Saturday 14 December 2019

Route Info – Northern Laos

This post is part of the Route-Info series continuation from :

1. Route Info - Road Trip Southeren Thailand from Hat Yai to Arayanprathet 


2. Route Info – Road Trip Cambodia

3. Route Info – Thailand Part 2 Going from Central to Northern Thailand

From Thailand last stop at Chiang Khong, I enter into Laos to Huay Xai and from there on this is the riding route I took going south through the northern parts of Laos before exiting at Vientiane and re-entering Thailand to explore the region of Isaan.

(Entry From Thailand) Chiang Khong -> Huay Xai -> Luang Namtha -> Muang Xai -> Nong Khiaw -> Luang Prabang -> Phou Khoun -> Vang Vieng -> Vientiane -> Nong Khai (Exit into Isaan Thailand) 



Route Info - Northern Laos 
Things of Interest along the route :

Huay Xai – Luang Namtha

Huay Xai to Luang Namtha was one of the more peaceful ride up and down the mountainous terrain through really rural countryside of Laos. Village are scattered far apart with no electricity or piped water. Riding slow watching the locals gathering all kinds of forestry produce walking slowly along the side of the road makes one appreciate how simple life can be.

A light tap on the horns giving the beep beep hello to the kids as I ride pass the villages was always returned with a smile and waving hands and by evening one could see the whole village gathering around the one source of bamboo piped water from the mountain to have a bath. Girls delicately covered in their sarongs while the kids runs free playing with water.

The Border Towns of Lao – China

I did two day trip detours to the border of Lao – China just for fun partly wondering if I would be able to sneak Bluey into China and also hoping there was some sort of signpost saying Border of Lao-China which I could take a photo with Bluey.

The Pang Hai Border crossing passes through the countryside of Muang Sing village which is shaped like a natural broken rice bowl. The city sits in a very flat plateau fully farmed with paddy fields, sugarcane, corn, etc but towards the horizon one could see the village was fully encircled by sharp jagged mountainous barrier.

The Boten Border Crossing is the main heart-line between Lao-China and heavily used by trucks transporting all kinds of agricultural produce from Lao to China and in return construction materials are brought in from China to Lao.

Muang Xai – Nong Khiaw

Muang Xai, Muang Xay or Oudomxay all means the same city which is the largest city in northern Laos. Large is always relative in Laos and for someone who grew up in KL-Malaysia, it felt more like a forgotten town than a city. Still the signs are there of a city, as indicative of the presence of industries not reliant on farming or tourism.

Nong Khiaw however is another favorite of mine. This small town with beautiful jagged limestone mountain plunging straight into the Nam Ou river is a sight to see plus with the little shacks of retreats blending into the river and forest scene was a great place just to chill back and relax watch the river run by.

UNESCO HERITAGE – Luang Prabang

There is so many things to say about Luang Prabang, but I’ll leave it as just a UNESCO Heritage city in Laos. The only one in fact so its a must stop for any first time visit to Laos.

Phou Khoun

The hidden gem. The roads are challenging climbing up the mountain but totally worth the priceless view. Find the local strawberry farms / campgrounds to experience an amazing sunset over sharp rocky mountain landscape which looks like a picture from a magical fantasy world.

Vang Vieng


The backpacker town of Laos. Good place to re-supply.

Vientiane

The quint capital of Laos .... nuff said ... :)


Traveled On : Jan 2019
#overlandinglaos #motorbikinglaos #routeinfo #laos #motorpackerasia #blurtravels

Monday 9 December 2019

Visiting Temples in Chiang Rai

I wonder could i skip writing about Chiang Rai. I did not really do much here but visit temples after temples after temples.

White temple, blue temple, black temple, big Buddha statue temple. I did an average of three things a day which took maybe 4 hours and called it a day going back to the hostel for rest. Fatigue was really getting to me after running a fast pace from the Mae Hong Son Loop to Doi Angkang and up to Doi Mae Salong loop. 



Wat Rong Khun - White Temple - Chiang Rai 


Wat Rong Khun - White Temple - Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun - White Temple - Chiang Rai 

Chiang Rai was one place where I felt it was the time to slow down a bit before hitting the next leg in Laos. I wonder how some of the tour buses just shuttle all the tourist from one temple to another making the day trip seamed like a photo-shoot or joystick planting obligation instead of immersing into the thousands of hours that the craftsman put into slowly fine tuning every details that were in the temples. 

Wat Huey Pla Kang - Chiang Rai

Wat Huey Pla Kang - Chiang Rai 

Wat Huey Pla Kang - Chiang Rai 

Wat Rong Suea Ten - Blue Temple - Chiang Rai 

Wat Rong Suea Ten - Blue Temple - Chiang Rai 

Wat Rong Suea Ten - Blue Temple - Chiang Rai 

Black House - Chiang Rai 

Black House - Chiang Rai 
Night time was another chaos in Chiang Rai. I was lucky enough to be there during the weekend to catch the famous local night market every Saturday which ran a few kilometers long. They sold everything and anything they could think off and the walk was definitely more interesting than the permanent tourist night bazaar which was full of souvenir trinkets.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Souvenir at Chiang Rai Night Bazaar 

Mural at Chiang Rai Bus Station 
Traveled on: Jan 2019