Triumphrat

Rhodie · 01-30-2008

I was stuck in Luang Prabang until banks opened on Monday & Western Union had transfered funds.

But there is a lot to see in the city that has been designated a world heritage site.

The giving of alms to the many monks starts te day off at dawn.

An Aussie dip rode u 8 hours up to join what was a gathering of the GT Riders in LP.

Top bloke to make the effort!

Rhodie · 01-30-2008

Luang Prabang is truly stunning - though it is sadly becoming a little too boutique & expensive.

The Royal Palace's Temple

Then the rains came!

Rhodie · 01-30-2008

I left Luang Prabang early and was soon riding in the clouds, with a thick fog that enveloped the mountains above the city.
The visibility was down to 2 metres at times, bringing my speed down to a walking pace.
The road wound its tortuous way with hair pin bends and edge-of-the-road drop-offs of hundreds of metres.
On-coming trucks were driving only with sidelights on making their appearance an immediate and menacing experience on a road, barely a car's width wide.
Riding through the mountain hamlets, ghostly figures would appear with alarming immediacy.
Behind me, I had gathered a fleet of NGO 4x4s who were using me as their pointman!

Finally the clouds lifted mid-morning to reveal stupendous views.

This road is considered by the biking cognoscenti to be one of the best riding roads in the world with views -and in poor weather - drop-offs to die for!

The traffic at least was visible.

Rhodie · 01-30-2008

Cresting the mountain range is one of the most beautiful vistas I have come across of the
mountain Phou Bia which looks as though it comes from the pages of JRR Tolkein.

Here's an image from a previous trip with better visibility

Further along were a pair of conical karsks that my son christened "Madonna's Cones"!

Rhodie · 01-30-2008

The road to Vang Vieng was great.
The sun had burned off most of the heavy cloud and it was a clear run in past these magnificent karsk formations to the hippy resort town.

There's a temple with a wonderful menacing figure.

Scary if you have had one of the "happy shakes".

Sadly I had to make Vientiane by nightfall so after a quick bite to eat and refuelling I made the last 150kms before dusk.

Vang Vieng

Rhodie · 01-30-2008

Vientiane - capital of the communist PDR Laos.
Awoke to more rain - the cold weather front from China has blanketed northern Thailand, Laos & Vietnam with monsoon rains.
Not great as I hope to make the Cambodian border tomorrow a 800+kms run south east. Then hope to make Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, the next day.

First off a check on the bike and chain lube - these guys are old friends but only used to working on XR250s!!!
The bike is running great after considerable teething problems.
Getting to know, appreciate and love the old gal.

Sightseeing

Vertical Runway - also known more formerly as the Victory Monument,
this concrete monstrosity was made from concrete donated by Uncle Sam to extend the airport's runway;
but the apathetic Laos government thought that by declaring victory & building a monument to this pipedream
victory would surely follow.
Well, you all know how the story ended, sadly.

Triumph @ communist leader's museum. Mercifully closed.

A Laos family wanted to have their photo taken with the Scrambler at the Laos national Wat.

Packing now for the 2000 kms haul down to Cambodian coast.
Just had a call from the lowlife who took my wallet - would I like to buy the cards back??
Ommmmmmmmmm!

Iceseven · 01-31-2008

Excellent trip Rhodie! Keep the segments coming, also hope you can write a followup when your trip is done on the bikes performance and any problems that you may had.

Great Scrambler!

Rhodie · 02-01-2008

Sure Ice - wasn't sure anybody was reading this.
Have just got into Phnom Penh after a hair-raising ride into town.
The weekend exodus resembled riding against a video game
- only you can't push restart. SCARY!

TGF arrives tomorrow so some RnR.
Had hoped to get some scuba diving in but need to get some welding done.

Try and update over the w/end.

Cheerio from Cambodia.
Rhodie

staplegun · 02-01-2008

I have a feeling there is a bunch of people following you on the ride.

Thanks for sharing the ride.

daytonacharlie · 02-01-2008

Rhodie,
I'm still following your incredible journey and enjoying it immensely! The photos are brilliant and the people you include in the photos add so much to the flavor of the experience. Keep up the great posts, we're all enjoying them very much.
I'm clear around the other side of the world here in Georgia so it's relly cool to keep up with someone in real time with pictures from the opposite side of the globe from me!

thanks,
dc