Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
A whirlwind trip with family through Laos (Tad Lo, Tad Fane, Wat Phou and the Khone Phapheang falls) and Thailand (Prasat Phanom Rung and the Phimai Historical park) - 4100 km. in 12 days - fun but also tyring. The route: Chiangmai, Nan, Loei, Thakhaek, Saravan (Tad Lo, Tad Hang), Pakxong (Tad Fane), Champasack (Wat Phou), Don Khong (Khone Phapheang), Surin (Prasat Phanom Rung), Korat/Nakorn Ratchasima (Phimai Historical Park) and Jomtien with the family staying here a few days before continuing their trip to New Zealand and myself back to Chiangmai. Not a real trip report but just some pictures from the trip.
Tad Hang Falls - N15.53211 E106.27185
Tad Lo Falls - N15.52769 E106.27288
We made an attempt at the Tad Suong Falls from Ban Khiangtat Soung but abandoned it as it looked like that there was no water flowing at all. There are two ways of getting there. We started at Ban Khiangtat Soung at N15.50585 E106.27273 where people can show you the way to the bottom of the falls or you can go to Ban Sanim-Nai (Sanumnai) at N15.49855 E106.26951 where a short walk brings you to the top of the falls with spectacular views over the country side.
Tad Soong (Suong) N15.49918 E106.27369 (Picture copyright Ken Marshall)
On to Tad Fane (N15.18362 E106.12703) off Rd. 16 from Pakxong to Pakxe
The first time I went there, there were a lot of orchids for sale but this time no more although there were still a few flowering
From here we went to Champasack and Wat Phou. Unfortulately I could not join my family here due to other commitments on that day, so just some pictures from an earlier trip to Wat Phou with my son when we blundered in to the Wat Phou festival when thousands of people visit the ancient temple complex
Normally when I am out there on my way to the 4000 Islands I have lunch at the Kingfisher Lodge at N14.77277 E106.04352 as it is always very peaceful here with beautiful views over Bueng Gnai Kiatngong but this time we could not make it so just some pictures of the views
So we went straight Don Khong for the night but, as we had ample time, we made a quick lap around the island
The new bridge over the Mekong which replaced the ferry to Don Khong
Another new bridge at the northern most tip of Don Khong to Don San which seems to be the norther-most island of the 4000-island area
Low water at the Mekong between Don Khong and Don San
The ferries have now moved to the other side of Don Khong to provide a link with the area west of the Mekong river at N14.21036 E105.80400 near Ban Houaygnang
The view from the restaurant (N14.11840 E105.85587) of Pon's Riverside GH late afternoon and early morning. What surprised us was that everywhere the views were obscured by a lot of dust in the air eventhough it was only January - probably a sign to come of worse views once the burning of the fields starts in earnest.
Khone Phaphaeng Falls
Our last night in Laos we stayed in Pakxe with dinner at "Le Panorama" restaurant at the 7th floor of the Pakxe Hotel (N15.12006 E105.79885) from where you have nice views over the city
Sunset over Pakxe
To be continued in the Thailand Trip Report thread
Tad Hang Falls - N15.53211 E106.27185
Tad Lo Falls - N15.52769 E106.27288
We made an attempt at the Tad Suong Falls from Ban Khiangtat Soung but abandoned it as it looked like that there was no water flowing at all. There are two ways of getting there. We started at Ban Khiangtat Soung at N15.50585 E106.27273 where people can show you the way to the bottom of the falls or you can go to Ban Sanim-Nai (Sanumnai) at N15.49855 E106.26951 where a short walk brings you to the top of the falls with spectacular views over the country side.
Tad Soong (Suong) N15.49918 E106.27369 (Picture copyright Ken Marshall)
On to Tad Fane (N15.18362 E106.12703) off Rd. 16 from Pakxong to Pakxe
The first time I went there, there were a lot of orchids for sale but this time no more although there were still a few flowering
From here we went to Champasack and Wat Phou. Unfortulately I could not join my family here due to other commitments on that day, so just some pictures from an earlier trip to Wat Phou with my son when we blundered in to the Wat Phou festival when thousands of people visit the ancient temple complex
Normally when I am out there on my way to the 4000 Islands I have lunch at the Kingfisher Lodge at N14.77277 E106.04352 as it is always very peaceful here with beautiful views over Bueng Gnai Kiatngong but this time we could not make it so just some pictures of the views
So we went straight Don Khong for the night but, as we had ample time, we made a quick lap around the island
The new bridge over the Mekong which replaced the ferry to Don Khong
Another new bridge at the northern most tip of Don Khong to Don San which seems to be the norther-most island of the 4000-island area
Low water at the Mekong between Don Khong and Don San
The ferries have now moved to the other side of Don Khong to provide a link with the area west of the Mekong river at N14.21036 E105.80400 near Ban Houaygnang
The view from the restaurant (N14.11840 E105.85587) of Pon's Riverside GH late afternoon and early morning. What surprised us was that everywhere the views were obscured by a lot of dust in the air eventhough it was only January - probably a sign to come of worse views once the burning of the fields starts in earnest.
Khone Phaphaeng Falls
Our last night in Laos we stayed in Pakxe with dinner at "Le Panorama" restaurant at the 7th floor of the Pakxe Hotel (N15.12006 E105.79885) from where you have nice views over the city
Sunset over Pakxe
To be continued in the Thailand Trip Report thread
