Just back from a superb classic bike run in Laos & Thailand, with the North Siam Roadrunners on Royal Enfield 500s.
We started from Thaton and ran through Doi Mae Salong, Mai Sai, Sop Ruak and down to Chiang Saen for the first night. On to Chiang Khong by the river road and across the river to Huay Xai for the second night.
My wheels.
Chiang Khong Customs House. Crossing was straightforward.
Nasty. In the Immigration Police car park .
Across the Khong.
The view back to Thailand.
Mr Roadrunner.
In Houay Xai.
Plan for the new bridge. Should be finished in a couple of years.
The Sabaydee Guest House in Houay Xai. Good rooms.
The road up to Luang Namtha is great now they have finished it, smooth tarmac all the way.
Took the road up to Muang Sing for a looksee, bit of a bumpy road.
This lady was trying to sell us some rice field crabs, unsuccessfully.
Great new road from Luang Namtha to Oudom Xai.
At the back of the Oudom Xai Guest House.
A rare Silver Pheasant.
A short ride up to Muang La
A very old Buddha statue here, 1000 years old. One of three important statues; the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, a statue in Luang Prabang and this one at Muang La.
A 650 year old tree.
This is a live hog strapped on this bike.
Barbecued chicken dinner and Gerry made friends with Felice the chicken.. head.
Felice was the mascot next day.
Chris took a tumble here, very slippery road indeed, no injuries, no bike damage.
Oudom Xai to Pak Mong still not fully re-surfaced.
Felice hangs in.
Nong Khiew is a lovely spot.
The stunning scenery of highway 13 by the Ou River into Luang Prabang.
By the Khong again in Luang Prabang. We stayed at the Mekong Holiday Villa on the riverside. A nice place to stay.
Former Royal Palace, now National Museum. The Royal cars are worth a look, photos not allowed.
Nice classic motor on a back street.
This is the ferry crossing from the northwest side of the Khong, from the dirt road from Hongsa.
The dust road from LP to Xayabouri. Will be another goodie when finished.
The ferry crossing at Tha Dueu. See the new bridge being built in the background.
An average Xayabouri Guest House.
We were lucky to see this. These beasts were on their way from Hongsa to the Xayabouri Elephant Festival which was just starting. End of February is the time to see this.
Wonderful scenery and great road up to Hongsa.
Leaving Laos at Muang Ngeun.
Back into Thailand at Huay Kon.
This looked bad, on the road down from the border to Pua.
On the great road over Doi Phukha.
The riders; Rob, Clayton & Susan, Gerry, Chris and Ian.
The Tiger Head flower on trees all over the north at present.
The Chompoo Phukha tree was just starting to flower. Best time to see this very special tree flowering is the end of February.
Dinosaurs might have walked here in this ancient forest.
The Bo Klua salt well.
These, I believe, are protected rosewood trees (My Pratu) on the road to Santisuk.
Nice old picture of Rama VI in a Nan temple.
Wat Phumin, Nan's wonderful temple of wall murals.
Khun Give the support truck driver, Khun Toi the guide and Mr Gyan the mechanic.
The Royal Enfield Bullet 500s are superb classic machines. All returned safely, no issues and a great 10 day ride time was had.
Check out the Roadrunners classic ride options; http://www.ridethai.com/ and http://www.ridehigh.com/
Best wishes
Ian
We started from Thaton and ran through Doi Mae Salong, Mai Sai, Sop Ruak and down to Chiang Saen for the first night. On to Chiang Khong by the river road and across the river to Huay Xai for the second night.
My wheels.
Chiang Khong Customs House. Crossing was straightforward.
Nasty. In the Immigration Police car park .
Across the Khong.
The view back to Thailand.
Mr Roadrunner.
In Houay Xai.
Plan for the new bridge. Should be finished in a couple of years.
The Sabaydee Guest House in Houay Xai. Good rooms.
The road up to Luang Namtha is great now they have finished it, smooth tarmac all the way.
Took the road up to Muang Sing for a looksee, bit of a bumpy road.
This lady was trying to sell us some rice field crabs, unsuccessfully.
Great new road from Luang Namtha to Oudom Xai.
At the back of the Oudom Xai Guest House.
A rare Silver Pheasant.
A short ride up to Muang La
A very old Buddha statue here, 1000 years old. One of three important statues; the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, a statue in Luang Prabang and this one at Muang La.
A 650 year old tree.
This is a live hog strapped on this bike.
Barbecued chicken dinner and Gerry made friends with Felice the chicken.. head.
Felice was the mascot next day.
Chris took a tumble here, very slippery road indeed, no injuries, no bike damage.
Oudom Xai to Pak Mong still not fully re-surfaced.
Felice hangs in.
Nong Khiew is a lovely spot.
The stunning scenery of highway 13 by the Ou River into Luang Prabang.
By the Khong again in Luang Prabang. We stayed at the Mekong Holiday Villa on the riverside. A nice place to stay.
Former Royal Palace, now National Museum. The Royal cars are worth a look, photos not allowed.
Nice classic motor on a back street.
This is the ferry crossing from the northwest side of the Khong, from the dirt road from Hongsa.
The dust road from LP to Xayabouri. Will be another goodie when finished.
The ferry crossing at Tha Dueu. See the new bridge being built in the background.
An average Xayabouri Guest House.
We were lucky to see this. These beasts were on their way from Hongsa to the Xayabouri Elephant Festival which was just starting. End of February is the time to see this.
Wonderful scenery and great road up to Hongsa.
Leaving Laos at Muang Ngeun.
Back into Thailand at Huay Kon.
This looked bad, on the road down from the border to Pua.
On the great road over Doi Phukha.
The riders; Rob, Clayton & Susan, Gerry, Chris and Ian.
The Tiger Head flower on trees all over the north at present.
The Chompoo Phukha tree was just starting to flower. Best time to see this very special tree flowering is the end of February.
Dinosaurs might have walked here in this ancient forest.
The Bo Klua salt well.
These, I believe, are protected rosewood trees (My Pratu) on the road to Santisuk.
Nice old picture of Rama VI in a Nan temple.
Wat Phumin, Nan's wonderful temple of wall murals.
Khun Give the support truck driver, Khun Toi the guide and Mr Gyan the mechanic.
The Royal Enfield Bullet 500s are superb classic machines. All returned safely, no issues and a great 10 day ride time was had.
Check out the Roadrunners classic ride options; http://www.ridethai.com/ and http://www.ridehigh.com/
Best wishes
Ian
