bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
After an entertaining night in the DuangMala Gh (you will have to stay to know what i mean).
PB280826 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB290828 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Today was to be an enjoyable jaunt to Long Cheng and taking in a few sights along the way. It became more of a test of perseverance as you will see.
Screenshot 2016-12-19 14.18.24 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Only 247 km covered today but we packed a lot in.
Popped into town for some breakfast at the Simlay then it was to Jar site 2 for some pictures.
PB300836 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300837 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300841 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_091749 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_092152 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_092334 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_092604 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Then only a couple of km away the old tank (its now gated fence around it now and the sign has gone).
PB300830 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300832 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300833 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Making great time it was onto the spoon village at this rate we expected to be in Long Cheng by noon, but that plan came to a dead end when we got stopped by the police at the bridge in Phaxay. I tried my usually line of bullshit but the refused us entry saying the road was too difficult for motorcycles, i eventually got them to agree to let us to the spoon village so long as we returned within one hour.
The guy in the spoon village was doing good trade at 10k kip a piece of so called war scrap spoons which in reality are just bits of aluminium bought from the local scrap yard.
20161130_100009 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_100407 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
I did contemplate just firing off from here to Sam Thong but thought better of it and we proceeded back to the nice policeman at the checkpoint.
It was clear we had two options, either anti clockwise towards 13N and head South or clockwise to Khoune, I recalled Auke had mentioned a new road to Saysomboune that would get us to Phu Bia then head North. It was a no brainer so Khoune it was, armed with the co ords of the turn from Auke.
Some early Hmong new festivities along the way.
20161130_105739 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300856 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300857 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300865 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300866 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The 1D is very well paved these days so progress was quick.
Another new power station on route.
PB300867 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300868 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Try before you buy.
PB300869 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
This was a huge logging area not to long ago, now the log mills lay silent and there are dozens of logging truck and bulldozers laid rotting away.
PB300870 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300871 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Very chewy looking pig or buffalo skin.
PB300872 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Making the turn it didn’t look much like a new road, a local guy who spoke perfect English confirm this was indeed the new road.
PB300873 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Old suspension bridge along side a nice new concrete one going in.
PB300875 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300876 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Log bridge for trucks, not sure if this guy was stuck or just washing up.
PB300878 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Once past this point it starts as fairly graded then becomes bloody rocky.
PB300879 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300880 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
lovely clean water.
PB300881 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Off into the hills now.
PB300882 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
First signs of any real work being done, we had already passed by several small villages that are now abandoned.
PB300883 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Beautiful waterfall at the rod side, i hope they can retain this.
PB300884 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Nicely graded out.
PB300885 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Some of the highest elevation of the trip on this trail.
20161130_134032 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300889 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300892 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
We eventually decanted down into the plateau that was once Lima 22.
20161130_140214 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
We stopped in Ban Om for a drink, my chicken got looks of attention.
PB300894 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
From here the surface improves and is very well graded all the way.
PB300896 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300898 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Great views too.
PB300900 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_145640 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_145735 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
We reached Anouvong as the local band practised under the watchful eye of the not so impressed teacher.
PB300902 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Phu Bia way off in the distance was a welcome sight.
20161130_154229 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
To cut a long story short we made it up to the army check point at N18.97149° E102.92419° and i rode round it to the screams of the soldiers.
Rather than be shot in the back i went back to have a chat, the conversation went around us not being allowed to go to Long Cheng. Spinning as much bullshit as i could muster i told them i was to visit a friend in Long Cheng ( which was true) and we would turn back the next day and come back the same route.
For whatever reason heading north to Sam Thong was not going to happen, so after they searched our bags and we had a laugh and a beer (fortunately they were all pretty pissed) they agree to let us pass.
Onwards to the now regular photo spot.
20161130_161843 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_161903 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Lots of roadworks along this section, noticed all construction trucks the whole way had armed soldiers with them so something is going on.
PB300915 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
20161130_165115 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Hiding his face when he saw my camera.
20161130_165123 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Well we made it, not the easier route but perseverance paid off.
20161130_172314 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB300919 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Fully loaded.
20161201_104249 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
We decided to stay two nights and spend a day taking some pictures, we had a visit form the local police and after we had paid the bribe was told we could not go outside town to the north, no pictures of the army camp and we could not visit the royal compound for whatever reason.
Having said that we still had a good few nights in the company of Mr Sayasomone, they even have a nightclub or sorts to get you into the early hours.
Some shots around town.
The new monks doing the walk around for the first time.
20161201_064714 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010922 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010926 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The locked workshop where all the goodies are stored or so they say.
20161201_094520 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Mud glorious mud.
PC010929 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Not much of a life for these pigs, the sheet to the right is where they are butchered.
20161201_095224 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Gen Vang Pao’s place.
PC010931 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Spotted this in the bbq pork shop, not sure if its from back in the day but if it is then it would have some stories to tell for sure.
PC010932 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010934 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
In all its glory skyline ridge, bathed in sunshine.
PC010938 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Monks now have opened the temple.
PC010939 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010943 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010944 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010947 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010948 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PC010949 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
If you look closely you can still find bits of old war stuff.
PC010953 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The famous strip.
PC010954 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Not exactly premier league.
PC010961 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
PB280826 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB290828 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrToday was to be an enjoyable jaunt to Long Cheng and taking in a few sights along the way. It became more of a test of perseverance as you will see.
Screenshot 2016-12-19 14.18.24 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrOnly 247 km covered today but we packed a lot in.
Popped into town for some breakfast at the Simlay then it was to Jar site 2 for some pictures.
PB300836 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300837 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300841 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_091749 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_092152 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_092334 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_092604 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThen only a couple of km away the old tank (its now gated fence around it now and the sign has gone).
PB300830 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300832 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300833 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrMaking great time it was onto the spoon village at this rate we expected to be in Long Cheng by noon, but that plan came to a dead end when we got stopped by the police at the bridge in Phaxay. I tried my usually line of bullshit but the refused us entry saying the road was too difficult for motorcycles, i eventually got them to agree to let us to the spoon village so long as we returned within one hour.
The guy in the spoon village was doing good trade at 10k kip a piece of so called war scrap spoons which in reality are just bits of aluminium bought from the local scrap yard.
20161130_100009 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_100407 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrI did contemplate just firing off from here to Sam Thong but thought better of it and we proceeded back to the nice policeman at the checkpoint.
It was clear we had two options, either anti clockwise towards 13N and head South or clockwise to Khoune, I recalled Auke had mentioned a new road to Saysomboune that would get us to Phu Bia then head North. It was a no brainer so Khoune it was, armed with the co ords of the turn from Auke.
Some early Hmong new festivities along the way.
20161130_105739 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300856 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300857 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300865 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300866 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe 1D is very well paved these days so progress was quick.
Another new power station on route.
PB300867 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300868 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrTry before you buy.
PB300869 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThis was a huge logging area not to long ago, now the log mills lay silent and there are dozens of logging truck and bulldozers laid rotting away.
PB300870 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300871 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrVery chewy looking pig or buffalo skin.
PB300872 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrMaking the turn it didn’t look much like a new road, a local guy who spoke perfect English confirm this was indeed the new road.
PB300873 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrOld suspension bridge along side a nice new concrete one going in.
PB300875 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300876 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrLog bridge for trucks, not sure if this guy was stuck or just washing up.
PB300878 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrOnce past this point it starts as fairly graded then becomes bloody rocky.
PB300879 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300880 by Bob Kelly, on Flickrlovely clean water.
PB300881 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrOff into the hills now.
PB300882 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrFirst signs of any real work being done, we had already passed by several small villages that are now abandoned.
PB300883 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrBeautiful waterfall at the rod side, i hope they can retain this.
PB300884 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrNicely graded out.
PB300885 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrSome of the highest elevation of the trip on this trail.
20161130_134032 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300889 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300892 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWe eventually decanted down into the plateau that was once Lima 22.
20161130_140214 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWe stopped in Ban Om for a drink, my chicken got looks of attention.
PB300894 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrFrom here the surface improves and is very well graded all the way.
PB300896 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300898 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrGreat views too.
PB300900 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_145640 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_145735 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWe reached Anouvong as the local band practised under the watchful eye of the not so impressed teacher.
PB300902 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPhu Bia way off in the distance was a welcome sight.
20161130_154229 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrTo cut a long story short we made it up to the army check point at N18.97149° E102.92419° and i rode round it to the screams of the soldiers.
Rather than be shot in the back i went back to have a chat, the conversation went around us not being allowed to go to Long Cheng. Spinning as much bullshit as i could muster i told them i was to visit a friend in Long Cheng ( which was true) and we would turn back the next day and come back the same route.
For whatever reason heading north to Sam Thong was not going to happen, so after they searched our bags and we had a laugh and a beer (fortunately they were all pretty pissed) they agree to let us pass.
Onwards to the now regular photo spot.
20161130_161843 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_161903 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrLots of roadworks along this section, noticed all construction trucks the whole way had armed soldiers with them so something is going on.
PB300915 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr20161130_165115 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrHiding his face when he saw my camera.
20161130_165123 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWell we made it, not the easier route but perseverance paid off.
20161130_172314 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPB300919 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrFully loaded.
20161201_104249 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWe decided to stay two nights and spend a day taking some pictures, we had a visit form the local police and after we had paid the bribe was told we could not go outside town to the north, no pictures of the army camp and we could not visit the royal compound for whatever reason.
Having said that we still had a good few nights in the company of Mr Sayasomone, they even have a nightclub or sorts to get you into the early hours.
Some shots around town.
The new monks doing the walk around for the first time.
20161201_064714 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010922 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010926 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe locked workshop where all the goodies are stored or so they say.
20161201_094520 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrMud glorious mud.
PC010929 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrNot much of a life for these pigs, the sheet to the right is where they are butchered.
20161201_095224 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrGen Vang Pao’s place.
PC010931 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrSpotted this in the bbq pork shop, not sure if its from back in the day but if it is then it would have some stories to tell for sure.
PC010932 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010934 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrIn all its glory skyline ridge, bathed in sunshine.
PC010938 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrMonks now have opened the temple.
PC010939 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010943 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010944 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010947 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010948 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPC010949 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrIf you look closely you can still find bits of old war stuff.
PC010953 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe famous strip.
PC010954 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrNot exactly premier league.
PC010961 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
