tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6769188429569186192024-02-19T08:32:50.376-08:00Mekong Motorcycle DiariesMekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-20485255736574386152014-11-29T06:27:00.000-08:002014-11-29T06:27:50.631-08:00Summary
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<span style="font-size: large;">Summary</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Total Trip Distance: 4408 km</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Duration: 6 weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Thailand</u> (Chiang Mai, Khaem Son, Khao Yai,
Aranyaprathet)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Cambodia</u> (Siem Reap,
Phnom Penh, Kratie) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Vietnam</u> (Ho Chi Minh City -by
bus)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Laos</u> (Pakse, Thakhek, Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang
Prabang)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Thailand</u> (Thung Chiang,
Chiang Mai)</span></div>
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</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWkX4bevpaXqc_ovCHXGVyz-0T8LJYZVMH7foEtbsQEwuVt3jzFKFxc2B-KequdaW_VKOfE-7EJcR3op0-f3JpdAfTHQA9vk_u7v4ngOcn-F71x2tj7g8_rO8EnyclRvY7as1nuYHlwk/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWkX4bevpaXqc_ovCHXGVyz-0T8LJYZVMH7foEtbsQEwuVt3jzFKFxc2B-KequdaW_VKOfE-7EJcR3op0-f3JpdAfTHQA9vk_u7v4ngOcn-F71x2tj7g8_rO8EnyclRvY7as1nuYHlwk/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back at home in Chiang Mai</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">When first planning this trip we were both going to be on
Mark’s CBR 250.<span> </span>Luckily he
upgraded to the CBX 500 in January which meant Jenny started riding the CBR. She
enjoyed riding a bigger bike enough that we decided to take 2 bikes on the
trip.<span> </span>We can’t imagine what the
rougher bits of the roads would have been like with both of us on the CBR!</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We changed the route slightly as we went, and were glad to
discover the Laos/Thai border crossing that saved a day and turned out to be a
great alternative.<span> </span>The biggest
change was deciding not to try to drive to China.<span> </span>There were several factors: <span> </span>difficulty getting across the border, that motorbikes are not
allowed in Kunming or on the Hwy to Dali, much colder weather and finally, that
we are only permitted to have the bikes outside of Thailand for 30 days and we
were already 16 days into our second permit.<span> </span>We are going to fly Chiang Mai – Kunming the week we get
home to finish the interviews for Mark’s research.</span></div>
Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-81059782220371392802014-11-29T05:59:00.000-08:002014-11-30T02:45:53.042-08:00Day 46-47: Luang Prabang, Laos – Chiang Mai, Thailand<span style="font-size: large;">Fri, Nov 28: Luang Prabang, Laos – Thung Chiang, Thailand</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had been thinking of putting the bikes on a slow boat to
Houay Xai to avoid the dirt and gravel roads on the way to Luang Namtha that
many have warned us about taking, but we decided to drive to a new land border
crossing at Muang Ngeun/Huai Kon which would take us into Nan province in
Thailand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe that we
hadn’t heard of this before – it was great and only 2 days from LP-CM!
(Hwy#13-4-4a in Laos)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4a was a narrow twisty mountain road with frequent patches
of gravel construction that kept the speed down but the scenery was
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last 30km was on a
wide, smooth, paved road from a new coal power plant in Hongsa right to the Thai
border (Thailand gets 80% of the power generated). The border was simple and
small – took less than 1 hour!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving
in Nan Province was exceptional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hwy#101
is a great new road with stunning scenery of rolling hills and lots of panorama
views while winding along the crest of mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed many big trucks carrying huge loads of lumber out
of Laos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told that it is
exported by Chinese companies who then stockpile it just across the border
until it is legal to take to Bangkok and then by boat to China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Companies always find a way to evade
environmental protection policy at the expense of poorer countries…so sad to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stayed at Siam Garden Bungalows with hosts Dao & Marco
in Thung Chiang – great place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Laos: 4 hrs - 228 km ; Thailand: 1 hr - 50 km </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Total: 5hrs - 278km</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUbllxTxKnHqPyMdVyfU4g0gYOVRkfhYVSzPRCOGsqomyVfuDYqzmbP0FP3fMevD2tHRi121PKLEN7zszIZ7jtfmfatuikqO_MHvDCCvGemh4bHPmBEsLV33fueIUDBRypC75dzfBYaw/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUbllxTxKnHqPyMdVyfU4g0gYOVRkfhYVSzPRCOGsqomyVfuDYqzmbP0FP3fMevD2tHRi121PKLEN7zszIZ7jtfmfatuikqO_MHvDCCvGemh4bHPmBEsLV33fueIUDBRypC75dzfBYaw/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Landslide road collapse in Laos</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfc2QHKtjTgiZr721RIcNdI9jLOVovF74evNBensZVFJZiMFt47DgYujhXKg_QFokWInv0HzMA2EBefohmdpxxuHiM8EvurbNzQBHvS10G3lQc_z4KfLugd8eEN6F22cxFNv6K-l0IXg/s1600/IMG_3099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfc2QHKtjTgiZr721RIcNdI9jLOVovF74evNBensZVFJZiMFt47DgYujhXKg_QFokWInv0HzMA2EBefohmdpxxuHiM8EvurbNzQBHvS10G3lQc_z4KfLugd8eEN6F22cxFNv6K-l0IXg/s1600/IMG_3099.JPG" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sat, Nov 28: Thung Chiang – Chiang Mai</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the final home stretch today we started on twisty
mountain roads in Nan Province, stopped for lunch by the lake in Phayao and
finished coming in on Hwy #118 where we could finally get back up to cruising
speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice to be home on our
quiet little soi where everything seems to be in order.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Driving time: 6 hrs</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Distance: 348 km</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rolling hills in Nan Province, Thailand</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXwa8vLsMSjgjinbdKorsB7CTOrKpmNCwJI29HwYcR4-M6wacUv7gvvjiMbOt0BnsOqfPuNAup4YM0N8VFj6sEZg_B1GHr42AfEIzh5pLyfxX8qMMg46hcn7m3CKFxhFuLQlkKGqQ-XM/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXwa8vLsMSjgjinbdKorsB7CTOrKpmNCwJI29HwYcR4-M6wacUv7gvvjiMbOt0BnsOqfPuNAup4YM0N8VFj6sEZg_B1GHr42AfEIzh5pLyfxX8qMMg46hcn7m3CKFxhFuLQlkKGqQ-XM/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-53351608464881296772014-11-29T02:46:00.000-08:002014-11-29T02:46:47.243-08:00Day 43-45: Luang Prabang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtAILNTNomClPFSg0tTDE5tbvUlMvrXOJkNcKcD0fEzIi5qkQL20qpvm-gBnmBStJbnV_JEzrGrTlZsUsjGS6L6zuP4bjWemo7uJYzFgEelW9M-lAn23CEo0IA_KXD52b_RWzZ8Pcmk8/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtAILNTNomClPFSg0tTDE5tbvUlMvrXOJkNcKcD0fEzIi5qkQL20qpvm-gBnmBStJbnV_JEzrGrTlZsUsjGS6L6zuP4bjWemo7uJYzFgEelW9M-lAn23CEo0IA_KXD52b_RWzZ8Pcmk8/s1600/IMG_2968.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nov 25-27, 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Drove to Luang Prabang through beautiful mountain scenery. Started and ended back on #13 where there were many big potholes - both of us went right through a deep one, glad to come out the other side without tire punctures, but most of the way was on a new road. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQOVz7jFP8R2zvsav3zOtkHZ0S2HCLC8tootymz3OKaR_ou3soFXd7bYGvJ1KDeom5xIEX3uF3bDaAPnhnN6E0M09sEVLi893ZqTMCtFpgAnhU0GqzUFXGM6MQS9067Oy_arGFyJtUuQ/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQOVz7jFP8R2zvsav3zOtkHZ0S2HCLC8tootymz3OKaR_ou3soFXd7bYGvJ1KDeom5xIEX3uF3bDaAPnhnN6E0M09sEVLi893ZqTMCtFpgAnhU0GqzUFXGM6MQS9067Oy_arGFyJtUuQ/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hwy#4: Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">passing the water buffalo</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqzNNJWMyFrLhdkthLmJKrRy5l_uHzy3xBs6H7mO0Vi9q6jCKctvGj20TRC9kf3sE2pa_Q3D1SWV9uoJZt7qCSd-sXbbai47AolaejyeIsGc6NDNedY9j2eNCTCoXlykcH6RZ5s8GtMc/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqzNNJWMyFrLhdkthLmJKrRy5l_uHzy3xBs6H7mO0Vi9q6jCKctvGj20TRC9kf3sE2pa_Q3D1SWV9uoJZt7qCSd-sXbbai47AolaejyeIsGc6NDNedY9j2eNCTCoXlykcH6RZ5s8GtMc/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG" height="165" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Luang Prabang is a beautiful Unesco World Heritage site with temples and monks everywhere, the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers to the north and west, colonial buildings, cafes and restaurants that feel like you're in Europe and a big walking market every night. Went out to the stunning Tad Kuang Si waterfall with its pools of brilliant blue water and had a swim to cool off.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of Laos' many beautiful butterflies</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wat Suwannaphumaham</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9NN5K7LbltRuKokBoOg7_fVJmaDIhijDJpOO1rCCypgMzey4JWDkSeZmOO684-Gef9fbP6ecjML1IzjI1FYXY85E1bHtWlT3FhAqb1Rp7shACTC3zWtbqf4WqGqY7XTvT7B3qmtJFmk/s1600/IMG_2975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9NN5K7LbltRuKokBoOg7_fVJmaDIhijDJpOO1rCCypgMzey4JWDkSeZmOO684-Gef9fbP6ecjML1IzjI1FYXY85E1bHtWlT3FhAqb1Rp7shACTC3zWtbqf4WqGqY7XTvT7B3qmtJFmk/s1600/IMG_2975.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Creative lighting using old bomb casing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoHpvKW756fq2G5zTQSw-11te-NNjiLxiOR79WIN0xHiXPIxy9Id5Hnyvcq6lYYeoKNOrxVgbxwwdFYDT5PQTA1Wqi-lpRggetty4vnSCjQZ6t1L1S8fINgze5tUvgbB1c7rZAeNLVlg/s1600/IMG_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoHpvKW756fq2G5zTQSw-11te-NNjiLxiOR79WIN0xHiXPIxy9Id5Hnyvcq6lYYeoKNOrxVgbxwwdFYDT5PQTA1Wqi-lpRggetty4vnSCjQZ6t1L1S8fINgze5tUvgbB1c7rZAeNLVlg/s1600/IMG_3035.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mosaic tree of life at Wat Xieng Thong</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc8nnz_po2S0TctVaijaiASIR534k1abH8J51EHlYSXvfFfoqJ2DCn5heEl_HM9G_UnUx2LZgCGrdvVhkqNfbfjrju-qzbNy1ZPWS3uGxDFxLHHNJ9BuksorrDAY2L1vdPE4kiEecr2A/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc8nnz_po2S0TctVaijaiASIR534k1abH8J51EHlYSXvfFfoqJ2DCn5heEl_HM9G_UnUx2LZgCGrdvVhkqNfbfjrju-qzbNy1ZPWS3uGxDFxLHHNJ9BuksorrDAY2L1vdPE4kiEecr2A/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monks crossing the bamboo bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAK0VE6OnKWJivS8LES_Wu1iH_taNe2Rw4D2X0q4UoW_NDo3y1QzVxqD_RcrH9ZlZGyeU6ML2DJZW2lCux3iyMPuPedEQtA5QaDLE7zmWItOhDwpQyvUWBo66LtvI2JVh5EYFjrGLm0A/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAK0VE6OnKWJivS8LES_Wu1iH_taNe2Rw4D2X0q4UoW_NDo3y1QzVxqD_RcrH9ZlZGyeU6ML2DJZW2lCux3iyMPuPedEQtA5QaDLE7zmWItOhDwpQyvUWBo66LtvI2JVh5EYFjrGLm0A/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monks crossing the bamboo bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ9QsIl9qnUGOqe_3GKLwzWyiIAvwuFhZH9-vMQVXRKIffHfioLWY_A3bU8-XJOGcc1w-Npyb2fl7b67m4Ig8RTD1l3pr8OAzGnNoPeEjDL4i8UI1VxL_JfwgR4fmnIF6AuMOHz02Eg0/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ9QsIl9qnUGOqe_3GKLwzWyiIAvwuFhZH9-vMQVXRKIffHfioLWY_A3bU8-XJOGcc1w-Npyb2fl7b67m4Ig8RTD1l3pr8OAzGnNoPeEjDL4i8UI1VxL_JfwgR4fmnIF6AuMOHz02Eg0/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bamboo bridge over Mae Nam Kham</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGaqfpBVUyRht-o5pae0U79pumFBgIVxZc1ghLxs2OnZwXT2LEsDp3XSGeSTlD2gDubOGZIa5-f2nw4CRX_v2dwLUNKYdgxJi71YlrGBNmR6ZEzzG8OiEji9jvgka_LDvNPRUS3rBbTo/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGaqfpBVUyRht-o5pae0U79pumFBgIVxZc1ghLxs2OnZwXT2LEsDp3XSGeSTlD2gDubOGZIa5-f2nw4CRX_v2dwLUNKYdgxJi71YlrGBNmR6ZEzzG8OiEji9jvgka_LDvNPRUS3rBbTo/s1600/IMG_3051.JPG" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mae Nam Kham</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrSCSxMSA1LQDnN0e0JUkMNB_nTFwoLP9FiBNusmmurliOnxDAsvx9OGm6v76EGBcd15HgRA4EecHbX0OeobW5D1n6xZBCc4aj4end0t8zrp0J-STnr4eNvWKNo2nvSnJJMh5yt5abRM/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrSCSxMSA1LQDnN0e0JUkMNB_nTFwoLP9FiBNusmmurliOnxDAsvx9OGm6v76EGBcd15HgRA4EecHbX0OeobW5D1n6xZBCc4aj4end0t8zrp0J-STnr4eNvWKNo2nvSnJJMh5yt5abRM/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tad Kuang Si</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEico6lnQUOLac4iD3kNGpyH4dX7PRh7jOkCQqWq9_UQuk5UIXcPbeEvK0Xqlhg5R1r0nHBR3GJkmu4TMt7c92TjhR1JZ9o_LKNMVNEDiq6UUVrwgRgAJ-Xohx1H8hyZU27HQ7tZ3eNnAvM/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEico6lnQUOLac4iD3kNGpyH4dX7PRh7jOkCQqWq9_UQuk5UIXcPbeEvK0Xqlhg5R1r0nHBR3GJkmu4TMt7c92TjhR1JZ9o_LKNMVNEDiq6UUVrwgRgAJ-Xohx1H8hyZU27HQ7tZ3eNnAvM/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tad Kuang Si</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-16483294140603386902014-11-25T22:51:00.000-08:002014-11-26T20:13:00.857-08:00Day 41-42: Vang Vieng - Mountains, Mohitos & Marihuana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ4MfNb5yFev76y12tloDf2nXuZyHbG1_ttaukTHKxJp6k8FKPQt4Oh8KwCmvPzY_udujA_dPAD-cN4WdJWwlkFnGiz4AnzzD4VbsuxVrpKiC05YKAZ_TNSBKzA1t4lCIW-qfZs-JXvU/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ4MfNb5yFev76y12tloDf2nXuZyHbG1_ttaukTHKxJp6k8FKPQt4Oh8KwCmvPzY_udujA_dPAD-cN4WdJWwlkFnGiz4AnzzD4VbsuxVrpKiC05YKAZ_TNSBKzA1t4lCIW-qfZs-JXvU/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nov 23-24, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drove
to Vang Vieng today on reasonable roads, paved but lots of random
potholes, getting some mountain twists and turns. Hard to get going
very fast as at any moment you may come around a bend right into a tire
swallowing crater</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">155km - 3 hours.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgCfYZpccic8uTw1nH15y5tShj1NMCKubgSe6hyphenhyphen3jkn61ZygLKretRz7n_SLlH05fDINiy34dzqtmljznTDRrttzJQNMWAxFCc9jhgrhX6Yj4gUJi-gtr5RsvDfMxGZfn5kCR4OA6D0o/s1600/IMG_2944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgCfYZpccic8uTw1nH15y5tShj1NMCKubgSe6hyphenhyphen3jkn61ZygLKretRz7n_SLlH05fDINiy34dzqtmljznTDRrttzJQNMWAxFCc9jhgrhX6Yj4gUJi-gtr5RsvDfMxGZfn5kCR4OA6D0o/s1600/IMG_2944.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Careful - those cows never signal when turning</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVAr7MmO66qriGOmQUIZf_lLBpIzFOuVvp36SWFFzeIhtlYxQPvjrQbVeT_DjCe6aUXmmB67_JCt-R4UaOP3NfxwBcDUbnl3MyWRFb5tdeck09gF6v-h4Sz-L-9byb7IXrFhXOhZxIz0/s1600/IMG_2964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVAr7MmO66qriGOmQUIZf_lLBpIzFOuVvp36SWFFzeIhtlYxQPvjrQbVeT_DjCe6aUXmmB67_JCt-R4UaOP3NfxwBcDUbnl3MyWRFb5tdeck09gF6v-h4Sz-L-9byb7IXrFhXOhZxIz0/s1600/IMG_2964.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loose gravel and potholes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We rented bicycles and rode 7km out for a swim at the
Blue Lagoon through beautiful karst mountains. Vang Vieng has lots to
offer with rock climbing, tubing and kayaking all the rage as well as being a backpacker party spot. And yes,
"Friends" is still playing at several riverfront lounge bars where
patrons can buy joints, opium, mushroom tea and more. This has been toned down and is more subtle compared to 10 years ago when we were last here and various stimulants were advertised on sidewalk signs. The current
tourist tank-top that many of the 20 somethings are wearing is: "Drink
triple, See double, Act single"....kinda sums it up.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P8wlbaclAIiWCVHuzd52JC_lVMbCQDiIof7-8FqS-TDjkft6lUhC61Azr8USERhQvrTOsVsDoWe_FP2KCGD3IPmeVXjHHN1ugtlyfo1RqtfZy5cfaonqqfd1HxmuC5ikK7_5QKrdMjo/s1600/IMG_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P8wlbaclAIiWCVHuzd52JC_lVMbCQDiIof7-8FqS-TDjkft6lUhC61Azr8USERhQvrTOsVsDoWe_FP2KCGD3IPmeVXjHHN1ugtlyfo1RqtfZy5cfaonqqfd1HxmuC5ikK7_5QKrdMjo/s1600/IMG_2924.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f2qjKFxbSr5hpCRVoXYeqV_coPq49L9fRBoj5bXgyMXfiglJeky_IkK6BqVv142yypSZTeN3q6KPntAM7tR5sJmVnri14q3ZcEvPGEBg0Duep7joizrfRaYPBanlh6PxqIrr3S6S9TM/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f2qjKFxbSr5hpCRVoXYeqV_coPq49L9fRBoj5bXgyMXfiglJeky_IkK6BqVv142yypSZTeN3q6KPntAM7tR5sJmVnri14q3ZcEvPGEBg0Duep7joizrfRaYPBanlh6PxqIrr3S6S9TM/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-6dUUTmw6zqiOJvvXKQCaQtwyuqQxpGpu443Lf0PJq57X5dJCVRtZe2dU5t5K3sPcm3AAfJ0flPYsHAaluNwDFFiLCZDdB-JaPDQPScueMVyJUPqI9KfN9AUE6Nzuo6e-9R2cjJO3yg/s1600/IMG_2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-6dUUTmw6zqiOJvvXKQCaQtwyuqQxpGpu443Lf0PJq57X5dJCVRtZe2dU5t5K3sPcm3AAfJ0flPYsHAaluNwDFFiLCZDdB-JaPDQPScueMVyJUPqI9KfN9AUE6Nzuo6e-9R2cjJO3yg/s1600/IMG_2939.JPG" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbB0XJ0c5HHo9vqVAizFQWVn6Sd7BJE3IC4h4Q6nCFVWQ2XvdTK3BGyorg4Mhi2TcYWIjv0hZ4XLKF7szmLOr-E-my2-lteMvN3mJBQv3hRDM9sOFYzL74SlgSz9F1GFTFn6IM2P31ys/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbB0XJ0c5HHo9vqVAizFQWVn6Sd7BJE3IC4h4Q6nCFVWQ2XvdTK3BGyorg4Mhi2TcYWIjv0hZ4XLKF7szmLOr-E-my2-lteMvN3mJBQv3hRDM9sOFYzL74SlgSz9F1GFTFn6IM2P31ys/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Funky tractor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-63806257612670266552014-11-23T16:31:00.000-08:002014-11-23T16:31:12.329-08:00Day 35-40: Vientiane, COPE, weaving & dying
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Mon, Nov 17 – Sat, Nov 22</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pleased to find Vientiane a more warm and welcoming place
than when we were here last, 10 years ago, with a long pedestrian walkway and
park along the riverfront and many appealing cafes and restaurants.<span> </span>(This blog is mostly Jenny’s
exploration while Mark was busy reading and preparing for interviews.)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Visited the Morning Market, which is mostly an indoor mall
with a small outdoor market where I was appalled to see rhinoceros horns (adult
& baby) for sale alongside traditional medicine herbs and various bark and
dried plants.<span> </span>Where are they
sourcing them and who is buying them?!? Makes me angry enough to start throwing
things so I joined ‘Sabai Disc’ for an Ultimate Frisbee pick-up game – always a
good time.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Next, I went to the ‘COPE Visitors Centre’, alongside a
Rehabilitation Centre for ambulatory needs and prosthetic limbs, that has a
very well put together exhibit of how Laos people have suffered due to UXO from
the US Secret War.<span> </span>“From 1964-73,
the US dropped more than 2 million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000
bombing missions – equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24 hrs/day,
for 9 years – making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in
history. The bombings against the Pathet Lao and along the Ho Chi Minh Trail
destroyed many villages and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lao civilians.
Up to a third of the bombs dropped didn’t explode, leaving Laos contaminated
with vast quantities of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Over 20,000 people have been
killed or injured by UXO in Laos since the bombing ceased in 1975. Each year
there continue to be over 100 new casualties in Laos. Close to 60% of the
accidents result in death, and 40% of the victims are children. The U.S. spent
as much in three days bombing Laos ($51M, in 2010 dollars) than it spent for
clean up over 16 years ($51M).”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://legaciesofwar.org/about-laos/secret-war-laos/">http://legaciesofwar.org/about-laos/secret-war-laos/</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, appalling statistics of suffering that need to be
talked about.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV7YdNkBta7M3PS1O3DYEpeEzvHCJchdlR4q7h6yQZpcJC-e5M-yNeKf_0WnR6j0735MzpyJZOsWWd8vaAqTqaZGW3sSpd0A3sPKFnusgh03qY0aQKyJ2B1GPr9g8JaUPzFOJVIZ3RgY/s1600/IMG_2842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV7YdNkBta7M3PS1O3DYEpeEzvHCJchdlR4q7h6yQZpcJC-e5M-yNeKf_0WnR6j0735MzpyJZOsWWd8vaAqTqaZGW3sSpd0A3sPKFnusgh03qY0aQKyJ2B1GPr9g8JaUPzFOJVIZ3RgY/s1600/IMG_2842.jpg" height="400" width="337" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Metal sculpture of family running from bombs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-i7cRSZaGqxpo_7mu0d4G6On2H6Zuzn6amXlKbMm-s6Zp2Qxy6k25PPk_ushdZPz70WWB9F0VVWZP6dXmcXuVcgQYhoIx8L-5qXKMczaoCOLJ6xPL043DAqO3YxwBUKoDI50_emM5eY/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-i7cRSZaGqxpo_7mu0d4G6On2H6Zuzn6amXlKbMm-s6Zp2Qxy6k25PPk_ushdZPz70WWB9F0VVWZP6dXmcXuVcgQYhoIx8L-5qXKMczaoCOLJ6xPL043DAqO3YxwBUKoDI50_emM5eY/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prosthetic legs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNBfoNUW22GVl9hEOwa_JHWXd0Zf5hC1cWFPT9v1XYxePfg1UushyzqYe4q18af6KUA2TNAoFiTfEkNXjUDXNhmBobKGd5Z4sCX1AGLSuOzeEEX2D6wDk4dxKYjTsiobnnveerSXxpeU/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNBfoNUW22GVl9hEOwa_JHWXd0Zf5hC1cWFPT9v1XYxePfg1UushyzqYe4q18af6KUA2TNAoFiTfEkNXjUDXNhmBobKGd5Z4sCX1AGLSuOzeEEX2D6wDk4dxKYjTsiobnnveerSXxpeU/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Legs falling like bombs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbzl35enInwyuQ6yIamsqtevt2PeiIDRU6T-nBqfUQwCkct3HeFgUrHPTo_vXawf81ecx5V2rck9I90-_gjUUJbf7RcqXhnHU_rGvire-oWkWPL4_MJDGZlt-M_KPcSTiatE_J8CBtIk/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbzl35enInwyuQ6yIamsqtevt2PeiIDRU6T-nBqfUQwCkct3HeFgUrHPTo_vXawf81ecx5V2rck9I90-_gjUUJbf7RcqXhnHU_rGvire-oWkWPL4_MJDGZlt-M_KPcSTiatE_J8CBtIk/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Danger UXO!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Ayuthaya;"></span></b></span><style><!--
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div.Section1
{page:Section1;} </style><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Went to Phou Khao Khouay National Park for 2 days of
trekking and a homestay in Ban Na village where they specialize in bamboo
basket weaving.<span> </span>Amazing the work
that goes into every step of these intricate baskets that they sell for
$1.25.<span> </span>Trekked with a guide for 2
days in the park seeing many iridescent scarab beetles and butterflies.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqBXGhRWHxTQc6oMYWh2EX9EEJolLhitWxNNnYYwk3QRR6uWdaKhGKNYD6XChbFPXOsvUMeAWk4_R8Ni-0U7PF66jpM1DiNGjnEq85x1LsdM3AQSGb_Ek_LDWMBwQo-ntbkojvqbMog8/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqBXGhRWHxTQc6oMYWh2EX9EEJolLhitWxNNnYYwk3QRR6uWdaKhGKNYD6XChbFPXOsvUMeAWk4_R8Ni-0U7PF66jpM1DiNGjnEq85x1LsdM3AQSGb_Ek_LDWMBwQo-ntbkojvqbMog8/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bamboo sticky rice baskets</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdyeS8yUodB0kkf7cYrwzEdYeJpLo9kMJntVHfKpB34Yy94hOmIDNToupd-VwQaVYgIW1fmWFrGL6-W5Sx-2ETtcbfiJkAU031cQomSbRRXAB55hbQluYUoTF7CbYfNSYU1oDxebXv2w/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdyeS8yUodB0kkf7cYrwzEdYeJpLo9kMJntVHfKpB34Yy94hOmIDNToupd-VwQaVYgIW1fmWFrGL6-W5Sx-2ETtcbfiJkAU031cQomSbRRXAB55hbQluYUoTF7CbYfNSYU1oDxebXv2w/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lao woman weaving baskets</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPhL_GGIK-A5YBcLwpYlBNCz2emYUYOcgmLRzPcQgqz8iPhg1qKS4Rug5aHJewzotE0QHjcBNRHjlQdzyYUogGBUs5MxuDlPuJFa8hlVF1bdhpIXBNnXVCAOTKD6A_eKGTV9e3E_lK30/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPhL_GGIK-A5YBcLwpYlBNCz2emYUYOcgmLRzPcQgqz8iPhg1qKS4Rug5aHJewzotE0QHjcBNRHjlQdzyYUogGBUs5MxuDlPuJFa8hlVF1bdhpIXBNnXVCAOTKD6A_eKGTV9e3E_lK30/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">weaving a bamboo basket</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy61AkLSGIezGW3wirfRbss9835dNNMaDKhYbZhtf7YnfKF68ShBVEoI_vE2Xp-LHt7wKsTXgrtNg_PxT1ZVxnqwyK2l3XSdGRXuIWulCLG8eFpvjUDEdlTaQmF7bVZbobsakVwOSTK4M/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy61AkLSGIezGW3wirfRbss9835dNNMaDKhYbZhtf7YnfKF68ShBVEoI_vE2Xp-LHt7wKsTXgrtNg_PxT1ZVxnqwyK2l3XSdGRXuIWulCLG8eFpvjUDEdlTaQmF7bVZbobsakVwOSTK4M/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" height="273" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Iridescent scarab beetle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKZU5MuSb7ykga1dcvW2n-igR7LuopoT1Rp8RfYp39VcBRoGBSTR8ooCa1qO5ohV8j5TYOht76TrG3pIXYEwdjG8nwkt3p90jRkRi-zHY3CP5un5lfj5jJ-DKR2skx5iGyIfUsYpVkDQ/s1600/IMG_2856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKZU5MuSb7ykga1dcvW2n-igR7LuopoT1Rp8RfYp39VcBRoGBSTR8ooCa1qO5ohV8j5TYOht76TrG3pIXYEwdjG8nwkt3p90jRkRi-zHY3CP5un5lfj5jJ-DKR2skx5iGyIfUsYpVkDQ/s1600/IMG_2856.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><b>Went out to Houey Hong
Vocational Centre for Women for 2 days of learning traditional weaving and
dying. They use only natural materials for dying such as indigo, jackfruit
& mahogany bark, Thai ebony, onion skin and stick lac resin (left from
insects).<span> </span>I tie-dyed a silk scarf
using indigo and wove 2 silk scarves.<span>
</span>Many women were t</b><b>here – some with small children – in a warm, friendly
environment.<span> </span>At lunch one day one
of the guys was roasting a rat over the fire – presumably to eat.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywb4k-9oeAngmk5AiEkUx10b_ERMR55_YnyEMZHpJRXjNIA4SjTVVXJU6amIPZaBUfI2T-JRh1Sxx-f-33IqhTMOF5XFWyQ65kR1vOJCpCHAAFqI4glPDLfcd21qmol_U0FFSxGEgAkg/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywb4k-9oeAngmk5AiEkUx10b_ERMR55_YnyEMZHpJRXjNIA4SjTVVXJU6amIPZaBUfI2T-JRh1Sxx-f-33IqhTMOF5XFWyQ65kR1vOJCpCHAAFqI4glPDLfcd21qmol_U0FFSxGEgAkg/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" height="253" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Indigo dyed silk thread hanging to dry</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_v-oAD1ZiUkgolvJAx_RcWEc0ZcW5ym859B4x_G8R1WJwr4-HyqDbMBw3TyAmdgnGjKHOUS3EtqgZ_RPll-cyLeYYP-ghbMeqFLHvs1MMXe45MOPlN8B1OnFwHdrni8ueYB5wm0Azxk/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_v-oAD1ZiUkgolvJAx_RcWEc0ZcW5ym859B4x_G8R1WJwr4-HyqDbMBw3TyAmdgnGjKHOUS3EtqgZ_RPll-cyLeYYP-ghbMeqFLHvs1MMXe45MOPlN8B1OnFwHdrni8ueYB5wm0Azxk/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marigolds, seeds and bark used for dying</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHstDONs0cPAEkDhO4SUU-vqWJNgrA1ipHJMD4w-RWGMgvEqFBV0lFiSPO2_rW6DrgKDwrgi4olmKomU-GwM8BhpTA_DFVRV1VrWdb5Auw1V2qiqhwgbgCQWo-1p0JTMJAHbVsPlxqMK0/s1600/IMG_2911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHstDONs0cPAEkDhO4SUU-vqWJNgrA1ipHJMD4w-RWGMgvEqFBV0lFiSPO2_rW6DrgKDwrgi4olmKomU-GwM8BhpTA_DFVRV1VrWdb5Auw1V2qiqhwgbgCQWo-1p0JTMJAHbVsPlxqMK0/s1600/IMG_2911.JPG" height="244" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Silk scarf that I tie-dyed and indigo thread</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82Pu6KF0iqAfH-zwo3pXQbBKeWGZrNvN7-yyA9Z2gszRUnZMQYEx_R396JA4AiKMHFs4Y_KgeM0Qgjfk5c8pyZWid2BTIRXMLaqdeQH65iEG7yW8ZhelufzsU_fgi4G9J_85S1ks7qbw/s1600/IMG_2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82Pu6KF0iqAfH-zwo3pXQbBKeWGZrNvN7-yyA9Z2gszRUnZMQYEx_R396JA4AiKMHFs4Y_KgeM0Qgjfk5c8pyZWid2BTIRXMLaqdeQH65iEG7yW8ZhelufzsU_fgi4G9J_85S1ks7qbw/s1600/IMG_2919.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Silk scarf that I wove on the loom</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i_Xj3iael2KhJ2VSfW_d5omNRn5a3P3GjwF56pmyBEZTUQU9lwJI-kM1W-sjhMNwDMcn76ZmdHlJnmC4eZDbpFfi3nUASmwSgIekt8c4JD91aS1_ozrDWkeFvnfpt7fl2tUWbdCDvGc/s1600/IMG_2906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i_Xj3iael2KhJ2VSfW_d5omNRn5a3P3GjwF56pmyBEZTUQU9lwJI-kM1W-sjhMNwDMcn76ZmdHlJnmC4eZDbpFfi3nUASmwSgIekt8c4JD91aS1_ozrDWkeFvnfpt7fl2tUWbdCDvGc/s1600/IMG_2906.JPG" height="196" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rat roasted over open fire</b></span></td></tr>
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Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-68284180703074439832014-11-17T09:34:00.003-08:002014-11-17T09:34:58.890-08:00Day 31-34: Thakhek- karst mountains, rock climbing; drive to Vientiane
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunset over Thailand across the Mekong</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monks along the Mekong</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thurs, Nov 13 – Sun, Nov 16</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thakhek is a chill little town on the Mekong with lots of
undulating limestone karst hills, caves, grottoes and rivers between it and the
Vietnam border, only 150km away.<span>
</span>We decided to stay here and explore for a few days as Mark has to wait
until later next week for an interview in Vientiane.<span> </span>While Mark was catching up on some work I drove out through
the spectacular hills, went swimming in a blue lagoon, and did a whole day of
fabulous rock climbing at ‘Green Climbers Home’.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blue lagoon for a swim</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeZ_EntZu3FsfhQxQuXSj6YIZWxwQrCGK2bXC0O4dPx_tflfisuaIvTyzd-ylMVAOPEO3amxB8_T0X6uY7sH_MUXls0Lz2k2b1BU_g0clpSquyPLXE6AuKT8_Nl_Uc3qe7pQMkQDPcjc/s1600/IMG_2803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeZ_EntZu3FsfhQxQuXSj6YIZWxwQrCGK2bXC0O4dPx_tflfisuaIvTyzd-ylMVAOPEO3amxB8_T0X6uY7sH_MUXls0Lz2k2b1BU_g0clpSquyPLXE6AuKT8_Nl_Uc3qe7pQMkQDPcjc/s1600/IMG_2803.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Green Climbers Home</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfmzO4QGGRUGNEhcho24E-Ir0QDuiQgSZb5XEg-GCPINoH_m4dLcanLND-nRPqySA9BJkMpdm86BHaeo_7ATigO0mEA2hcgno9569H-MVAQos9xdaDNPx909d1IMojGZOQpXd3TeF3fQ/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfmzO4QGGRUGNEhcho24E-Ir0QDuiQgSZb5XEg-GCPINoH_m4dLcanLND-nRPqySA9BJkMpdm86BHaeo_7ATigO0mEA2hcgno9569H-MVAQos9xdaDNPx909d1IMojGZOQpXd3TeF3fQ/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rock climbing</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQDkPtgOZedfgfye7WzCkSylPh-1aocpkZR5rJE599PoqX27c4lBto32zSdltD0n2pEJanQL_ubOHACGbz5FgONwPqPYQE2QQtXtSSswUb7P9SV4s_O0eG-r-zqCdaNXX_cGmyPAMapo/s1600/IMG_2813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQDkPtgOZedfgfye7WzCkSylPh-1aocpkZR5rJE599PoqX27c4lBto32zSdltD0n2pEJanQL_ubOHACGbz5FgONwPqPYQE2QQtXtSSswUb7P9SV4s_O0eG-r-zqCdaNXX_cGmyPAMapo/s1600/IMG_2813.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yoga on the small ledge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday we drove to Vientiane on great roads through the
countryside.<span> </span>We saw some women
submerged in a pond up to their chests who were fishing with traditional Laos
dip nets on bamboo poles.<span> </span>Arrived
in Vientiane and had a short walk along the Mekong and through town to get our
bearings – lots of places to go back to later this week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP5ldQWw5xUA0CpGf52EgwT-9dxXXaxjdxXHOPkAazFQXIUWDGVjSCMt8IWgQ_qgbbw3a83-hVcj-IV9jXPdPmHX-7fIqL8ulzJcxo98G94mEqL2qrrBEAwJRIaQwIT6nhGFiCbqxMaY/s1600/IMG_2830.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP5ldQWw5xUA0CpGf52EgwT-9dxXXaxjdxXHOPkAazFQXIUWDGVjSCMt8IWgQ_qgbbw3a83-hVcj-IV9jXPdPmHX-7fIqL8ulzJcxo98G94mEqL2qrrBEAwJRIaQwIT6nhGFiCbqxMaY/s1600/IMG_2830.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Total </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">driving time: 5:30 hrs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Total </span><span style="font-size: large;">distance: 340km<span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Women fishing with dip nets</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goat crossing</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goose crossing</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cow crossing</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-16076030004900721662014-11-13T02:09:00.000-08:002014-11-14T02:33:46.705-08:00Day 28-30: Thailand border run, Chillin' in Pakse, Pakse to Thakhek<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H3UHZDMbW_JDpKC2oyG51_6V4RPoyCHTLvU3Iz_gbolGp7bLx3FTtN_QzG4L0rnyE_gXGOJFY1fm-AY9Q75Niu6aVvsZqIOjUZBLmesrTsQsFpofYuTkxa4Nur79kx20Dbw48_9SqsI/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H3UHZDMbW_JDpKC2oyG51_6V4RPoyCHTLvU3Iz_gbolGp7bLx3FTtN_QzG4L0rnyE_gXGOJFY1fm-AY9Q75Niu6aVvsZqIOjUZBLmesrTsQsFpofYuTkxa4Nur79kx20Dbw48_9SqsI/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" height="255" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bridge over the Mekong towards Thailand</span></td></tr>
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</style><span style="font-size: large;">Mon, Nov 10</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Left at 9:30 and drove 45 km (1hr) to Thai border today to
renew our 30 day export papers for the bikes. Went through:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Lao Customs: check bikes out</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whew, 4.5 hours and several copies, photos, scans and reams
of paperwork later we were done and headed back to Pakse.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Transporting monks in Pakse</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tues, Nov 11</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoying the laid back pace of Laos, we decided to stay an
extra day in Pakse to cruise through the countryside. Enjoyed staying at the Sala Champa Hotel where we met Doug,
a Canadian, who splits his time between travel in SE Asia and running
DogSledFarm.com north of Toronto.
We also met 3 Malaysian guys who are riding bikes through Laos and
Thailand and shared some experiences of the roads. Drove 40km to Tad Fan waterfall which was spectacular – 2
long plumes of water falling 120m from an almost vertical wall of jungle. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Patient transfer with IV bag!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tad Fan Waterfall - 120m</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wed, Nov 12</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Headed north to Thakhek on gravel and dirt road construction
just leaving Pakse then the rest of the way was paved and fast. Occasional potholes and goats or cows
on the road were the only obstacles.
Pulled into Thakhek just past 3:00 and stepped out to watch the
sun setting over Thailand across the Mekong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Total Driving Time:
5:00hrs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Total Distance:
335km</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09vulZu2mBl7XzzHxwnsIcGUS_b4F6n2JGwtKw9Y6mKQLqNyF6H2SUKN6wLY9VkcbQF5iDfBWQrOH2hdlLQN0qFeDRYB_C-CEEu-CaKGJ1hgHQpo1zzgvsfH6NxcG-uMPP068fTtUe24/s1600/IMG_2691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09vulZu2mBl7XzzHxwnsIcGUS_b4F6n2JGwtKw9Y6mKQLqNyF6H2SUKN6wLY9VkcbQF5iDfBWQrOH2hdlLQN0qFeDRYB_C-CEEu-CaKGJ1hgHQpo1zzgvsfH6NxcG-uMPP068fTtUe24/s1600/IMG_2691.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqShx0JJgByy_8ESNKSIdAbWrKK1hhaYkNuOqBV_uX13GUETASXy5Yne0GYCqoojkj4kxN94M2p0MopoY3ngWw736IAO-n_PAeG76UsCt-c8czZFRbqXd2RL6IPveR9qklTgpmVWOE6wE/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqShx0JJgByy_8ESNKSIdAbWrKK1hhaYkNuOqBV_uX13GUETASXy5Yne0GYCqoojkj4kxN94M2p0MopoY3ngWw736IAO-n_PAeG76UsCt-c8czZFRbqXd2RL6IPveR9qklTgpmVWOE6wE/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-88286409581931825832014-11-12T19:35:00.000-08:002014-11-14T01:29:55.696-08:00Day 27: Kratie…Cambodia/Laos border…Pakse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhhMcDRelMVl9tKt6g8L1XE617t72CiikNdcMV-xiM8OuB4w_0woOXKR4yFK3KAViAZeGAm02MfeRl7uyUrQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytVeDjeIO9HxYhozxVVmNG6wRO_OMiA0CFrrFa4LUamtykK6kQKhIammPuaTDVw9DBt0rWoGZH_Y2WtIx5OA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Navigating the Enduro course - Jenny's video: in the still shot at the end you can see the headlight cover we made - it is illegal to have the headlights on during the day so we had to cover them.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVDWeH1CLj2S7PzdwoV-idfNuyQT_TrgCMPKGBvoCHF2Y4WXWKIJBeCZYpDFcMkki7DBJ3SNmHaswKEiozVtrfIxeM4frEfUWm-Ma08X_0MG0Zsa3bOoPFkLpCxPMQbKIX4_zv8ZP_GY/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVDWeH1CLj2S7PzdwoV-idfNuyQT_TrgCMPKGBvoCHF2Y4WXWKIJBeCZYpDFcMkki7DBJ3SNmHaswKEiozVtrfIxeM4frEfUWm-Ma08X_0MG0Zsa3bOoPFkLpCxPMQbKIX4_zv8ZP_GY/s320/IMG_2654.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">'100 Column Temple' in Pakse</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8wbyFCUSRmEO2NlqLRwS2-atmjfJ7fa1qnsoXCeNmq7wu0xJHjKOSQpeivHsE2etPfed-lbBAJHPMEhrGpI4rUQ7roQaBc8WWBFanDDdRtyftZyVplqHYq80q46wSYBKlmKYO5NbbeA/s320/IMG_2656.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">colourful paintings inside the temple</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sun, Nov 9</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visited the '100 Column Temple' before leaving the Kratie riverside on good, paved roads for
the first 10 km. Then it turned to
a graded dirt road for the next 100 km. Next we had a short bit of good paved road for 50 km which soon turned
into a moonscape that was the worst roads we had ever seen. There would be short stretches of paved
road that would transform into a rollercoaster of heaved pavement, gravel and
dirt. Several times we had to stop
before the rough bits to navigate the best course through the slaloms and
moguls. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUOyyuZc5SjPadleNJw7BzP-jbzD1nk-k1Xfkn50YPIKqgN3rkb07SZiphfHV7-84oFStpKazC1frK9EpmgYQzVVeK_cViut-6ZCIK_tAfxy-AJ3FqG7viHYxJ4nI8Jqe3nF0_AMOJEo/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUOyyuZc5SjPadleNJw7BzP-jbzD1nk-k1Xfkn50YPIKqgN3rkb07SZiphfHV7-84oFStpKazC1frK9EpmgYQzVVeK_cViut-6ZCIK_tAfxy-AJ3FqG7viHYxJ4nI8Jqe3nF0_AMOJEo/s320/IMG_2659.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">graded dirt road for 100km</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51jAJfFmzwr714gTjYn2eaAqJSO2RlVmP4RFXkrPKpd-juEDNYTIREa1q5FbFatmGVLA6TnQIuRh6Ua-106PtaR7WfIohVzyJbHBTqBWLsrS7wLhD7eYAXntsUp_4TOyodfylEqHjwbE/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51jAJfFmzwr714gTjYn2eaAqJSO2RlVmP4RFXkrPKpd-juEDNYTIREa1q5FbFatmGVLA6TnQIuRh6Ua-106PtaR7WfIohVzyJbHBTqBWLsrS7wLhD7eYAXntsUp_4TOyodfylEqHjwbE/s320/IMG_2661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">loose gravel and heaved pavement</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VY927lc81ZoYUIhO60ed49jBYBuEIvrfpKBHcE80pMwjRXkpfGzjmCPx8rC-zoPxwrkJgKEi528hVFP2lBX5-y_BetE1B_l7H9flTDvVdfmmnBp5fRYi0H_bmGT3PAD9KcQNfqzVgYo/s1600/IMG_2663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VY927lc81ZoYUIhO60ed49jBYBuEIvrfpKBHcE80pMwjRXkpfGzjmCPx8rC-zoPxwrkJgKEi528hVFP2lBX5-y_BetE1B_l7H9flTDvVdfmmnBp5fRYi0H_bmGT3PAD9KcQNfqzVgYo/s320/IMG_2663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enduro course on National Hwy #7</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aEkGx9ejY3EJO8R-aGKY9A-ynxPNE38YEGNjbr2_qhDpC_S7YrPdJ3_pnLkn9E6QPA-mlos03cpscl3pcAxR932LyPDLm6kqOD0pykDSY0gT-PGOuWTg-XRUo_ezrISWiRjkBGvAsuw/s1600/IMG_2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aEkGx9ejY3EJO8R-aGKY9A-ynxPNE38YEGNjbr2_qhDpC_S7YrPdJ3_pnLkn9E6QPA-mlos03cpscl3pcAxR932LyPDLm6kqOD0pykDSY0gT-PGOuWTg-XRUo_ezrISWiRjkBGvAsuw/s320/IMG_2666.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Children playing in the road ruts</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3HtlcCkns0l-EZSESO3pqT-wcQmRKGOk-g-UIRhNY3SiLlMdWBwksN1glgWD3VRXVhQwsTFbfdXbPtaT1DqRUO1wzZ7UAN9g3P8-CuOKCXv-9i_jIsF73c_3Uq0ILFfaeXH5xq4xX7E/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3HtlcCkns0l-EZSESO3pqT-wcQmRKGOk-g-UIRhNY3SiLlMdWBwksN1glgWD3VRXVhQwsTFbfdXbPtaT1DqRUO1wzZ7UAN9g3P8-CuOKCXv-9i_jIsF73c_3Uq0ILFfaeXH5xq4xX7E/s320/IMG_2671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark navigating through the slaloms and moguls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIYUdPJtbDPP5NdAoQj3vNPdN27UfAlno2CmL6FHYt6uph41mlp6UFB_ny_k5CNH7_jJvouicTTxvsfBFqW1pYFWvKXh5LQJPxCOjl4xZZh0Fmhm_B6K34Bi-EoxVJqbt5CSTw6_mPGA/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIYUdPJtbDPP5NdAoQj3vNPdN27UfAlno2CmL6FHYt6uph41mlp6UFB_ny_k5CNH7_jJvouicTTxvsfBFqW1pYFWvKXh5LQJPxCOjl4xZZh0Fmhm_B6K34Bi-EoxVJqbt5CSTw6_mPGA/s320/IMG_2668.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waiting for oncoming traffic to get through</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">It continued like this right up to the Laos border where we
were greeted by a friendly customs agent at the quietest, most chill border
crossing I’ve ever seen. We joked
with him while filling out paperwork that should have been done when we first
crossed into Cambodia to get the bikes registered. Turns out they were only legally in the country for the last
10 minutes of the 2.5 weeks they were there. Other than us, the only people that were crossing at the
same time was a family riding one of the makeshift tractors, not enough to
disturb the border guards resting in their hammocks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once on the Laos side, 45 minutes later, the roads were
excellent and we drove on towards Pakse (170km). The only thing that occasionally made us have to slow down
were random water buffalo, cows, goats, dogs and chickens that wandered onto
the road. Arrived in Pakse at 5:30
after driving past a spectacular sunset behind the mountains. And yes…we are back in the mountains, yeah!!! The first hills we’ve seen since
leaving Thailand – Cambodia and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam are dead flat. Excited for the mountain driving to
come in Laos! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Left: 9:20</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Arrived: 5:30</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cambodia: 4:20 hrs…..200 km</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Laos:
2hrs…..160 km</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Total driving:
6:20 hrs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Total distance:
360 km </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-10615663325365798482014-11-10T19:37:00.003-08:002014-11-19T16:50:37.672-08:00Day 26: Phnom Penh to Kratie & Irrawaddy Dolphins!!<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sat, Nov 8
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Left early to avoid heavy traffic and the police
roadblocks. Dirt roads were the
worst just outside Phnom Penh with potholes still filled with last night’s
rain. After getting through that,
the rest of the way was mostly paved roads with sporadic potholes. The best roads came on the last 160km
when we decided to skip the shortcut rumoured to be pretty rough and take the
longer way for a fast extra 90 km.
Pulled in to Kratie just before 2:00 and found a hotel overlooking the
Mekong. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnGWHtTl-zimIme-aHfk1qL1BFh1C2SqdfpMSrLOjhenUUzS_CLWdh19ZyhB-2pC1IXIjRChKZLNKXAUmEp6ru6iJHf6V7zJ_EPaamVA0Onl9pii5ZUXlatKHuHHXGGYvaA2iOsyv520/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnGWHtTl-zimIme-aHfk1qL1BFh1C2SqdfpMSrLOjhenUUzS_CLWdh19ZyhB-2pC1IXIjRChKZLNKXAUmEp6ru6iJHf6V7zJ_EPaamVA0Onl9pii5ZUXlatKHuHHXGGYvaA2iOsyv520/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3FQaCKGJugG5nxtFs2Bw-q6FlT5de1KIKXH3nSnzBksBrg2hh39kZR1rqZV6mEDL-hejqeGcwXKJZXY07WDMe5-_m27Pr1e2JzhYY-9g4qJYAyMhLiRBco0kDVi_8WRito2P2TE6MZE/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3FQaCKGJugG5nxtFs2Bw-q6FlT5de1KIKXH3nSnzBksBrg2hh39kZR1rqZV6mEDL-hejqeGcwXKJZXY07WDMe5-_m27Pr1e2JzhYY-9g4qJYAyMhLiRBco0kDVi_8WRito2P2TE6MZE/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" height="400" width="318" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's a driver on that bike somewhere!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeodRyhuc7pSJG2X04VmrGhlnTU7fsiAmJv-Toz0uj7sCGqBB7eBO7BZhIQ4PDvfU825bsSxMEew80TvWpxyayByaNmYkd5Tm6brjPTZ_rtmXqUuzk9WdF_G9foPZIBAGMrN6K3chId2M/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeodRyhuc7pSJG2X04VmrGhlnTU7fsiAmJv-Toz0uj7sCGqBB7eBO7BZhIQ4PDvfU825bsSxMEew80TvWpxyayByaNmYkd5Tm6brjPTZ_rtmXqUuzk9WdF_G9foPZIBAGMrN6K3chId2M/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG" height="283" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dusty chickens</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RItgsylNpg5EQwcsg-csXkhR7pBVoTCCRWREZ0IJiX0irbypXf60L8sP8U6Y2HnEUyObfIPrPT0QSLB5klt7QRCMRKgCcJ8r6Z61TAHdZkjvgw1mEpvBVa7Azt_y3hpubwhJ4sbtku0/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RItgsylNpg5EQwcsg-csXkhR7pBVoTCCRWREZ0IJiX0irbypXf60L8sP8U6Y2HnEUyObfIPrPT0QSLB5klt7QRCMRKgCcJ8r6Z61TAHdZkjvgw1mEpvBVa7Azt_y3hpubwhJ4sbtku0/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG" height="315" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_pGE8wlI97wLnUWXdUzD5wMfLaS49vvla0kV8ZYCEtPCXPghT3MFVNpSa09kn0s6_HQPxTO6S7fs1a_l1kYzsblst8kmnjssJYSxGGSBsQSmZY8i7a6GfqlU6WkZm1APFCm2Z_AXyXA/s1600/IMG_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_pGE8wlI97wLnUWXdUzD5wMfLaS49vvla0kV8ZYCEtPCXPghT3MFVNpSa09kn0s6_HQPxTO6S7fs1a_l1kYzsblst8kmnjssJYSxGGSBsQSmZY8i7a6GfqlU6WkZm1APFCm2Z_AXyXA/s1600/IMG_2230.JPG" height="297" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We drove up-river to see the Irrawaddy Dolphins and the
sunset by boat.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">They are a threatened
species of the world’s only fresh-water dolphin – WWF says only 78 to 91 still
survive in this area (others can be found in Malaysia and Burma)</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Once in the
boat we were shocked to see many dolphins swimming in the vicinity.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Cambodia has made efforts in recent
years to protect the dolphin and educate local fishermen and boaters of the
need to preserve the dolphins.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">We
were thrilled to see several of them as they have fascinated me ever since we
first heard and read about them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54lgiPvkj4fKpk9HTE5pvplYu5PZG2IabONHE6EXJ8z2bECL0H1IuRNmIoHMgVtpWphVwiKCGGSO-6SuyQH_5BmOHkdGMVPMpCFm7sQcBLMVUjSYspT8E9TfCAp7rYY0oKZVvX-UDQVo/s1600/IMG_2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpEKgZteKGvBZVnhAIqUlDja-TftI8KiJUr4ECgrc4w3LrJvZIrgkFbVmP58QYs3-KhNFZbg9ZXjyBcBtWQmQidcJIGW8YfNYUQJvpzyo6fkmm_FaqsOXtS6hrchrLxyw-EjdIlev3DE/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpEKgZteKGvBZVnhAIqUlDja-TftI8KiJUr4ECgrc4w3LrJvZIrgkFbVmP58QYs3-KhNFZbg9ZXjyBcBtWQmQidcJIGW8YfNYUQJvpzyo6fkmm_FaqsOXtS6hrchrLxyw-EjdIlev3DE/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpEKgZteKGvBZVnhAIqUlDja-TftI8KiJUr4ECgrc4w3LrJvZIrgkFbVmP58QYs3-KhNFZbg9ZXjyBcBtWQmQidcJIGW8YfNYUQJvpzyo6fkmm_FaqsOXtS6hrchrLxyw-EjdIlev3DE/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" height="320" width="282" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54lgiPvkj4fKpk9HTE5pvplYu5PZG2IabONHE6EXJ8z2bECL0H1IuRNmIoHMgVtpWphVwiKCGGSO-6SuyQH_5BmOHkdGMVPMpCFm7sQcBLMVUjSYspT8E9TfCAp7rYY0oKZVvX-UDQVo/s1600/IMG_2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54lgiPvkj4fKpk9HTE5pvplYu5PZG2IabONHE6EXJ8z2bECL0H1IuRNmIoHMgVtpWphVwiKCGGSO-6SuyQH_5BmOHkdGMVPMpCFm7sQcBLMVUjSYspT8E9TfCAp7rYY0oKZVvX-UDQVo/s1600/IMG_2554.JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem-J2zI11fvp6BuMoKASHWkKwP5DOBSl06ULBMMKvXrS3NNrEoc0ArEdq6a5YCg6c769FZdteHZiWazMPYs7cXIwlARyfs9QgnZQ7ao8eK4J3pgSI8ql3yHKa1Z1YhyphenhyphenGYluII9LZhqDw/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem-J2zI11fvp6BuMoKASHWkKwP5DOBSl06ULBMMKvXrS3NNrEoc0ArEdq6a5YCg6c769FZdteHZiWazMPYs7cXIwlARyfs9QgnZQ7ao8eK4J3pgSI8ql3yHKa1Z1YhyphenhyphenGYluII9LZhqDw/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" height="320" width="304" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC8B2k9rBi0LYTZaGdWLTo3Ks2yd-vRPM-OjGxj0R2M02Q3G1kpEg-SMBLmzR9KyVkj3yNV7juTBYBbFRNmWYsZ8w5jx0_bGrR2cuEt3y4r6EXRVODZ7LCZ5rivNVmb4SnG3IabwP7Vc/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC8B2k9rBi0LYTZaGdWLTo3Ks2yd-vRPM-OjGxj0R2M02Q3G1kpEg-SMBLmzR9KyVkj3yNV7juTBYBbFRNmWYsZ8w5jx0_bGrR2cuEt3y4r6EXRVODZ7LCZ5rivNVmb4SnG3IabwP7Vc/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dolphins in the setting sun</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunset over the Mekong</span></td></tr>
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6 hrs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Total distance:
326 km</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Returned to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh City by a 7 hour bus just in time for the 3 day Water Festival, Bom Om Touk. It is held on the full moon in November and marks a reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River with boat racing of 245 teams from all of the surrounding villages and provinces. Some say this regatta dates back to Angkor times as it is carved in stone at one of the temples. Many shops are closed for the holiday and the traffic was blocked making the Riverfront road and a long stretch of the wide Sihanhouk Blvd open for pedestrian strolling and families enjoying picnics along the river and on the grass in front of the Royal Palace. In the evening we found a rooftop patio to watch the last of the day's races, a </span><span style="font-size: large;">parade of barges all lit up with various emblems </span><span style="font-size: large;">and then the fireworks finale. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each long boat can hold from 40 - 80 rowers sitting or
standing as they race in pairs down the river </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade of Lights</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks finale</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We then went back to street level to eat dinner and at one point, Mark pointed out over the river to an approaching wall of rain, then shrieks went up from the crowds who came running for shelter and as many as could squeezed in between tables under cover of the restaurant. It really bucketed down for 15 minutes with the vendors scrambling to cover their carts. When the rain was down to a drizzle, the shelter seekers dispersed only to run for cover when the rain bucketed down again shortly - excitement and high drama at the riverfront. We walked home when it had all cleared and barely made it in the door when the rain started again - truly a water festival!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvsUm-igycdmuPL3FI4p5tCww5eB1LKKp-ypNX5Kjku2KQQJ11oAydTHG2rYxt2cw2XAlZk9RV5AFNm5PTQjPPiaMYMlGX91VGRhIXN7n-vtSDWlkCpKTKKuQqwWWbLrTK6iPmbFxf_k/s1600/IMG_2173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvsUm-igycdmuPL3FI4p5tCww5eB1LKKp-ypNX5Kjku2KQQJ11oAydTHG2rYxt2cw2XAlZk9RV5AFNm5PTQjPPiaMYMlGX91VGRhIXN7n-vtSDWlkCpKTKKuQqwWWbLrTK6iPmbFxf_k/s1600/IMG_2173.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crispy fried frogs!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mark had a few interviews and I walked around town getting Laos visas, and checked out the Central Market and Russian Market (named during the 1980’s when most of the foreigners in Cambodia were Russians). I went to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) which was a school before the Kmer Rouge turned it into a prison and torture facility and is now a museum and memorial. Inside are haunting photos of the victims, documentation of the current War Crimes Tribunal cases</span> <span style="font-size: large;">and 2 elderly survivors from the prison who were there to talk about their experience and share their biographies.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"> A tragic case of ideologically driven inhumanity.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kmer version of 7-11</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 Days in Saigon</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0wAH73j7mIvVDCr3oKE6y2eyuKPSW_lVIMpyGXqOrrzmHkRvtUtc27iwLUdC9oVKjPuJ5V3S3ntU0LbM9pZTO2Q6ptracB3FtP2jH179tMtXolyqN8fawKknq5x7BKHQoQ-UXNv63PE/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0wAH73j7mIvVDCr3oKE6y2eyuKPSW_lVIMpyGXqOrrzmHkRvtUtc27iwLUdC9oVKjPuJ5V3S3ntU0LbM9pZTO2Q6ptracB3FtP2jH179tMtXolyqN8fawKknq5x7BKHQoQ-UXNv63PE/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">view from bus window on route to HCMC</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We locked up our bikes in storage in Phnom Penh and headed to Ho Chi Minh City by bus. It is reportedly very difficult to get permission to drive bikes across the border into Vietnam. After 7 hours on the road we arrived in Pham Ngu Lao - the Khao San Road of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon). Enticing smells drifting from the numerous Pho (soup) stands and cafes and lots of street vendors peddling various merchandise. A man selling sunglasses will persistently show numerous pairs even though you are clearly wearing sunglasses at the time and snack vendors will approach customers while they sit and eat at a cafe to offer peanuts and fruit. Still others start by offering cigarettes and lighters and then proceed through marajuana, opium, heroine... Everything is for sale in this Communist free market economy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Halloween was a chaotic affair on our street, bringing crowds of
families and revelers on their bikes who filled the streets to capacity
and beyond. Several zombies, painted faces and masks were around, but
otherwise there were fewer costumes than spectators. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We
went to see the "AO Show" at the Opera House which had great acrobatics,
contortion, juggling and dance. Starting with 'rustic Vietnam' with
woven bowl boats, fans and bamboo poles to modern city scenes with
breakdancing and power outages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP3q-pjY4g4</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In lofty District 2 you could think you
were in Sydney or Paris with architecture like the Opera House,
People's Committee Hall, 5 Star Hotels and Hi-So shopping such as
Versace, Hermes and Rolex luxury brands. But if you hop on a motorbike
and drive just 10 minutes along the riverside you'd see the city's poorest area
with shacks of rusty corrugated steel on stilts lining one edge of the
murky Saigon River, whose stench in these parts is enough to turn your
stomach.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The motorcycle part of this blog was riding on
the back of a motorcycle taxi all around town and of course being
delighted by the size and diversity of the extreme Bikes of Burden to be
seen in Vietnam - the best I've seen anywhere. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9160X5-gaGfaLWFWlBvBo5mffBtWK9c1jkrZ3Q-GalfOqqI_dDR4R57ovKeFqzMD1so9rWe0hyHir02NpLYHVNj3d106sbATrDGD9NYF_Yx7QdXqWDZVn53OdE7oxq4F0K5vgb5iJdF4/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9160X5-gaGfaLWFWlBvBo5mffBtWK9c1jkrZ3Q-GalfOqqI_dDR4R57ovKeFqzMD1so9rWe0hyHir02NpLYHVNj3d106sbATrDGD9NYF_Yx7QdXqWDZVn53OdE7oxq4F0K5vgb5iJdF4/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Victory in war with France</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSoTIu1wnzqIrQgkKmPrQamoIUGz56drhCoF676DYiMC5aBopOKusR-8CGZaMPC8vHtR2JOEEffM_7VR7Tw4C3LJzrTgG63XQ4BdQrd59wGcX4SXSbD_fLnA5PpYtz5WmjDkncfXaZng/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSoTIu1wnzqIrQgkKmPrQamoIUGz56drhCoF676DYiMC5aBopOKusR-8CGZaMPC8vHtR2JOEEffM_7VR7Tw4C3LJzrTgG63XQ4BdQrd59wGcX4SXSbD_fLnA5PpYtz5WmjDkncfXaZng/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrate the beginning of Communism in Vietnam</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWz4_aPIRQr6wwqNxEJAkI8W205somkjm6z3166dpNXvrjNB8b0KnnXt1NtntDlfxNJC9i4Z87nhqUtlUnDG1Su_GkoV0D2oUbbySUOSPgu-tQRmKUFOJHW_IQbxLrn2TgGTeq8l-57M/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWz4_aPIRQr6wwqNxEJAkI8W205somkjm6z3166dpNXvrjNB8b0KnnXt1NtntDlfxNJC9i4Z87nhqUtlUnDG1Su_GkoV0D2oUbbySUOSPgu-tQRmKUFOJHW_IQbxLrn2TgGTeq8l-57M/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"This one is too hop", said Goldilocks</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy5OONRzc9EOWRRPggNCkemFtxf3hIT1hEv_3iepNlsS8YYSiNcYkqQxYIyrtBENqCjf6w9Nem8TQeejlxxb8u9A-_9vfTaKFZc_IHxoMN0MbQnkCbKVmEEmFkuAu-uXjhmXkznOYiio/s1600/IMG_1798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy5OONRzc9EOWRRPggNCkemFtxf3hIT1hEv_3iepNlsS8YYSiNcYkqQxYIyrtBENqCjf6w9Nem8TQeejlxxb8u9A-_9vfTaKFZc_IHxoMN0MbQnkCbKVmEEmFkuAu-uXjhmXkznOYiio/s1600/IMG_1798.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Halloween in Ho Chi Minh</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnhzOboJMRBLzAW9IgR-eUog9Z7CySuEfFsKBM0Kw5pPRhNuxL9eA_Kex3t_dzisbbEV8SzLIsrBZOrs-e3287bsBFSy37SLb1xExUTY5Lh6Ex47YbxwDPQ7UoKxlpgxGcPXuRXLW6hY/s1600/IMG_1769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnhzOboJMRBLzAW9IgR-eUog9Z7CySuEfFsKBM0Kw5pPRhNuxL9eA_Kex3t_dzisbbEV8SzLIsrBZOrs-e3287bsBFSy37SLb1xExUTY5Lh6Ex47YbxwDPQ7UoKxlpgxGcPXuRXLW6hY/s1600/IMG_1769.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Halloween in Ho Chi Minh</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzEjJrL436MPR-_enYlx4BQY-n1iObDAGLwoem_sh5tRfZ-bbwntgAIzRkX52gEu0dAOc_rQ7EopOjYK8vxtevJ-5VrPO01465uz9a7yAkQxFvYbGSNTRUwAT902-fD-WVfhUllHBanw/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzEjJrL436MPR-_enYlx4BQY-n1iObDAGLwoem_sh5tRfZ-bbwntgAIzRkX52gEu0dAOc_rQ7EopOjYK8vxtevJ-5VrPO01465uz9a7yAkQxFvYbGSNTRUwAT902-fD-WVfhUllHBanw/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Halloween in Ho Chi Minh</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTZohbIlF1CeTW_F7sn7B4w3NyC-NopRy-IwaBX7WLJT8_dJ1zbZ-tCt-4trmT4MDWZJYtUO97lTYftatSQgzG3lkMpj-LARlNQE84EECwhAXx7Uu701hG-6Q1eqf6riXXoyfpF6mn-Y/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTZohbIlF1CeTW_F7sn7B4w3NyC-NopRy-IwaBX7WLJT8_dJ1zbZ-tCt-4trmT4MDWZJYtUO97lTYftatSQgzG3lkMpj-LARlNQE84EECwhAXx7Uu701hG-6Q1eqf6riXXoyfpF6mn-Y/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Opera House in District 2</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQogRUpwcvXuPtrobj0Kby1gC3u9FckVIrFswT3I7W6Z5jmOK-Le_w9zTggyIoR5ILCA8oGrLz9fRah49Bce-a3saK5Z3MNiiB6_khk6QotYUYf15EdN5WoqmjgVDsLvgVzj_MnoxESM/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQogRUpwcvXuPtrobj0Kby1gC3u9FckVIrFswT3I7W6Z5jmOK-Le_w9zTggyIoR5ILCA8oGrLz9fRah49Bce-a3saK5Z3MNiiB6_khk6QotYUYf15EdN5WoqmjgVDsLvgVzj_MnoxESM/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">People's Committee Hall</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vO4Gru_buqaiEaiohM6JY0aXV2bXaLLAoWcKYGadX9IaANZNVvFISVom1L0NgVBiF5QSX80AnHzaoviKtknWXvfBa9LFuWDJ7dD6_DZJAi4epgN1i6uHbnaZj7WslylUCfNv1HUVNGk/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vO4Gru_buqaiEaiohM6JY0aXV2bXaLLAoWcKYGadX9IaANZNVvFISVom1L0NgVBiF5QSX80AnHzaoviKtknWXvfBa9LFuWDJ7dD6_DZJAi4epgN1i6uHbnaZj7WslylUCfNv1HUVNGk/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Watchful boats on the Saigon River</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluUd-3EQDcZh6TeKG0LXpo5uRnJkHTrzbjProDdskW9fhHgZ6750o2gKSflTjORHGfjiux7n8B1PZJIc_UPRtgkekPNCiiGE3bhQHObRAGvof6scQ7yM0proLDVyGGGRQKaD3D4Ki7MI/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluUd-3EQDcZh6TeKG0LXpo5uRnJkHTrzbjProDdskW9fhHgZ6750o2gKSflTjORHGfjiux7n8B1PZJIc_UPRtgkekPNCiiGE3bhQHObRAGvof6scQ7yM0proLDVyGGGRQKaD3D4Ki7MI/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shacks on stilts along the Saigon River</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3txLyDkSQTvRC2IYHCvt_cuiqQZshfVspErAEvRYEiOrC0-myTxmu8bOF2ks9uAf9ietTQI9LkbKpdGt0rZx8i6AzoAIq_WIK85CfbuEzqCYf9dpm4wBtqW37Q8Ipo3tCJI3qPy9HfdI/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3txLyDkSQTvRC2IYHCvt_cuiqQZshfVspErAEvRYEiOrC0-myTxmu8bOF2ks9uAf9ietTQI9LkbKpdGt0rZx8i6AzoAIq_WIK85CfbuEzqCYf9dpm4wBtqW37Q8Ipo3tCJI3qPy9HfdI/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" height="320" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVHOZAcMyafudiLAUMdryXev6ivjDcfscA2HWf-OR_6osDuwHehS7aWqrOKWPGwJB212DllL8D4YumT287pKIcC_1JE0Y_247ccxu0-mflOr86UYmpUT-hGL9Y21xEIMPUMjjYeUzZsA/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVHOZAcMyafudiLAUMdryXev6ivjDcfscA2HWf-OR_6osDuwHehS7aWqrOKWPGwJB212DllL8D4YumT287pKIcC_1JE0Y_247ccxu0-mflOr86UYmpUT-hGL9Y21xEIMPUMjjYeUzZsA/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" height="300" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fish tanker</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JoSp9j_h8pOADJnPaipwa1oainlCFl2hrgjwoeppMF7dEBxQKWTQP7w96uo5-JHfUuPX0qDEbSarizTToNz4eHkb9TXagFlorh0XyIPr0az5QMdKcIx3HRpWNlO0gaBKne2GzlX8CfU/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JoSp9j_h8pOADJnPaipwa1oainlCFl2hrgjwoeppMF7dEBxQKWTQP7w96uo5-JHfUuPX0qDEbSarizTToNz4eHkb9TXagFlorh0XyIPr0az5QMdKcIx3HRpWNlO0gaBKne2GzlX8CfU/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traveling salesman</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLazZxmMRO-fcQelCCrA06hdQDi_dUowoDZ5N0R9jXn8dfq3iVH0H0tWK0dJ73tS_TuOH1UVskVO_w_M6G-YcoIJcDQnGRVnSa3ua1xF_ggfNEpyEOmj8eG92s3pVLCRIYxr_419fa5OA/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLazZxmMRO-fcQelCCrA06hdQDi_dUowoDZ5N0R9jXn8dfq3iVH0H0tWK0dJ73tS_TuOH1UVskVO_w_M6G-YcoIJcDQnGRVnSa3ua1xF_ggfNEpyEOmj8eG92s3pVLCRIYxr_419fa5OA/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sleeper class</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJNZCCDX1i55GMQ6DpkIAeLhyoqJdwIsjZUhl3b0hmIIGXusw8_E2D9vBsxt9vRJALVwYCRv81LJ_0tpifWsg5C3Zl_9govi0iaC5E4HewW-wwl3umIELlxaVJh4AXLL77jyiALPaV5I/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJNZCCDX1i55GMQ6DpkIAeLhyoqJdwIsjZUhl3b0hmIIGXusw8_E2D9vBsxt9vRJALVwYCRv81LJ_0tpifWsg5C3Zl_9govi0iaC5E4HewW-wwl3umIELlxaVJh4AXLL77jyiALPaV5I/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To market, to market to buy a fat pig...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskO_2QbM_EbrgrLWGcMoqpvbaSdmfTGPxvZ_GmwhIL1gTdohni9rusC_MzDbLaKpbs1QIC6Oe85FMvg3zpe8CW5yySA9knwyU4N1urN5mlSzUv5uB3AGlFCe8XVu9Yxz0YBR_9V9QtN0/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskO_2QbM_EbrgrLWGcMoqpvbaSdmfTGPxvZ_GmwhIL1gTdohni9rusC_MzDbLaKpbs1QIC6Oe85FMvg3zpe8CW5yySA9knwyU4N1urN5mlSzUv5uB3AGlFCe8XVu9Yxz0YBR_9V9QtN0/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18VWGrpiKMLtT8EJ86P8Izur7LxLXQdlj9xPqCh8ytFaXhR8DFsxtbiByvVDb6uUdwQFQ9phG6mtran37ew1KOB6-20AwIy1D2L2rC_AL0ghtVdIlarhM44zVzlLVvMzlNH26ro9TF7Y/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18VWGrpiKMLtT8EJ86P8Izur7LxLXQdlj9xPqCh8ytFaXhR8DFsxtbiByvVDb6uUdwQFQ9phG6mtran37ew1KOB6-20AwIy1D2L2rC_AL0ghtVdIlarhM44zVzlLVvMzlNH26ro9TF7Y/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" height="170" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP_SymR8uPnHMQ_Vo3fYhdJvLuzpizgKG4VBoWbzdmekwcOr9KaEKZe8QU-JbyXD9bo7weNbvVS_92fc0jhv6dK0mkyPzeO2gI2iVV_Vg3TA21ry9sw-gF2ZeHTtrEHOryOqwABxE_LU/s1600/IMG_1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP_SymR8uPnHMQ_Vo3fYhdJvLuzpizgKG4VBoWbzdmekwcOr9KaEKZe8QU-JbyXD9bo7weNbvVS_92fc0jhv6dK0mkyPzeO2gI2iVV_Vg3TA21ry9sw-gF2ZeHTtrEHOryOqwABxE_LU/s1600/IMG_1836.JPG" height="286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Family of 5!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yBYvKREz9vnEozEM1TSLQcD3jxSHmcihN5pr1xulyLc6qfG5tFKC67z9dcByzO4R4Zu9gayJU8sVXKwD6RjjUBEGlel_XVKwfjZ6NdxTbKKdAoJdClhO5p3UIPfNuvo-0qG3YLJVtv8/s1600/IMG_1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yBYvKREz9vnEozEM1TSLQcD3jxSHmcihN5pr1xulyLc6qfG5tFKC67z9dcByzO4R4Zu9gayJU8sVXKwD6RjjUBEGlel_XVKwfjZ6NdxTbKKdAoJdClhO5p3UIPfNuvo-0qG3YLJVtv8/s1600/IMG_1862.JPG" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good to keep hydrated when you travel</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9-raKZXzLsCjlU-UHZ_fMnMtEKX1qLYQl-tg5ns6N74SYGN0-tx7QLyq4mJdqSSJ-RGyQQGn6iT3Zy6Z194FGJw3eY14gGWgqywaI4P-JGt95ETF9zN7ZaCePVribBBUIm6nWhYlowY/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9-raKZXzLsCjlU-UHZ_fMnMtEKX1qLYQl-tg5ns6N74SYGN0-tx7QLyq4mJdqSSJ-RGyQQGn6iT3Zy6Z194FGJw3eY14gGWgqywaI4P-JGt95ETF9zN7ZaCePVribBBUIm6nWhYlowY/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Family of 5 checking out Halloween in Pham Ngu Lao</span></td></tr>
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<br />Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-26397385009040605882014-10-27T08:28:00.000-07:002014-10-27T08:28:09.388-07:00Day 8-14: 1 week in the Penh<span style="font-size: large;">Tues, Oct 21 - Mon, Oct 27</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1 week in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia - a vibrant, blossoming city on the Mekong. We walked all over town & along the riverfront, saw a movie at a cool small theatre with
pillows, mattresses and couches to lounge on, joined in a pickup game of ultimate frisbee - barefoot slip-sliding on a rain drenched field, and
of course saw many 'bikes of burden' on the way. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark is making progress with his interviews here and setting more up for our next stop in Ho Chi Minh City. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The monsoon rains of
the region make for flash floods - turning streets into rivers that
conceal the potholes.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We stayed dry in a great little guesthouse, the Manor House. The staff were a riot when over breakfast they showed us pictures they had posted on Facebook
of themselves sitting on our bikes at the front of the hotel - joking
that they had been joyriding overnight.</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KIim5O7jjzJr9HfKIvJQJCuQFon5mzrVrN1BdF4Oue7mp6_eDMKeWlvcUw18sI_DR6dLOFbe9uxkok4Bx9gWOizLLB2zIxnR3XWhZMdHKvIOW7A9ItYUj_f__ljmfl0Av5bC-Ikuefw/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KIim5O7jjzJr9HfKIvJQJCuQFon5mzrVrN1BdF4Oue7mp6_eDMKeWlvcUw18sI_DR6dLOFbe9uxkok4Bx9gWOizLLB2zIxnR3XWhZMdHKvIOW7A9ItYUj_f__ljmfl0Av5bC-Ikuefw/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" height="320" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">staff photo shoot on the CBR</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbldJ53QVIBkRJT1spS2jN0pV_aRkZFfcRWTs09HNLz8KeMFNLEVIhRBlO_TDXXNvf-_vSZ5aH3OIvKXdZGoni8TMFBOaHOmIDlA6oMJhHw4cwRR968aIL17VPCu09PWKdHp8APV0i0Q/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbldJ53QVIBkRJT1spS2jN0pV_aRkZFfcRWTs09HNLz8KeMFNLEVIhRBlO_TDXXNvf-_vSZ5aH3OIvKXdZGoni8TMFBOaHOmIDlA6oMJhHw4cwRR968aIL17VPCu09PWKdHp8APV0i0Q/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" height="252" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Norodom Sihanouk monument (King who led Cambodia to independence from France)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh41jIqtHzltAEi0sXplkCRiNfr220Uq2BmVmIJsiyV1jOLREO1aIaZuEg1iieZsZO3pO38furahWzPdRB0tabvEDz1eBg3t0Zm1W0lr5ItDqHiMu24s0OxChwJ3d8Mc6oiTzpw5E5lyc/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh41jIqtHzltAEi0sXplkCRiNfr220Uq2BmVmIJsiyV1jOLREO1aIaZuEg1iieZsZO3pO38furahWzPdRB0tabvEDz1eBg3t0Zm1W0lr5ItDqHiMu24s0OxChwJ3d8Mc6oiTzpw5E5lyc/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" height="320" width="309" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">sidewalk barbershop</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4XptsVN4MQAA3PL5PiQjX2VpukjoIuBzcoy_hxfQucARF5PfkEykXWlmcVLWOub7Bw0VsLync_R2gNy_NRwcOGvvSgJ3uMpu99TTfGxOji0_LKGJBTG7tDEuU35zjwJ9GidKIqKIl3o/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4XptsVN4MQAA3PL5PiQjX2VpukjoIuBzcoy_hxfQucARF5PfkEykXWlmcVLWOub7Bw0VsLync_R2gNy_NRwcOGvvSgJ3uMpu99TTfGxOji0_LKGJBTG7tDEuU35zjwJ9GidKIqKIl3o/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">full service - gas station & tire repair</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitc14B6Qa_LmfqLHjTGnU7V3-qNRObaWeNAgiVuY7esFUv4R4z7el9q0m9je6G5VTbBNBfpc20fcHzOdRK8E4-a5LVhTyF-YjZJvKSKGqO7dljKv5CXwGi5PqCt8Nbc8akOVmIm2Mw6w/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitc14B6Qa_LmfqLHjTGnU7V3-qNRObaWeNAgiVuY7esFUv4R4z7el9q0m9je6G5VTbBNBfpc20fcHzOdRK8E4-a5LVhTyF-YjZJvKSKGqO7dljKv5CXwGi5PqCt8Nbc8akOVmIm2Mw6w/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">sun dried fish</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjc63k_kjsnbBw8wJibHbys4OuvoIH_xaHca7sjjkDZb17wrOIz0Iqsjaa_dkpg8PzZVy6VPbV9sS78rsUl3tSMcy0dxVGvfxUx74mV1uMXuIabJt0mijKpfHLMviN_asBnVmEr1f-M8/s1600/IMG_1267+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjc63k_kjsnbBw8wJibHbys4OuvoIH_xaHca7sjjkDZb17wrOIz0Iqsjaa_dkpg8PzZVy6VPbV9sS78rsUl3tSMcy0dxVGvfxUx74mV1uMXuIabJt0mijKpfHLMviN_asBnVmEr1f-M8/s1600/IMG_1267+-+Version+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">cutting edge architecture of '60s - now dilapidated community housing in Bassac region</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCakjjOikxAuYCq8l_0-IrEjjj6hRbZ5IpGFraztEu5g-kR7K4Xp49gsYGLMtBAbtPG2nM3yFMfkdFEFR4WaUCwO59eFL8yREavY6lRhQxPZNXiVQHIznvm7c27MbOz5Ljg8NlAACvSTc/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCakjjOikxAuYCq8l_0-IrEjjj6hRbZ5IpGFraztEu5g-kR7K4Xp49gsYGLMtBAbtPG2nM3yFMfkdFEFR4WaUCwO59eFL8yREavY6lRhQxPZNXiVQHIznvm7c27MbOz5Ljg8NlAACvSTc/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">monsoon rains cause flash floods - streets become rivers</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1VI4PNKbjR4cz-0wXCw0gyv5WuP-6bequZ_TiGN-JTbmHFGK3TqMKZayXiJd-31j90Nq_pmiykLT_yvDZjapApN20xyYufhVS_tMaUkhokOYXaU7D9DbUe_-AMuDe66SuJ2CEba-Q8M/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1VI4PNKbjR4cz-0wXCw0gyv5WuP-6bequZ_TiGN-JTbmHFGK3TqMKZayXiJd-31j90Nq_pmiykLT_yvDZjapApN20xyYufhVS_tMaUkhokOYXaU7D9DbUe_-AMuDe66SuJ2CEba-Q8M/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" height="320" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> fuel delivery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF0QuLgi8mbsRZEIi72XEpm2aEwnq0VsPuglecbOxWAeyypiKNRTESMaZ6CfU5y1S5fzbSgVRXBmKH2US_TNAeumrljdB5kD7fjEpADm-NJfy2Bxs-WoGlMYE-XCDVMRj3SlWog279Gc/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF0QuLgi8mbsRZEIi72XEpm2aEwnq0VsPuglecbOxWAeyypiKNRTESMaZ6CfU5y1S5fzbSgVRXBmKH2US_TNAeumrljdB5kD7fjEpADm-NJfy2Bxs-WoGlMYE-XCDVMRj3SlWog279Gc/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" height="265" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sugarcane makes for a sweet ride</span></td></tr>
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<br />Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-40758980002366457642014-10-20T21:46:00.000-07:002014-10-21T07:06:51.149-07:00Day 7: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh<style>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mon,
Oct 20, 2014</span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Left
Siem Reap at 9:45 on a good road for most of the first hour. The paved road with scattered potholes soon
turned to dirt road with scattered paved sections, tire swallowing craters and
ruts like ski moguls that sent us airborne. This was very slow going – averaging 40km/hr in a continuous
dust cloud. After a short lunch
break, the road inconceivably worsened and remained the same for the next 200
km. This, by the way, was the National Highway. Hours later, we arrived on the outskirts of
Phnom Penh – dirt encrusted with eyes full of dust and proceeded to navigate
the chaotic city traffic to our resting point at the Manor House. Whew – exhausted and proud we made it!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Left:
9:45 </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Siem Reap - Phnom Penh</span></span></span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrived:
6:30</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Breaks:
approx. 1:15 hrs</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Driving
time: 7:30</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total distance: 328 km</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbJVDBKpdVRAy52YQMqPzhyphenhyphen4Vhxroos_zP_OMZsLu0DmozLSQSiW4HgcRirU3MgQP9tJYwCqCnP60qDMh1OU7KENwedlVFAKJ0nIzZeYBiohyphenhyphenOTt33bmb6_G-AJIyk_UNe1myttG2DKA/s1600/IMG_1122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbJVDBKpdVRAy52YQMqPzhyphenhyphen4Vhxroos_zP_OMZsLu0DmozLSQSiW4HgcRirU3MgQP9tJYwCqCnP60qDMh1OU7KENwedlVFAKJ0nIzZeYBiohyphenhyphenOTt33bmb6_G-AJIyk_UNe1myttG2DKA/s1600/IMG_1122.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwEvfk4VF0bVpTG7c5vN28p7geNdgTYzqw7Rqt27YaBmyTtoLP4Q_82FZm_ePS0QJw2sFssrodgzj1A0PhwgWbkcC6aOGcdbv9rW32Xt4wMAMpF8-yhALrfd6dAnCh6kaG2OS2uvZMsE/s1600/IMG_1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwEvfk4VF0bVpTG7c5vN28p7geNdgTYzqw7Rqt27YaBmyTtoLP4Q_82FZm_ePS0QJw2sFssrodgzj1A0PhwgWbkcC6aOGcdbv9rW32Xt4wMAMpF8-yhALrfd6dAnCh6kaG2OS2uvZMsE/s1600/IMG_1116.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQhx4EBh55HvLC6iybhabs8CC4MSJJY57Bn9JfGa3uVf6K1JXiUsg8kRodli0GKIRWfGaHaMHRaREBBpvnXbwvsUBTio5NZor5ZaPgF0vYd7lMlYGXFYYdpHxeD_P_RvUmoCvwMnVY80/s1600/IMG_1123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQhx4EBh55HvLC6iybhabs8CC4MSJJY57Bn9JfGa3uVf6K1JXiUsg8kRodli0GKIRWfGaHaMHRaREBBpvnXbwvsUBTio5NZor5ZaPgF0vYd7lMlYGXFYYdpHxeD_P_RvUmoCvwMnVY80/s1600/IMG_1123.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXBJkg68SZZehHJ-5z8xuP73DsA-xWCiTuDYkP7d5JLHwuvydrw8s9MdTnU3L3wzwHta7E3ejaVoWnI9tnBZS-AfbtBFF1abyUCE7miuOOCXZjgKuMY8YlYIAxpn7XZX0HAe5x68ZqXE/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXBJkg68SZZehHJ-5z8xuP73DsA-xWCiTuDYkP7d5JLHwuvydrw8s9MdTnU3L3wzwHta7E3ejaVoWnI9tnBZS-AfbtBFF1abyUCE7miuOOCXZjgKuMY8YlYIAxpn7XZX0HAe5x68ZqXE/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-36543201696063820632014-10-20T18:30:00.000-07:002014-10-20T21:11:27.160-07:00Day 5&6: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat<style>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sat/Sun,
Oct 18-19, 2014</span>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Walking
around the Old Market area of Siem Reap in the evening and visiting Angkor Wat
temples in the day. The first
temple we saw was “Banteay Srey” that was made entirely by women with lots of
intricate carvings and sculptures throughout. This was about 45 minute drive past the main Angkor temples, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">through the countryside </span>where we
saw lots of “Bikes of Burden”, tractors with big loads and locals on bicycles. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqzmxhMNY98lPjQnl724ZuG1uj7frqFRHGf9fzruiKvSrSuLACX3U3YTh5dMDlYrMwAkIXGPRO2UsYQlzEOX_IsRY_u4iKprtv2TkdCXsbssdk0uH5XFQdP1sfR1EG8gfy9yW2GBUbnY/s1600/IMG_0819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqzmxhMNY98lPjQnl724ZuG1uj7frqFRHGf9fzruiKvSrSuLACX3U3YTh5dMDlYrMwAkIXGPRO2UsYQlzEOX_IsRY_u4iKprtv2TkdCXsbssdk0uH5XFQdP1sfR1EG8gfy9yW2GBUbnY/s1600/IMG_0819.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Next we went to “Ta Prohm” which has
been mostly left for the jungle to takeover with trees, vines and moss growing
out and over and through the ancient temple ruins. The “Bayon” temple has the four faces of Buddha pointing
north, east, south and west on multiple towers reaching into the sky. The actual Angkor Wat temple is surrounded by a huge moat and has prominent central towers that look more striking from across the moat in profile than up close surrounded by tourists. L</span><span style="font-size: large;">ast but not least was </span><span style="font-size: large;">Phnom Bakheng 'mountain-top' temple to view the sunset over the West Baray and distant Angkor Wat. The 360 degree panorama view was spectacular especially when a large group of monks climbed the steps to the temple terrace, but unfortunately it started pouring rain before we could see the sunset. Seeing the views before the rain and getting lots of pictures of monks at the temple made getting soaked to the bone worthwhile though. Whew, 2 days and we're all templed out!</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fri, Oct 17, 2014
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the road at 10:00 with a short drive to the Cambodian
border where we waited for 3.5 hours to get processed. We discovered that we are only allowed
to have the bikes outside of Thailand for 30 days at a time with 1,000 baht/day
($30) or 10,000 baht ($300) max penalty for overstay! Looks
like we will have to cross back into Thailand before Nov 15, which may mean
needing 2 visas (or double entry) for both Cambodia and Laos unfortunately. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hb_eAmFsxh28knySbJP1S4p8bIS_sv9BuSnNqWKxB-AXZildb0XJh4g32My2iQjzGkFWxWXlBfyFFG7OVXPw7rcrKhpfCyjz_RefzIr1Mg2eCQ7Vzp0IKYPWNWEoYRxchmS54fHpsGw/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hb_eAmFsxh28knySbJP1S4p8bIS_sv9BuSnNqWKxB-AXZildb0XJh4g32My2iQjzGkFWxWXlBfyFFG7OVXPw7rcrKhpfCyjz_RefzIr1Mg2eCQ7Vzp0IKYPWNWEoYRxchmS54fHpsGw/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" height="301" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> We waited for official scrutinization
of documents, multiple photocopies, signatures, permits, stamps and fingerprint
scans and unfortunately paid too much via a ‘service fee’ for our Cambodian
Visa. We got a veiled threat from
a Kmer Customs agent that our bikes were illegally in the country but that he
could “overlook this”…looking for a bribe? </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tOD8cY8RsNGbDisN6nSpMFWJCEFRg1HEQPog1DkWSCmw-2wdgQvNPzKKexW4oSUjHvYs4nAeC88QYG51BUGkTOVBX05PVI3JGKiJ8B6NjqtdTNscCqBU6rnGJ6U8O4eLJ5DcJQZlOGc/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tOD8cY8RsNGbDisN6nSpMFWJCEFRg1HEQPog1DkWSCmw-2wdgQvNPzKKexW4oSUjHvYs4nAeC88QYG51BUGkTOVBX05PVI3JGKiJ8B6NjqtdTNscCqBU6rnGJ6U8O4eLJ5DcJQZlOGc/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">All the while we watched the Kmer import/export trade
being pushed and pulled on towering raggedy carts stacked with manufactured
goods leaving Thailand and what looked like bundles of second-hand clothes
leaving Cambodia. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW0G8xH5zEDTM76eSbvuvRPhMot-Lox5CiROLCDTyaIGUzQeISlRzwTshhaTBxMRCYsPi6yctZA2eGJLnGsy1KfbJ3owJ4gYfyPYM2aicHX1Mu0HoP_dC__24TmsmrLb1Bd-XbcRQuQo/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW0G8xH5zEDTM76eSbvuvRPhMot-Lox5CiROLCDTyaIGUzQeISlRzwTshhaTBxMRCYsPi6yctZA2eGJLnGsy1KfbJ3owJ4gYfyPYM2aicHX1Mu0HoP_dC__24TmsmrLb1Bd-XbcRQuQo/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc9cguAc5oDzU5kQGSK-RK4-WuLtX1fQptSIl2GPLI00JWlyzd3HRdU-2CwmsX24yG2O5YN23q8YMIWOlhwhLSGQqoafiDEkrOlkmJFC5M7bAxTdnbfs297dj75e47vAQQiIhX5qj0B0/s1600/IMG_0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc9cguAc5oDzU5kQGSK-RK4-WuLtX1fQptSIl2GPLI00JWlyzd3HRdU-2CwmsX24yG2O5YN23q8YMIWOlhwhLSGQqoafiDEkrOlkmJFC5M7bAxTdnbfs297dj75e47vAQQiIhX5qj0B0/s1600/IMG_0755.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Once approved, we were on the road again for just 3 km
before it started to bucket down rain.
We sheltered and waited it out for ½ hour. Back on the road towards Siem Reap, the road surface deteriorated
quickly with random potholes that would suddenly appear like moon craters across the entire lane, occasionally marked by leafy branches in lieu of
pylons. Frequently we had to take
to the shoulder of the road to avoid oncoming overtaking vehicles that would
bear down on us 2 or 3 vehicles wide!
Saw some great “Bikes of Burden” such as hanging chickens, slaughtered
pigs, makeshift tractors towing 4 cows, family of 5…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrived in Siem Reap and eventually found the oasis of the
“Golden Banana Guesthouse” after searching potholed dirt laneways and very
nearly getting sideswiped by an impatient pick-up truck. Our welcoming host, Bora – “nearly
blossoming flower”- with refreshing drink in hand, provided just what we
needed after a long day.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Departure:
10:00</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrival: 5:00</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Driving time: 3:00 hrs</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total distance: 172 km</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Ayuthaya;">Aranyaprathet…Thai/Cambodian
border…Poi Pet…Siem Reap</span></span>
Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-70815896713419744842014-10-17T22:31:00.000-07:002014-10-18T10:43:50.627-07:00Day 3: Khao Yai National Park – Thai/Cambodian border<style>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thurs,
Oct 16, 2014
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Headed
off into Khao Yai NP just before 9:00 with first stop at Nong Pak Chee
Observation Tower. It was 1 km
walk along a path to the tower, which was beside a large watering hole and salt
lick. Apparently it is a good
place to spot wild elephants, guar, barking deer, wild dogs and monkeys.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonwkk7_5FIqbRgorVVC1u3_zwnc0P29Cra3-eGSzhuZpHTaTrujlt4q8w2Qm7Rb3Avo6YyUu-i00UwJCeO2MWyUni3Q7hzlWdAXxf8FHoFcOS66a7bM8DVU1rt46vdAEV36tH_Fzcm90/s1600/IMG_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonwkk7_5FIqbRgorVVC1u3_zwnc0P29Cra3-eGSzhuZpHTaTrujlt4q8w2Qm7Rb3Avo6YyUu-i00UwJCeO2MWyUni3Q7hzlWdAXxf8FHoFcOS66a7bM8DVU1rt46vdAEV36tH_Fzcm90/s1600/IMG_0694.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBQTbJbjlnYxLjOxp9o0yHD0vLu93oVruRXsedWs3R-clLl5MBKoIocI0FQ9mrklufUtK-CyVeLhM_bpv5Nbuqnv4XaX9Cw1FSCqiEirlbdSj0B4s1VM3wm8jnEz4GUDLi0yLuc1Mdrs/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBQTbJbjlnYxLjOxp9o0yHD0vLu93oVruRXsedWs3R-clLl5MBKoIocI0FQ9mrklufUtK-CyVeLhM_bpv5Nbuqnv4XaX9Cw1FSCqiEirlbdSj0B4s1VM3wm8jnEz4GUDLi0yLuc1Mdrs/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We heard a lot of noise from the
jungle, which we thought were birds and </span>monkeys, and just up the
road at the Visitors Centre we saw a family of deer when we stopped for
coffee. Twice we stopped at the side of the
road to get pics of macaques, which looked like they were waiting to be
fed by
passing cars. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyZlIWWTpleKkVdZ-mt5FxRREsruWTQOJyVYWw5Pqj3hyDv10JkK6KB2FjX1WrA9PmAR0BWihuKOYSBu2xeK_eaXXBno9RR2uQuvfZwpND2cCyhaqlO4ljqb6x20lit61ZvDptlMxVEE/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyZlIWWTpleKkVdZ-mt5FxRREsruWTQOJyVYWw5Pqj3hyDv10JkK6KB2FjX1WrA9PmAR0BWihuKOYSBu2xeK_eaXXBno9RR2uQuvfZwpND2cCyhaqlO4ljqb6x20lit61ZvDptlMxVEE/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYA2sEb_IuTyNwtIKSoWv3u6-deuEGFOitDZy2g2fauCa_m5Tsa2m3BQcrz3Q-jW2XFPd4cbpN_ad7cgZ2Vox8QL7q2R6OXdWtmxVmLO7DrVLvMFQDAIeDrRaq5yN27sFTFvXqwMehVo/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYA2sEb_IuTyNwtIKSoWv3u6-deuEGFOitDZy2g2fauCa_m5Tsa2m3BQcrz3Q-jW2XFPd4cbpN_ad7cgZ2Vox8QL7q2R6OXdWtmxVmLO7DrVLvMFQDAIeDrRaq5yN27sFTFvXqwMehVo/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C85hcXC_CErDosA7IlwqqKTmNsTElGGLDW5LaZ8s6MlmhyhZ1PU8AKlHhzAEUHrHKJsAHDqgcTobBd7zLaQ4BoMjYl3Tj6rjWk7elx8N4PywkHWaFbyfiLAyEB1YY-FlWk155L22NFo/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C85hcXC_CErDosA7IlwqqKTmNsTElGGLDW5LaZ8s6MlmhyhZ1PU8AKlHhzAEUHrHKJsAHDqgcTobBd7zLaQ4BoMjYl3Tj6rjWk7elx8N4PywkHWaFbyfiLAyEB1YY-FlWk155L22NFo/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last stop was
at </span>Namtok Haew Narok (waterfall).
We walked down 1km to a viewpoint of the 150m, 3-tier waterfall – worth
all those stairs! Back at the top
we saw a small snake beside us when we stopped for a drink.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye0JKiLkxAbjHBKTFcLoXU4IrajZw-CmXeHtcLO4zUwZshvhjsYYstbuTVUQJsN5zif9pwdzSFKkhu_kCr-a9otKiLaSNN-Ytc9FudotxPoBI-2m4uuDU9AQhMEZU8AeBQIdvpJrZqiQ/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye0JKiLkxAbjHBKTFcLoXU4IrajZw-CmXeHtcLO4zUwZshvhjsYYstbuTVUQJsN5zif9pwdzSFKkhu_kCr-a9otKiLaSNN-Ytc9FudotxPoBI-2m4uuDU9AQhMEZU8AeBQIdvpJrZqiQ/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoYfwlA5e8SHPhNFMwKXyTbdMgbKCxk6DvnHflZFFfhNoxeNA9pkz6OeO_iDhgw6hL6R2NofD8VFiukhPNMZ-EnlmMpLcF1Qxqdb9gctkD1bTZJHpoTP4l_PFRm4GXL9Yr4js_xCqTHE/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoYfwlA5e8SHPhNFMwKXyTbdMgbKCxk6DvnHflZFFfhNoxeNA9pkz6OeO_iDhgw6hL6R2NofD8VFiukhPNMZ-EnlmMpLcF1Qxqdb9gctkD1bTZJHpoTP4l_PFRm4GXL9Yr4js_xCqTHE/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
was</span> beautiful roads through the park with great, scenic views and endless
gentle curves. To counter that,
once we got out on Hwy#33, it was dead straight and flat – but quick to our end
point at ‘Aranyaprathet’ – right at the Cambodian border. We are staying at “Le Blocs” tonight,
which is a grouping of individual shipping container rooms in a funky, garden
setting. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Departure:
9:00</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrived: 3:00</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total driving:
2:30 hrs</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total
distance: 208 km</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Khao Yai NP…Prachin Buri…Sa Kaeo…Aranyaprathet</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wed,
Oct 15, 2014
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Delayed
departure this morning as we thought we saw a sheepskin in the window of the
Western Shop – known amongst bikers as great seat padding for long distance
journeys. Unfortunately, when the
shop opened it turned out to be deerskin instead. Left at 10:45 and soon turned south off #12 to avoid the
construction. Nice, twisty scenic
roads with rollercoaster hills until a stretch of potholed dirt roads slowed us
down. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MmJXTB2N-IechdsDVymMISY8t9b8XxLNnWWhcvj1oFKFlJr6xHjAfYSDInPpru-tutXtwIV0vp_ZyPmpQvEtG99ngWC_cNJX_yOXrkgDhHbX3vad9Danhk_68t9irV8kTxROXjaLbos/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MmJXTB2N-IechdsDVymMISY8t9b8XxLNnWWhcvj1oFKFlJr6xHjAfYSDInPpru-tutXtwIV0vp_ZyPmpQvEtG99ngWC_cNJX_yOXrkgDhHbX3vad9Danhk_68t9irV8kTxROXjaLbos/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Along
the road today we saw many Thai tractors – makeshift farm vehicles pulling all
sorts of loads: trees, sacks of rice, farm animals, passengers… After these back roads it
was fairly uneventful on #21 south – soup stop for lunch. We then took smaller roads again from
Chai Badan, through Pak Chong and landed just outside Khao Yai National Park at
the “Khao Yai Cowboy Resort”. Not
going for a cowboy theme…but if the boot fits…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyuCQemv_Xmv9U-mQ6Iofio_yaYaO4Yp9wdcKMPoIpFC0lSdb169EdtcOE5qewmrq1eujLGbSBVxclCux6mkNTi4WIBPum4Y4cEoZs1oeWo64jEHSBs0aV5otL9qtagEI3H6zvAy0hlw/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyuCQemv_Xmv9U-mQ6Iofio_yaYaO4Yp9wdcKMPoIpFC0lSdb169EdtcOE5qewmrq1eujLGbSBVxclCux6mkNTi4WIBPum4Y4cEoZs1oeWo64jEHSBs0aV5otL9qtagEI3H6zvAy0hlw/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXjAEtDNmNJVIWeakZnY4As0mRnrVyLnsBjPVaNEdGAeP3oYR3jPKbZ9DThyRZY36jjj_7zZ5JM5DPdadiqabL12APcF5Xd2JQTwqdmQKrHgybSNScScE6SGg1XpXdG4_lXq2rbfKCG4/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXjAEtDNmNJVIWeakZnY4As0mRnrVyLnsBjPVaNEdGAeP3oYR3jPKbZ9DThyRZY36jjj_7zZ5JM5DPdadiqabL12APcF5Xd2JQTwqdmQKrHgybSNScScE6SGg1XpXdG4_lXq2rbfKCG4/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-9W83bm-p8Hy4o2p8N4F_fYTs1tclRnMEmEcSE5zKE2xf2yLteldhn8gP2_hkw2422HYOMBNxjtXSeuaaY2bCxFIMT9QRny2605O89Sk-UNflx5cyacw2ij6xYLkufFKT5hdwB4L1iM/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-9W83bm-p8Hy4o2p8N4F_fYTs1tclRnMEmEcSE5zKE2xf2yLteldhn8gP2_hkw2422HYOMBNxjtXSeuaaY2bCxFIMT9QRny2605O89Sk-UNflx5cyacw2ij6xYLkufFKT5hdwB4L1iM/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Departure: 10:45</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrived:
4:30</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total
breaks: 1 hr</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total driving: 4:45 hrs</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total
distance: 321 km</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Khaem Son…Khao Kho…Petchabun…Chai Badan…Pak Chong…Khao Yai
National Park</span></div>
<br />Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676918842956918619.post-73194077114943648182014-10-17T21:21:00.001-07:002014-10-20T18:47:04.366-07:00Day 1: Chiang Mai – Khaem Son <style>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tues,
Oct 14, 2014</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0IZKoKZIPPnzA2lxilMVb7iKYYjns5ChCCE6eSrJWzJQRkHGaLIx2LKsbqf6VAso99oDlKlbAkE0v7UeQVXWO_2VkJMSsYsx5VBIz3iG1KNCk3x2ve23n_kBO7Vrds1J0BlD0sQpUC0/s1600/Bike+Gang+CM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0IZKoKZIPPnzA2lxilMVb7iKYYjns5ChCCE6eSrJWzJQRkHGaLIx2LKsbqf6VAso99oDlKlbAkE0v7UeQVXWO_2VkJMSsYsx5VBIz3iG1KNCk3x2ve23n_kBO7Vrds1J0BlD0sQpUC0/s1600/Bike+Gang+CM.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Left
house in Chiang Mai @ 9:30 with friends, Brian and Oliver, after a motorcycle
photo shoot. Glad that the orange cat who snuck in the front door while
we were loading the bikes was not locked inside our house for 2 months!
Coffee breaks in Lampang and Den Chai where Brian and Oliver's escort ended and
they looped back to Chiang Mai. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KxrlknwYnd3ijH_C9f3C55LRcRUv1bAdtKdjrTCPDYyrwezfECY_G8rp1PBMB34jVOfTWG1V9jZ3PM-5Gjp29JhP3HvKvEWUGHuatyyTsFPuufq7-WJnLlMTJaPuRgsSQKDIKwIhKHk/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KxrlknwYnd3ijH_C9f3C55LRcRUv1bAdtKdjrTCPDYyrwezfECY_G8rp1PBMB34jVOfTWG1V9jZ3PM-5Gjp29JhP3HvKvEWUGHuatyyTsFPuufq7-WJnLlMTJaPuRgsSQKDIKwIhKHk/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" height="137" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At Uttaradit and again in Nakhon Thai we
decided to keep going down to Hwy#12 to find a place for the night. When
we got to #12 it was complete construction mayhem and a dusty dirt road which
slowed us down a bit. We found "Motel 12" at the side of the
Hwy with the best views yet out the back. A surreal dude ranch - a
3-legged horse with a prosthetic leg, sheep, a "Western Shop", and a
restaurant sign boasting "Steak, Salad, Food and Spaghetti" (in that
order). Great dinner and a room with a view. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGckhi9BSRK8R9Sg_IcTCvWNodtfwU_BaoP83XBo-kwWiyeJACCJ3exENS1lMK-gXIVfdeuOL3X4YMgX8-hLiMKkGuDa_Pr5Xw9eDZwrHaje9iDtNKQXbR5PvSM-qu4XNM4YBKFQrJ72k/s1600/IMG_0660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGckhi9BSRK8R9Sg_IcTCvWNodtfwU_BaoP83XBo-kwWiyeJACCJ3exENS1lMK-gXIVfdeuOL3X4YMgX8-hLiMKkGuDa_Pr5Xw9eDZwrHaje9iDtNKQXbR5PvSM-qu4XNM4YBKFQrJ72k/s1600/IMG_0660.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-NBgorDL5VZVDYDsmBe_NZGyluPFnJaxVelxbMfuqAzCF5ZwDWfM7jykWAWFiTrarqZIcm_-XbmrGP712Bde2SfdeN73N0hyphenhyphendGG6CF-Rt7lGVcp-44FX36VSK3meDh0Xh2vGK-FJ8_c/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-NBgorDL5VZVDYDsmBe_NZGyluPFnJaxVelxbMfuqAzCF5ZwDWfM7jykWAWFiTrarqZIcm_-XbmrGP712Bde2SfdeN73N0hyphenhyphendGG6CF-Rt7lGVcp-44FX36VSK3meDh0Xh2vGK-FJ8_c/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" height="320" width="257" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Departure: 9:30</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrived:
5:30</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total
breaks: 1:30 hrs</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total driving: 6:30 hrs</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Total
distance: 443km</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chiang Mai...Lampang...Uttaradit...Nakhon Thai...Khaem Son</span></div>
<br />Mekong Motorcycle Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12034117782815352648noreply@blogger.com0