4WD-ing through Cambodia & Laos (hopefully)

[johnnysneds]

Parting of the puddle. This is the second time around, the first was way more impressive as I nearly lost traction and drowned.
[video=youtube_share;Nnjs8pE-uYw]http://youtu.be/Nnjs8pE-uYw[/video]

Heres a vid of myself and Matt going into another crossing to check the water depth when all of a sudden a crazy truck driver decided to check it for us!

 

[KTMphil]

Looks like you were able to wash all the mud off!!!

 

[LUFC]

GYtp9o1L7UM[/media]

Mr Harrison didn't seem to be fazed by a 2 ton truck approaching at speed, from behind with a mini- tsunami affront it!

Almost run over, drowned, pretending not to give a toss, full factory effort Dude!

 

[johnnysneds]

Siem Reap











Most of the other photos were taken in "Pub Street" when we had our theme night. Posted earlier

 

[johnnysneds]

Phnom Pen

Killing Fields





















Death Highway (now a piece of piss to drive/ride up)







A lovely family let all of us stay here for the night until we could catch the car ferry early the next morning


The slippery track down to where the ferry pick up point is


The crossing. The locals reckoned the bridge across here will be completed in 3 years!












Death Highway completed, over the other side and time to motor onto the Laos border.

 

[johnnysneds]

Laos


Tadlo









The location of this hotel and the waterfall is spectacular, however a word of warning, the staff at this place is the worst I have ever experienced, ever. No time for the customers at all, too busy playing cards, shame really this place could be a hit. Visit it to see the waterfall and lovely surroundings and move on...

Onto the trails

 

[johnnysneds]

 

[johnnysneds]

Stuck in the soup!













Plain of Jars

















Crater Field

 

[Lone Rider]

Laos


Tadlo

View attachment 18408

The location of this hotel and the waterfall is spectacular, however a word of warning, the staff at this place is the worst I have ever experienced, ever. No time for the customers at all, too busy playing cards, shame really this place could be a hit. Visit it to see the waterfall and lovely surroundings and move on...

Onto the trails

View attachment 18423

View attachment 18424

View attachment 18425

Re: Tad Lo Lodge - yes, agree that the service is slow - the staff was not interested at all so in the end I just went tot the kitchen to order beer and food.

Not sure but is this crossing over the Xe Lanong river west of Mueang Nong with the long bamboo bridge for bikes and the ford for cars a bit to the west of it.

 

[KTMphil]

Awesome awesome photo's!!! What a rainy season trip and you even had aircon.

 

[johnnysneds]

Here's the complete tour route. Base Camp tells me its 5,178 Km in 9 days

 

[johnnysneds]

Re: Tad Lo Lodge - yes, agree that the service is slow - the staff was not interested at all so in the end I just went tot the kitchen to order beer and food.

Not sure but is this crossing over the Xe Lanong river west of Mueang Nong with the long bamboo bridge for bikes and the ford for cars a bit to the west of it.

Hi Auke,

Jeez sorry im a bit of a gps/geography spaz. All the rivers looked the same to me! Ill send you all the gps data and see if you can fathom it oot! Next time ill try and learn how to put a waypoint into the Montana with relevant info. Matt might know, he's a gps freak!, saying that I did ask if we were going over the Mekong at one point and he wasn't sure, so yeah you'll probably get the same reply as me!
I can tell you where they pour good cocktails in Siem Reap and Sefton's got some good GPS co-ordinates of bars with decent broads in PP...

 

[Lone Rider]

Yes, checked the track and it is indeed the ford in the Xe Lanong river close to the long bamboo bridge where you crossed the river. 55555 might have to join you guys the next time to make sure that you won't go astray (from the roads and tracks that is - no idea about the other things although I do like a good cocktail from time to time) as your shortcut with the mud bath was quite a bit longer than the shortest option - from Rd 8 head north at Ban Phonmuang on Rd 1D and you would have been that same evening in Phonsavan. This is road 1D which was just finished/opened about 2 months ago but which was not yet on the GPS map.

 

[johnnysneds]

 

[KTMphil]

I hope this was early evening and not dawn

 

[johnnysneds]

What is "dawn"?

 

[KTMphil]

dawn - definition of dawn by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.



1. The time each morning at which daylight first begins.
2. A first appearance; a beginning: the dawn of history. See Synonyms at beginning.
intr.v. dawned, dawn·ing, dawns 1. To begin to become light in the morning.
2. To begin to appear or develop; emerge.
3. To begin to be perceived or understood:

What is "dawn"?

 

[johnnysneds]

Next step for the Ranger to fully off-road prep it, ill be hoping to get something like this done in Thailand. I really like the roof tent arrangement too...

 

[johnnysneds]

Oh no! ARB have a branch in Rayong :cry

Find your Nearest Store | ARB Thailand

 

[KTMphil]

Oh no! ARB have a branch in Rayong :cry

Find your Nearest Store | ARB Thailand

The problem is the height of the rear diff, so big wheels I would have thought would be the priority to lift the rear diff.

 

[johnnysneds]

Correct Phil, new rims and higher walled tyres are high on the list. I'm not sure about going too aggressive with the tyre pattern as I'm really impressed how the stock tyres have performed. Wouldn't want road noise to ruin the show, a slightly more aggressive tyre should be adequate.

 

[LivinLOS]

Next step for the Ranger to fully off-road prep it, ill be hoping to get something like this done in Thailand. I really like the roof tent arrangement too...

There is a really friendly older Thai guy running a 4x4 type workshop near me.. kind of guy who wouldn't take money for small assistance and always smiles and mai pen rai..

I often see major lift pickups in there and stuff being done.. I am guessing he would know the supply chains for all the proper kit.

Little to no English tho..

 

[johnnysneds]

Thanks Sef, might be worth a look when im ready to get the work done. Ive also found this place which looks serious Home

 

[Loop]

^ you`re not ready for serious 2 wheel dirt bashing yet Johnny?

 

[johnnysneds]

^ you`re not ready for serious 2 wheel dirt bashing yet Johnny?

Not until all the metal gets removed. Hoping to be back on a dirt bike for the start of the dry season. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't nervous about it!

 

[LivinLOS]

Thanks Sef, might be worth a look when im ready to get the work done. Ive also found this place which looks serious Home

Yeah that looks like the real deal too.. Have to say tho, the ranger doesnt look so nice with the big sold metal fenders on as some others.. Rangers smooth looks less of a match.

As to tyres, wouldnt it make sense to have 2 sets and keep one serious tread set for adventures and a road set for normal use ?? Less compromises at minimal cost.

 

[Loop]

Not until all the metal gets removed. Hoping to be back on a dirt bike for the start of the dry season. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't nervous about it!

Know the feeling.

I had 2 big plates and 15 screws in my right lower forearm to hold it all together for 18 months after a race crash.

Got offered some rides and couldn`t do it with all that metal in there and the potential for causing big damage if i went down on it again.

Hope it all heals well!

 

[The Bigfella]

Not until all the metal gets removed. Hoping to be back on a dirt bike for the start of the dry season. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't nervous about it!

Last time I saw my surgeon, I asked him about pulling the metal. He doesn't want to do it unless I have pain issues, until he does the full knee replacement - which he says I'll need "sooner, rather than later". He says the plate and screws were a particularly good fit. I'm thinking that if I always wear the knee brace, maybe I'll ride with the metal?

I've got these... Matrix braces

 

[crs]

Thanks Sef, might be worth a look when im ready to get the work done. Ive also found this place which looks serious Home

Did you get any work done with them, Johnny? My Vigo warranty is up and might change to aftermarket suspension, ecu chip, what-have-you, at some point...

 

[johnnysneds]

Did you get any work done with them, Johnny? My Vigo warranty is up and might change to aftermarket suspension, ecu chip, what-have-you, at some point...

No haven't yet Chris, too much on my plate at the moment with other stuff. Probably mid 2014 before I get into that.

You want to contact Adrian who has upgraded his Vigo with all the bells and whistles for off-roading.

 

[crs]

Ta.