[Trip Report] My Crazy "LITTLE" Adventure Up North - 11 Apr to 18 May 2008

[whisperer]

Day 29 - Mekong River, Luang Pra Bang

 

We woke up early and had a light breakfast, spotting several early birds rushing down to the pier to grab the good seats. Soon after, we were all packed and headed for the pier. All the good seats had been taken, so we moved to the back and stacked up the wooden benches to clear a space on the floor.

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Moments after boarding, the sky fell on us. The rain was so heavy that it threatened to pound the ferry's roof to smatterings. Some were caught in the sudden downpour.

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those who arrived later soon followed our more comfortable style of sitting/lying on the floor, and it was almost funny how different the ferry looked compared to yesterday.

 

the rain cleared about an huor later and we were on our way

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a pair of siblings sound asleep

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the view ahead

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a local came on board with a monitor lizard, and this kid had no qualms about playing with it. Of course, the poor lizard was all tied up

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some old timers sharing their traveling stories

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a fellow traveler i met, pretending to be asleep

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we reached luang pra bang at last around 5pm. I actually managed to unload the bike myself, with a little assistance from one of my travel mate. the last thing i wanted was having to pay another few hundred baht.

 

Day 30 - Kuang Xi waterfall

 

i woke up pretty early, planning to ride down to the famous waterfall. Managed to find my way there despite the un-detailed map i got, with thanks to a few helpful locals.

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entry to the national park was 20000kip, but it was well worth it, as i soon found out

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spotted a few playful sunbears in the sanctuary

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a short trek took me to the beautiful turquoise swimming pools at the bottom of the Kuang Xi falls, Laos' most famous waterfall.

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[whisperer]

the falls had many layers. Each of the photos below are all taken at different levels of the falls

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and at last the foot of the final section of the falls. no swimming allowed here though, but i guess no one's complaining

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on the way up the final section. Even the path looks great

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the trail only leads to halfway of the final section. Even at halfway, the views were stunning.

 

looking down...

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the upper half

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against my better judgment, i slowly made my way across the waterfall. losing my footing would be, without a doubt, certain death. was it worth it? you bet...

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didn't have time to explore the rest of the falls, so i quickly made my descent

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[whisperer]

on the way out, i couldn't resist taking a quick dip, despite not having any swimming gear with me. After coming all this way, what the heck...(and no, i'm NOT naked!)

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flame of the forest. never did quite see them bloom back home...

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made my way back to the hostel before lunch, and had a farewell lunch with my Laos travel mates

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once again, i was on the road, making my way to vang vieng

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i reached the small town just before the sun set, and i settled down in a guesthouse by the main road. chilled after dinner to FRIENDS till late. pretty nice place to hang out

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Day31 - Going Home

 

Had a long way to go today. Woke up early and set off towards Vientiene, the capital city.

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travelling was easier after i descended the mountainous region, literally a straight road to the capital.

 

the presidential palace

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war memorial?

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left hand drive

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cleared Laos customs

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Thai-Laos Friendship bridge

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clearing customs at Nong Kai

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it felt good to be back in thailand, to be able to use thai baht again. i rode long and hard the rest of the day, and well into the night, experiencing shows along the way before i finally decided to stop at Nakhon Ratchasima. Booked a room @"The Doctor's House for the night and i spotted something familiar

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[MiddleAgedBiker]

I want to be like you when I grow up...

[helL-rider]

bestow to my hero u r da man

[lao uncle]

I want to be like you when I grow up...

 

You seem to be grown up, middleagebiker.

 

Or you want to grow up to be laobiker then you go?

[whisperer]

I want to be like you when I grow up...

 

ROFL! :lol:

[whisperer]

Day 32-37(The Final Days)

 

The next day, i rode the remaining stretch to Bangkok, reaching the edge of the capital city just after noon, with enough time to run errands. I got to the train station literally minutes before it rained cats and dogs, and within half an hour, my bike was checked in and ready to be loaded onto the evening train. The ticket for a 2nd class sleeper cost me 698bht(slightly more for the lower, which also happens to be more spacious), and another 800bht for the bike excluding tips.

 

the comfy seat which folds into a bed

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reached surat thani the next morning, and a rather unfortunate thing happened, a nightmare of all tourers. My bike key broke in the fuel cap as i closed the cap after checking fuel level! problem was solved promptly, despite having failed to locate my spare key.

 

by early noon, i reached hatyai, where i stayed a couple more nights.

 

I set at noon on Sat the 17th from hatyai, heading in the direction of Fraser's Hill. A group of friends had rode up since morning and i had planned to drop in and surprise them. The sun was beginning to set as i exited the NSH before KL. I had to ride the remaining 30km up the winding roads in total darkness, save for a single car heading up with headlights that wouldn't even dazzle a cockroach.

 

It seemed to take forever to reach the top, but i breathed easier when street lamps greeted me in the cool foggy night atop Bukit Fraser.

 

Found a room despite the busy holiday weekend - a triple bed room with shower for 100rm. pretty sweet deal, too bad there was no one to share the room with.

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Located my friends at their resort and hung out for abit before retiring to my room.

 

Day 38 - The End of the Road

 

checked out after breakfast and headed out for photos before linking up with my friends for the ride back home

 

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met a large convoy of KL bikers on a weekend getaway. One of the guys even approached me and told me he had heard of my trip from his friend whom apparently i met(which i totally have no impression, on the account that i randomly met and chatted briefly with quite alot of bikers on the way up)

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linked up with my friends for a final group photo

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We rushed to make it for the window to descend, and eventually linked up at Ayer Keroh R&R for some good ol' root beer float.

 

The rest of the journey was smooth, except for a puncture on one of the bikes. And it was my tyre repair kit that saved the day! haha... shall skip the details on that one.

 

Everyone made it back home safe and sound, leaving a nice conclusion to my month-long adventure, plus loads of washing to do!

 

 

On a last note, i would like to thank everyone who had made this trip possible, especially to YZFx and FB666Y for inspiring this trip, and ESR for the support and encouragement along the way, and Kenny Seaw for his invaluable advice.

 

And Thank You, dear readers, for following me on my journey.

[AJ..]

great adventure dude...thanks for sharing...very motivational.

[eedwinn]

What a nice and inspiring trip you had. Thumbs up for you!!

[2Bpencil]

thanks for sharing your wonderful and memorable trip..

[PaLmEr]

On a last note, i would like to thank everyone who had made this trip possible, especially to YZFx and FB666Y for inspiring this trip, and ESR for the support and encouragement along the way, and Kenny Seaw for his invaluable advice.

 

And Thank You, dear readers, for following me on my journey.

 

good to see you going out on the less travelled path. I did the same thing in Feb and i would safely say it has been the ride of my life. Would love to do something like that again!

[MrKan]

i love you

[yem_paul]

Thanks for sharing. Your story inspires many.

[whisperer]

Thanks for sharing. Your story inspires many.

 

ooh... i love your ava! i wanna do that on my ksr! haha... hopefully it won't drown!

[panclanrider]

My utmost respect for a true iron butt biker...

 

As the saying goes...

 

"Mind over matters"...

 

 

:bow:

[sabbaha]

Well done bro! An inspirational write out on ur adventurous TRIP! ENVY very much.....2 thumbs up for ya!!!!

 

Its not the size of the bike! Its the rider who makes it all happen!!! The strength, stamina and mentality!!!

 

[yem_paul]

ooh... i love your ava! i wanna do that on my ksr! haha... hopefully it won't drown!

 

That I have to thank the hidden talents that my riding buddies have... but truly your stories are amazing.

[panclanrider]

That I have to thank the hidden talents that my riding buddies have... but truly your stories are amazing.

 

So your riding buddies are the real McCoy in your avatar?

 

I tot it was you in your avatar...

 

:sweat:

[whisperer]

So your riding buddies are the real McCoy in your avatar?

 

I tot it was you in your avatar...

 

:sweat:

 

i think he probably means his riding buddies are good photographers?

[panclanrider]

i think he probably means his riding buddies are good photographers?

 

Yeah.. Might be..

 

But anyway, your adventure is amazing...

 

:thumb:

[yem_paul]

i think he probably means his riding buddies are good photographers?

 

They are actually.

 

 

Yeah.. Might be..

 

But anyway, your adventure is amazing...

 

:thumb:

 

Yeah bro good adventure. Thumbs up for you

[racingter]

my idol.................u r the man.......!!!!

[hurricanemax]

What an adventure! Thank you for sharing!

 

I agree that the experience is totally ifferent on a smaller bike...maybe its time to do it again on a reversed routing with a small bike!

 

hMx-wantin2go!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Eason]

COol...!!!!!