Thailand, Myanmar and Lao PDR - Touring with a difference

Just back yesterdy from my cycling trip to the abovementioned countries. Due to time constrain, besides cycling I also travelled on a train, boat, and also a minivan. I'll post a few pictures here and also pen a few words for the time being as I recuperate from my trip. I'll keep this blog updated regularly.

16th December 2010 - Butterworth Railway Station

All set ready to go! At the Butterworth Railway Station waiting for the Butterworth - Bangkok Express. My bike in the the black bag.

After a long wait the Bangkok Express finally arrived.

I'm seated in Car No.9

The seats are converted into bunk beds and my bag secured to the steel ladder.

I'm on the upper bunk getting ready to sleep. The black strap on the far left and right prevents one from rolling off the bed.

23rd December 2101 - Tachilaek, Myanmar

Just remember to keep to the right side of the road. It's left hand drive for all vehicles in Myanmar, Lao PDR, China, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Le me quote the words of the Myanmar immigration officer "Your passport sleep here (He means that the Immigration Office keeps your passport and in return issues you an entry permit). You must not loose this permit and you have 14 days stay and can only travel within Tachilaek. When you return, you collect passport from that house (What he meant is you are issued a 14 day visa and whatever it is don't ever loose that permit because you need to retreive your passport when you leave from the Immigration office over there.)

On the bridge looking back at Tachilaek, Myanmar from Mae Sai, Thailand.

24th December 2010 - Slow boat to Luang Prabang from Huay Xai via Pak Beng, Lao PDR

Bicycles goes on the roof of the slow boat.

Slow boat line the jetty at Huay Xai, Lao PDR.

Beautiful sunset as the boat approaches the little village of Pak Beng along the Mekong River, the first leg of my journey on this slow boat to Luang Prabang.

The village of Pak Beng

25th December 2010 - Pak Beng/Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Pak Beng in the morning with the jetty on the right.

Another sunset picture this time as the slow boat comes closer to Luang Prabang.

26th December 2010 - Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

The locals going about their daily lives in one of the side road market.

The main street in Luang Prabang in the early morning. This place comes alive with tourist an hour later.

One of the many guesthouses you'll find all over Luang Prabang.

Had breakfast here as it seems to be very popular with tourist. Maybe her pretty face helps her sales.....;-)

Phonsavan town

There are many hotels and guesthouses to choose from.

UXO - Unexploded Ordnance

It's estimated that as much as 2 million tons of bombs were dropped in Lao PDR by the USA during the Vietnam Era!

Cluster bombs

It's this unexploded bombs that pose a constant danger to the people. Children often pick it up and play with it unknowing the danger.

Plain of Jars in Phonsavan, Lao PDR

Look at the size of those jars. Nobody knows who made them and why. I'm wearing a wind breaker as the north wind from Yunan, China is still very cold.

31st December 2010 - Vang Vieng, Lao PDR

Stayed here in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng on New Year's eve

Vang Vieng to Viang Chan (Vientiane)

So serene

No, I think it would be a joke to eat here....

2rd January 2011 - Vientiane, Lao PDR

The iconic monument in Vientiane (better known as Viang Chan in Laos or Thailand) which is modelled to look a little bit like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Malaysian Embassy in Lao PDR

With Puan Norzaida,  Third Secretary, Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Lao PDR

5th January 2011 - Friendship Bridge, Lao PDR/Nong Khai, Thailand

Nong Khai, Thailand

The number looks daunting!!

All this for THB250/- per night in Udon Thani

This stall served the best chicken rice I've ever tasted in Thailand!

Yumm......!!

No, I didn't try having crickets for breakfast!

Prasat Phimai in Phimai Historical Park

According to historians, Prasat Phimai's architecture has a direct influence on the design of Angkor Wat.

Yes, it's finally getting nearer.....

But wait..... I'm not leaving Thailand without a visit to Ayutthaya!! Afterall it's only another 55Km to Saraburi and a little further I'll make a turn off to Ayutthaya..

So many places to visit and so little time.....sigh! From here I took a left turn towards Ayutthaya

See what I told you...23Km isn't that far.....

23Km to Ayutthaya isn't that bad??

My hotel in Ayutthaya on the outskirts of town.

A little old but quite large room, air-con and a TV all for THB370/- per night. The going price in Ayutthaya town centre is THB500/- onwards.

With bathroom attached

12th January 2011 - Bangkok

Finally made it to Bangkok Metropolitan, but the battle is not over yet. I have to face the horrendous traffic to get to my hotel which is just opposite the Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

Victory Monument in the background.

Station Hotel where I stayed in Bangkok. It's situated just opposite Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok where all the country's railway terminate.