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
Lak Sao To Villabouri
Screenshot 2017-01-28 13.55.32 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Total distance 278 km
The ride from Lak Sao starts off as a pretty uneventful paved ride, hard to imagine in a few hours we will be in the thick of the HCM Trail and numerous water crossings and a very scary canoe ride.
A cold start had us riding through the mist covered mountains.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f43c by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f43d by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The road is now nicely paved and this came as a surprise as we climbed the mountain road.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f444 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
There are several beautiful carvings in progress and many more yet to be started.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f442 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f448 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f447 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f43f by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f44a by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f449 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Soon the sun broke through as we reached the flooded area’s near Donchaleun.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f44e by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f44f by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f451 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The missile at Gnommalth still remains unseen to many people who pass by without knowing.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f456 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f455 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f454 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
A slight detour and a break from the pavement had us in some pretty area’s.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f458 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f45d by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f45a by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Some sandy tracks to be found made it interesting.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f45f by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Soon off the hard stuff into more familiar sandy tracks and karst.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46a by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f460 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
One of the few nice graded sections to be found.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f490 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The famous wobbly bridge still going strong.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f462 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f467 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f464 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
View from the bridge gives some idea how much rain flows by in the rainy season to the river.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f469 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Next stop the fascinating village of Pannop.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46c by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
This is an amazing village and filled with war scrap of all kinds.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f477 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f475 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The village Wat and the fighter tail section, definitely a place to stay for the night some time..
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46e by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46f by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f473 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f470 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Back on the HCMT soon begins the cross cross of water crossings.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f47b by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f47d by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Arriving at Banfai Ford we watched as no bike attempted to ride across so decided on the dry option.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f480 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The canoe man bailing out the transport.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f481 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Ive crossed by canoe before at this point but with a stiff breeze and flowing water it was not a pleasant experience and was happy to get off.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f482 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Having made it safely across he headed back for Pounce, i hoped he would have a better crossing.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f484 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Watched this dog trying to cross, he gave up.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f485 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Pounce making a nervous entry. He told me later he was done with canoe crossings !!
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f486 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
More water.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a1 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Bridge or water ??
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f49d by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Bridge was not a good choice on this one.
bosrMqEpQcimpL2HzNfiEw_thumb_f49a by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
We stopped in the small village Phil and I had previous been shown a slow dispensing launcher and spoke to the Pu Yai, hr knew nothing of it, but the collar that held the unit in place was now hanging from a tree behind him so i guess its gone for scrap.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f49b by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f499 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
The village now boasted a nice new wat.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f496 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f498 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
esC4eqUcRPW4oMLONsVXgQ_thumb_f497 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f494 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
We stopped to give some gifts to the kid’s
2m0eVF2ESEWIX8wckfuOxg_thumb_f48e by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
a5u7Es%kR1i746dgfsBt+A_thumb_f48d by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Desperately poor area, but still can have a satellite dish.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a5 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Even the bomb casings can’t save this house.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a6 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a3 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Drying bamboo sticks.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a4 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Happy kid with his new toy.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f495 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
these guys had broken down to stopped to give them a push but even with another iron buffalo pulling it was no go.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f491 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f492 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Who needs a posh bike.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f493 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Arrival in Villabouri and the Tina Gh, it had been a fun day and a day full of contrasts.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a9 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
Screenshot 2017-01-28 13.55.32 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrTotal distance 278 km
The ride from Lak Sao starts off as a pretty uneventful paved ride, hard to imagine in a few hours we will be in the thick of the HCM Trail and numerous water crossings and a very scary canoe ride.
A cold start had us riding through the mist covered mountains.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f43c by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f43d by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe road is now nicely paved and this came as a surprise as we climbed the mountain road.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f444 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThere are several beautiful carvings in progress and many more yet to be started.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f442 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f448 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f447 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f43f by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f44a by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f449 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrSoon the sun broke through as we reached the flooded area’s near Donchaleun.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f44e by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f44f by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f451 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe missile at Gnommalth still remains unseen to many people who pass by without knowing.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f456 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f455 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f454 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrA slight detour and a break from the pavement had us in some pretty area’s.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f458 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f45d by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f45a by Bob Kelly, on FlickrSome sandy tracks to be found made it interesting.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f45f by Bob Kelly, on FlickrSoon off the hard stuff into more familiar sandy tracks and karst.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46a by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f460 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrOne of the few nice graded sections to be found.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f490 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe famous wobbly bridge still going strong.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f462 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f467 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f464 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrView from the bridge gives some idea how much rain flows by in the rainy season to the river.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f469 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrNext stop the fascinating village of Pannop.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46c by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThis is an amazing village and filled with war scrap of all kinds.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f477 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f475 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe village Wat and the fighter tail section, definitely a place to stay for the night some time..
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46e by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f46f by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f473 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f470 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrBack on the HCMT soon begins the cross cross of water crossings.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f47b by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f47d by Bob Kelly, on FlickrArriving at Banfai Ford we watched as no bike attempted to ride across so decided on the dry option.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f480 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe canoe man bailing out the transport.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f481 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrIve crossed by canoe before at this point but with a stiff breeze and flowing water it was not a pleasant experience and was happy to get off.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f482 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrHaving made it safely across he headed back for Pounce, i hoped he would have a better crossing.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f484 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWatched this dog trying to cross, he gave up.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f485 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrPounce making a nervous entry. He told me later he was done with canoe crossings !!
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f486 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrMore water.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a1 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrBridge or water ??
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f49d by Bob Kelly, on FlickrBridge was not a good choice on this one.
bosrMqEpQcimpL2HzNfiEw_thumb_f49a by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWe stopped in the small village Phil and I had previous been shown a slow dispensing launcher and spoke to the Pu Yai, hr knew nothing of it, but the collar that held the unit in place was now hanging from a tree behind him so i guess its gone for scrap.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f49b by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f499 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrThe village now boasted a nice new wat.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f496 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f498 by Bob Kelly, on FlickresC4eqUcRPW4oMLONsVXgQ_thumb_f497 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f494 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWe stopped to give some gifts to the kid’s
2m0eVF2ESEWIX8wckfuOxg_thumb_f48e by Bob Kelly, on Flickra5u7Es%kR1i746dgfsBt+A_thumb_f48d by Bob Kelly, on FlickrDesperately poor area, but still can have a satellite dish.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a5 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrEven the bomb casings can’t save this house.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a6 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a3 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrDrying bamboo sticks.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a4 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrHappy kid with his new toy.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f495 by Bob Kelly, on Flickrthese guys had broken down to stopped to give them a push but even with another iron buffalo pulling it was no go.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f491 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrUNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f492 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrWho needs a posh bike.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f493 by Bob Kelly, on FlickrArrival in Villabouri and the Tina Gh, it had been a fun day and a day full of contrasts.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f4a9 by Bob Kelly, on Flickr
