoong (BMW R1200GS Adv)
7. Terry Ng Tock Chieng (BMW R1100GS)
8. David Tay Choon Hock (BMW F650GS)
9. Peter Ng Chong Meng (Honda VFR800)
10. Shaji s/o Valiathan Gopalan (Yamaha Diversion 900)
11. Charlie Tseng Teck Chuang (Honda Nighthawk 750)
12. Steven Yap Tzyy Miin aka Wravern (Suzuki DR650)
Singha Laos riding expedition - 4 days to go
Its been awhile i last posted regarding my Laos trip. Prep for the setoff day is reaching an end.
Counting down now to the last 4 days before setoff date.
By sheer providence, our group has been given the opportunity to get TV publicity on the trip. Channel 8 from Mediacorp wanted to feature our riding trip on one of their lifestyle program. To add cherry topping to the cake, i have become the unofficial videoman for Mediacorp. My job is to film the whole Laos riding expedition and provide them with the footage to air. It will be quite a challenge to switch from trip participant to actual trip videoman. Not to mention, my role as the writer remains foremost on my task of things to do.
Oh yah, there have been some changes on the trip participants too. Will need to update the latest on who is really going.
Counting down now to the last 4 days before setoff date.
By sheer providence, our group has been given the opportunity to get TV publicity on the trip. Channel 8 from Mediacorp wanted to feature our riding trip on one of their lifestyle program. To add cherry topping to the cake, i have become the unofficial videoman for Mediacorp. My job is to film the whole Laos riding expedition and provide them with the footage to air. It will be quite a challenge to switch from trip participant to actual trip videoman. Not to mention, my role as the writer remains foremost on my task of things to do.
Oh yah, there have been some changes on the trip participants too. Will need to update the latest on who is really going.
Friday, 28 September 2007
Monday, 24 September 2007
Laos Trip Participants & Details
THE Participants on two wheels for estimated 6000 km are (total 9 bikes and 10 people with 1 as a pillion):
1 Alex Quah aka Adventourer (BMW R1150GS)
2 Casandra Wee aka Cas (BMW R650GS)
3 Shaji (Yamaha Diversion 900)
4 Charlie Tseng (Honda Nighthawk 750)
5 Robin Ow (BMW R650GS Dakar)
6 Terry Ng (BMW R1100GS)
7 Loh Nyen Yiu (BMW R1200GS)
8 Eric Ow (BMW R1200GS)
9 Steven Yap aka Wravern (Suzuki DR650)
THE ROUTES
11st (Fri night) Sin-Hatyai (900 km)
12nd (Sat) Hatyai
13rd (Sun) Bangkok
14th (Mon) Chiang Mai-Huay Xai (app. 100 km)
15th (Tue) Huay Xai-Luang Nam Tha (app. 180 km)
16th (Wed) Luang Nam Tha-Muang Sing-Long-Xieng Kok-Muang Sing-Luang Nam Tha-
Boten (Border of China) (app. 340 km)
17th (Thu) Boten-Udom Xai-Muang La-Sin Xai-Ban Yo-Boun Nua-Phongsali (app.350 km)
18th (Fri) Phongsali-Boun Na-Ban Yo-Sin Xai—Muang La-Udom Xai-Pak Mong-Luang
Prabang (app. 430 km)
19th (Sat) Luang Prabang
20th (Sun) Luang Prabang-Pak Xeng-Sam Soun-Vieng Thong-Phou Lao-Suan Hin (The
Stone Garden)-Muang Kham-Nam Kanh (Border of Vietnam) (app.550 km)
21st (Mon) Nam Kanh-Muang Kham-Phonsavan-Phou Khoun-Van Vieng-Vientiene (app. 510 km)
22nd (Tue) Vientiane
23rd (Wed) Vientiane-Pakxan-Vieng Kham-Khong Lar Cave-Thakhek (app. 460 km)
24th (Thu) Thakhek-Pakse-Voeun Kham (Border of Cambodia) (app. 420 km)
25th (Fri) Voeun Kham-Pakse-Van Tao-Chong Mek-Bangkok (850 km)
26th (Sat) Bangkok (train to Hatyai)
27th (Sun) Hatyai
28th (Mon) Hatyai to Singapore (app. 900 km)
THE TOWNS
The 10 towns we are staying over:
1 Huay Xai
2 Luang Nam Tha
3 Boten
4 Phongsali
5 Luang Prabang
6 Nam Kanh
7 Vientiane
8 Thakhek
9 Voeun Kham
10 Bangkok
11 Hatyai
1 Alex Quah aka Adventourer (BMW R1150GS)
2 Casandra Wee aka Cas (BMW R650GS)
3 Shaji (Yamaha Diversion 900)
4 Charlie Tseng (Honda Nighthawk 750)
5 Robin Ow (BMW R650GS Dakar)
6 Terry Ng (BMW R1100GS)
7 Loh Nyen Yiu (BMW R1200GS)
8 Eric Ow (BMW R1200GS)
9 Steven Yap aka Wravern (Suzuki DR650)
THE ROUTES
11st (Fri night) Sin-Hatyai (900 km)
12nd (Sat) Hatyai
13rd (Sun) Bangkok
14th (Mon) Chiang Mai-Huay Xai (app. 100 km)
15th (Tue) Huay Xai-Luang Nam Tha (app. 180 km)
16th (Wed) Luang Nam Tha-Muang Sing-Long-Xieng Kok-Muang Sing-Luang Nam Tha-
Boten (Border of China) (app. 340 km)
17th (Thu) Boten-Udom Xai-Muang La-Sin Xai-Ban Yo-Boun Nua-Phongsali (app.350 km)
18th (Fri) Phongsali-Boun Na-Ban Yo-Sin Xai—Muang La-Udom Xai-Pak Mong-Luang
Prabang (app. 430 km)
19th (Sat) Luang Prabang
20th (Sun) Luang Prabang-Pak Xeng-Sam Soun-Vieng Thong-Phou Lao-Suan Hin (The
Stone Garden)-Muang Kham-Nam Kanh (Border of Vietnam) (app.550 km)
21st (Mon) Nam Kanh-Muang Kham-Phonsavan-Phou Khoun-Van Vieng-Vientiene (app. 510 km)
22nd (Tue) Vientiane
23rd (Wed) Vientiane-Pakxan-Vieng Kham-Khong Lar Cave-Thakhek (app. 460 km)
24th (Thu) Thakhek-Pakse-Voeun Kham (Border of Cambodia) (app. 420 km)
25th (Fri) Voeun Kham-Pakse-Van Tao-Chong Mek-Bangkok (850 km)
26th (Sat) Bangkok (train to Hatyai)
27th (Sun) Hatyai
28th (Mon) Hatyai to Singapore (app. 900 km)
THE TOWNS
The 10 towns we are staying over:
1 Huay Xai
2 Luang Nam Tha
3 Boten
4 Phongsali
5 Luang Prabang
6 Nam Kanh
7 Vientiane
8 Thakhek
9 Voeun Kham
10 Bangkok
11 Hatyai
Getting Started
This is a another step towards embarking on my all time passion. Motorbike touring has always been my great escape from the hubbub and routine drab of everyday life. The lure of the open road is an neverending source of release for me. Having a strong love of freedom, and a disdain for routine has propelled me onto another brand new adventure for my next trip.
It is a Laos Expedition Riding Trip which is being scheduled from the 12th-28th Jan 2008. This is not your ordinary tour or excursion but an Expedition for those who dare. The Laos Expedition route will start off from Malaysia NS Highway, through Thailand, Laos and to the border of China, Vietnam and Cambodia. Most of the riding are planned to be done in Laos with road conditions to be projected at Grade 3 to 5 trail roads in Northern Laos and Grade 1 to 2 roads to the south. Total days projected for this trip are 17 days with 6 days in Thailand and remaining days in Laos. It is estimated to have a distance coverage of slightly more than 5000km.
As this is a ride over 3 countries with riding off the beaten tracks, our group participants are putting our endurance to the test. We will be riding through one of the few toughest terrain in Laos while exploring adventurous locations where few big motorbikes would dare venture. But the attraction of exploring and experiencing laid back country life from the unobscured view of a biker makes any tough challenges of this trip worth taking.
That said, we will be visiting the numerous local attractions and have the chance to understand how Laos is also known as the land of agriculture with its wide numbers of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Beside the local sights, we will also have the chance to experience the ethnic diversity that made up Laotians and immerse ourselves in their warm and welcoming culture. Not to mention the religious traditions and turbulent history that make Laos what is it today.
Part and parcel of any road trip lies in the unexpected that makes its so unforgettable. Which is why the final destination is never the main focus but rather the process along the journey that makes our memories transfixed in time eternally.
It is a Laos Expedition Riding Trip which is being scheduled from the 12th-28th Jan 2008. This is not your ordinary tour or excursion but an Expedition for those who dare. The Laos Expedition route will start off from Malaysia NS Highway, through Thailand, Laos and to the border of China, Vietnam and Cambodia. Most of the riding are planned to be done in Laos with road conditions to be projected at Grade 3 to 5 trail roads in Northern Laos and Grade 1 to 2 roads to the south. Total days projected for this trip are 17 days with 6 days in Thailand and remaining days in Laos. It is estimated to have a distance coverage of slightly more than 5000km.
As this is a ride over 3 countries with riding off the beaten tracks, our group participants are putting our endurance to the test. We will be riding through one of the few toughest terrain in Laos while exploring adventurous locations where few big motorbikes would dare venture. But the attraction of exploring and experiencing laid back country life from the unobscured view of a biker makes any tough challenges of this trip worth taking.
That said, we will be visiting the numerous local attractions and have the chance to understand how Laos is also known as the land of agriculture with its wide numbers of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Beside the local sights, we will also have the chance to experience the ethnic diversity that made up Laotians and immerse ourselves in their warm and welcoming culture. Not to mention the religious traditions and turbulent history that make Laos what is it today.
Part and parcel of any road trip lies in the unexpected that makes its so unforgettable. Which is why the final destination is never the main focus but rather the process along the journey that makes our memories transfixed in time eternally.
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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.
