Ma leabt oamol only!
My sister Babs told me about a year ago, a T-shirt given, with the imprint: Ma leabt oamol only! What has she meant by that?
Anyway, somewhere in late June I had my guesthouse in Sihanoukville (Cambodia), the "Ocean Pearl" made tight. With a laughing and a crying, half I have given back to the previous tenant. The rent was just too high, and tourists were not there. Pay for everything out of pocket is not going to like me. Well, suddenly: no job, no house, no job, no job ....! Rent a room with my buddy, no problem, but what you do with that much free time. ... Beer drinking. Of course! That was me then after a few days too boring. ROUGH me at Bude, the T-shirt fell into the hands of Ma leabt oamol only! That gave me the jerk! Scooter saddle and down into Laos. Because I always wanted to and now I have time. So my sister Babs and me for the better: the Laos tour, "Ma leabt oamol only!"
Day 1 Sihanouk Ville - Phnom Penh, 240 km,
100x already gone, nothing exciting. For all who do not know: The road is good, lots of cows and dogs and just Cambodianer Wasserbueffel well on the way, know all the traffic on only one rule: Rebirth! So for all to think and it's fine. Weather was more or less well, so no problem. First night in the Hotel Lux. Incredibly cheap hotel directly on the riverside. 30th of complete luxury for USD - simply recommended. Well, from now on, we go down well.
Second Phnom Penh - Stung Treng 450 km
already gone a few times, not much exciting. Re: for all who know it not: The first 70 km out of PP, a pile of traffic, many sites and just re-birth as the only known and perceived traffic rule. Then it goes well. About 30 km to Kompong Cham, about the great Mekong River Bridge is an abbreviation for Kratie, since you would save for an hour ride. Since it started of course directly to Kompong Cham raining and visibility was nil, I missed this downhill course, and drove around the outside. Maybe it was good. Since by man departs Memot and then through the whole rubber plantations, the road is fantastic and the views as well. A fresh breeze is blowing, as long as you drive through the forest. Super stretch. From Kratie to Stung Treng, the road is now also very good, although the first 50 km after the junction are very many sites that are characterized by Cambodianischer way simply by the fact that some branches are on the road ... ... .. and behind each branch is a deep hole, so be careful and you do it. Second night: check in at the Riverside Cafe in Stung Treng. Province House by $ 5 - what man can expect so. But it's ok. The rooms are clean, unfortunately, no hot shower, but the moped parked over night in the pub, then this is ever an advantage.
Day 3 Stung Treng - Pakse Approximately 220 km, including crossing the border
From Stung Treng to the border, no problem, super street, beautiful landscape, everything from the best. Upon departure from Cambodia all goes pretty fast. Helps my multiple entry business visas and it is no problem. Since I have yet to Customs office to tell me to take my motorcycle to get back to Laos and then of course would like to again. The officer asks me very politely to USD 10-5.-I offer and he is very friendly, then he gets to enjoy all of USD 7.50. Let's go to Laos. Customs formalities are not a problem, I had gotten my visa before in PP, at the Lao embassy. Valid for 2 months, but only 30 days from entry to exit. Wonderful, we go the journey. About 2 km after the border comes, the Lao Customs office, ran right and into the office and a very friendly officer takes care of me and my motorcycle. "Ah, You want to stay in Laos for 7 days ... I ..!?!" looking aghast in a bit and ask what he meant by" seven days "means. He points to my custom paper Cambodianisches what is written very clearly that the departure of 18 of my motorcycle July to 25 July is reported. I take my paper again, back to Lao departure, each maker available that explain a problem here. Over the border into Cambodia, explain again the same for everyone, all smiles ... .... Clean the Customs officer. Issue new paper at one month. Once again, pay USD 2.50. Now he has the 10th-he wanted from the beginning and I have my papers, so everyone is happy, and I'm back on the road .... The second time over the border into Laos. When Lao Customs office all already know me and greet me very friendly. Everything is labeled, a small Trikgeld for the officer, who has so kindly made me aware that I should be back in 7 days out is due and all are happy and ready to go to the first destination in Laos. The Mekong waterfalls are about 5 km after the border, and I have to watch this spectacle to me absolutely. Schoen, because water runs down a bunch of the creek and made a huge noise.
Last View of Stung Treng, over the bridge, it then goes on to Laos
First street sign in Lao language
Mekong River Falls, shortly after the border in Laos
Next stop: The 4000 islands in the Mekong. About 25 km from the border. I drive up to the boat dock and inquire about the possibilities out there to bring me and my bike on the largest of the islands. I will vogefuehrt a construction vobei two canoes were nailed together, with a few bars in between and I am assured, that since my Harley 250 kg, 50 kg my luggage and I fit on it with my 100 kg loose. Since I am just beginning my journey there, I've decided my bike is not the same in the Mekong sink. I decline with thanks and go on to Pakse. If I had to bury all of my belongings in the Mekong, then please at the end of my trip, I had at least as far from it. Since I will indeed come back on the same track, I move later on this adventure. Absolute to Pakse, super street, no problem. Check-in ... .. Guest House, the name I have unfortunately forgotten. 12.-Relative USD clean, no problem. For dinner, heading into Pakse Hotel. The local beef steak, as tough as in Cambodia, the Lao beer is cheaper in Cambodia. 1.50 The can is enough, but what the heck: Ma leabt oamol only! At dinner I met a Swiss couple who are traveling with a tandem bike. They have brought more or less behind Laos and Cambodia are on the way. We share experiences and give each other important tips. The roads are exchanged cards and the first time I see on a map where I am. Great.
Day 4 Pakse - Savannakhet (about 400km)
Since I now own a road map, of course I'm brave and do not take the straight road (Highway No. 13) but I'm about to Pakxong Saravan and then later at Napong push back on the Highway No. 13 and then to go to Savannaketh . All in all, about 400 km and the roads are marked in red on my map, which for me looks good. Everything starts wonderfully. The road from Pakse to Pakxong is fantastic. With many curves it meanders up the mountain. To reach the plateau where much of the famous Lao coffee is grown. Continue on a fantastic road downhill to Saravan. Through beautiful wood and bamboo villages, past the local markets where things are offered, although I would never eat but it is interesting to look at the whole. Wonderfully.
Small waterfall and bamboo bridge on our way to Pakxong
Thank God, I have with my moped is not over this bridge, there are a few yards downriver one other, a little more trustworthiness metal and wood construction.
Shortly before Saravan left and find the way to Napong. No problem, the diversion is there, but unfortunately no more road. Since so on a dirt road leads. I've changed my mind imagined. I must have gone completely wrong. After a long wandering in the town I find a tourist office to provide information. Pure and surprise here is very good spoken English. I ask about the proper way to Napong, get my information, I think exactly the statement and I am exactly 2 hours later, again on the same path that I wanted the first time do not already. That must be so well yet. Since this road on my map so thick as "Red" is drawn, then surely that can only be half as bad, I guess, and there you go. Tank full of the best and hope that this road must surely be better after a few miles, finally, it is indeed to Highway No 15 Which was unfortunately not so. It remains one of clay and mud road. The entire 80 km to Napong, a nightmare for drivers and motorbike. On a dirt bike, it sure would be great fun was, with a fully loaded Harley I would now recommend that anyone actually more.
Highway No. 15!
Dust and goats! ... And me.
Since I was not sure but then if I'm on the right road, I would have liked to ask someone, but it was difficult ziehmlich!
Well done, I have to go in there again Napong on Highway No. 13 and everything is fine again. A sharp rain showers forced me to insert a 2 beery break, what do I cope easily and continues to Savannakhet. The first Guest House I think: Phonevilay Hotel and Resort Riverside or something similar. USD 7.50 for a room with A / C, hot shower, fridge full of beer and TV ... I suppose. Check writing this report here and now I make my first time to search food. See you later.
Phonevilay Guest House in Savanaketh
Day 5 In Savannaketh: 45 km through the village
Gas station seek, to find the right motor oil, oil change, tighten all screws (Harley riders probably know what I mean). Otherwise, mainly in the afternoon lazing and yet I look at the dinosaur museum. The whole is a bit exaggerated betittelt as a museum, for that is just a room with a few bones, but still: I've never seen a dinosaur bone from the neighborhood and the things are really big ziehmlich. In addition, I was never even really aware that these critters are rumgelatscht in Asia, otherwise the man is actually only hears always from America ... (I did anyway, but as you can see just how little man knows.)
Large bone in Savannaketh's Dinosaur Museum
Day 6 Savannaketh - Vientiane Approximately 500 km over Tahkek
The route leads me along the highway mainly 13th In Tahkek a quick trip to the Great Wall. I'm not quite sure whether this is simply a piece of rock that rises like a giant wall because of the ground or whether this thing was really built as a wall. I do not know looks are important in any case. I just had to climb up there. However, it is also to recommend this trip if not necessarily the means of transportation is a big motorcycle. I think my Sporty now believes that she has 4-wheel drive, as I so by cucumber's terrain. But so far everything has worked out and the scooter is still in one piece. Thank God!
"Great Wall" in Tahkek and my "SUV"!
Scrambling up was of course a must!
Afterwards we returned to the highway 13 and down to Vientiane. Annscheinend I have the luck that I briefly before it ever reach a target starts to rain. So, my driveway in Vientiane again "watschelnass" and thus is of course the search for suitable accommodation more urgent. Previously I always had luck, but this time really bad. The rooms in this Guesthouse Syri 2 is really the bottom just bearable. When you move I had to empty the dustbins, old smelly socks were still in there because of my predecessors. The mattress is rock hard and sucking out the bed. The bathroom is ziehmlich dingy and moldy, so shower with slippers. Each tap is dripping, etc. Not highly recommended and for 90.000Kip (just over $ 11 -) not exactly the cheapest in the area. All in all, a $ 3 flophouse, but heck, I'm totally wet from head to toe, it's getting dark and I'm ready ziehmlich. So one bite the bullet, tomorrow you go back even further, one night is to survive.
Day 7
7:00 waking up early and great anticipation for the onward journey. Since my room has no window, I must first see to the other side of the building at times like the weather is so I know what I want to attract. .... The pouring rain. No further journey in sight and in this weather I do not want to look out to me another room. So, again purely in my bunk and a bit hard to read. By 10 clock is the next weather control. So nothing again another night in Vientiane. Vientiane is actually the capital of Laos, and man would imagine that something is going on here .... Is not. Apart from temples and monks here are just a lot of tourists admire the old half-way houses and incurred all agree that this is beautiful. The whole Mekong River front is a construction site and for the largest part is the view of the river and behind Thailand blocked by a blue-plate fence. We were indeed in Phnom Penh last year, and what came out it was hardly worth the wait. When you walk through the city, please always on the road, one wrong step and you are already standing in a pile of dog Ash ... e. .. By day, although there are plenty of pubs, touting its good food, great atmosphere and Wifi, but unfortunately, almost nothing is open. Here it is as if each would have to look at temples throughout the day. Life begins at 8:00 in the evening and listens on at 11.45. The opening hours of most pubs is from 18.00 to 11.30. Incredibly, and in the capital. At midnight, the sidewalks are lifted up, all bars, restaurants, etc., nailed and barred and all is dark as in the Middle Ages. Nightlife in Vientiane: I have not found anything good about it but certainly is in the Lonely Planet. Probably I need to still buy one backpacker bible.
More or less by accident I stumbled today into the "Full Moon Café." This is from a side street from the Riverfront. Reasonably good food and wifi available. Here, I can hit me in the afternoon around the ears. Since this café is one of the few that seem to be open during the day, it has to go here quite busy. Restaurant and terrace are occupied all the time about full. The waiters are very friendly and the beer is chilled. Now it is 15.20, and it's still raining. I hope it stops soon and I can go tomorrow.
....
The second part of my trip report will follow soon ...
Cheers and keep the rubber side down
Greetings
Werner, Lone Your Brother in Laos
Related posts:
- Harley Trip - Laos 2010 - the second part .... Tour Laos: "ma leabt only oamol" ... the second part! ... How ...
- Harley Trip - Laos 2010 - Part Three Harley Tour - Laos - 2010 Day 12 Part 3 ..
- The Lone Brothers MC, Cambodia is looking for a clubhouse Every beginning is difficult, the Lone Brothers MC, Cambodia is looking for ...
- Harley Tour 2010 - Part Four Harley Tour - Laos - 20101 - Part 4 day ...
- The future Lone Brothers Bar in Sihanoukville Here are a couple of lousy pictures of the future Lone ...
