Vilabury to Savannakhet.
A Laos motorcycle ride with toll bridges and the French connection.
The way. Vilabury to Savannakhet on hwy 10.
I rode to vilabury from Savannakhet the day before on hwy 9E and 28A. Hwy 9E from Xeng to Nabo is a tar road that’s full of pot holes and road works. It’s the pits.
After an exciting night in the thriving metropolis of Vilabury, where the population is all tucked in by 7.30, it was time to head back to Savannakhet.
Main street Vilabury at 8.30am, blue sky’s in the distance.
Top up the camel bak with water, and a can of sponsor to give it some taste before heading west.
The first bridge just out of town.
Nice riding along here.
Even better through here.
Plenty of variation in track conditions.
First toll bridge for the day.
The gate keeper, whom you pay the 5000 kip toll fee.
Once over the bridge, there’s a smaller one that you can cross free of charge.
These bridges are works of art.
A little further down the track is toll bridge number two. Note what is left of a sizable bridge to the right of the toll bridge.
Looking back after crossing bridge which cost another 5000 kip.
Three future toll operators cooling off at a river crossing.
Its funny how some kids react when they see you. This little girl had the “what the” look.
Technology Lao style.
Toll number three. This one was an elevated hwy, and in the wet season no one’s going anywhere without out it.
The guys in this pick up where not impressed with the 5000 kip fee, but they had no choice.
The photo doesn’t show just how big the hole on the dirt track to the right is. I think the toll operators may have been out with the shovels in the middle of the night so as to keep the till ringing a little faster. No problem on a bike, but no go in a car.
After the third and final toll, the track condition improves.
I turned off the track to check out the river crossing where the KLX and its rider ended up in the drink. The river has a lot more water in it now, as well as some bigger boats which would have been handy a few months earlier.
Thakhek - Vilabury - Thakhek Loop.
Crossing the river here will take you to Thakhek the back way.
Back on hwy 10 and another classic Lao style bridge.
Arriving back in Savannakhet I was greeted by the Dinosaurs (not real) at the big round about.
And then down to the Mekong for a cool drink while looking across to Mukdahan.
The next day I was lucky to meet up with Jerome, (Frenchman and Gt-rider) and he, along with Matthew and he’s delightful girlfriend went for lunch just out of Savannakhet.
Nice spot on a lake for food and beers.
Jerome and he’s African Twin. It was the ATs first day out after major works.
Moto-Rex
A Laos motorcycle ride with toll bridges and the French connection.
The way. Vilabury to Savannakhet on hwy 10.
I rode to vilabury from Savannakhet the day before on hwy 9E and 28A. Hwy 9E from Xeng to Nabo is a tar road that’s full of pot holes and road works. It’s the pits.
After an exciting night in the thriving metropolis of Vilabury, where the population is all tucked in by 7.30, it was time to head back to Savannakhet.
Main street Vilabury at 8.30am, blue sky’s in the distance.
Top up the camel bak with water, and a can of sponsor to give it some taste before heading west.
The first bridge just out of town.
Nice riding along here.
Even better through here.
Plenty of variation in track conditions.
First toll bridge for the day.
The gate keeper, whom you pay the 5000 kip toll fee.
Once over the bridge, there’s a smaller one that you can cross free of charge.
These bridges are works of art.
A little further down the track is toll bridge number two. Note what is left of a sizable bridge to the right of the toll bridge.
Looking back after crossing bridge which cost another 5000 kip.
Three future toll operators cooling off at a river crossing.
Its funny how some kids react when they see you. This little girl had the “what the” look.
Technology Lao style.
Toll number three. This one was an elevated hwy, and in the wet season no one’s going anywhere without out it.
The guys in this pick up where not impressed with the 5000 kip fee, but they had no choice.
The photo doesn’t show just how big the hole on the dirt track to the right is. I think the toll operators may have been out with the shovels in the middle of the night so as to keep the till ringing a little faster. No problem on a bike, but no go in a car.
After the third and final toll, the track condition improves.
I turned off the track to check out the river crossing where the KLX and its rider ended up in the drink. The river has a lot more water in it now, as well as some bigger boats which would have been handy a few months earlier.
Thakhek - Vilabury - Thakhek Loop.
Crossing the river here will take you to Thakhek the back way.
Back on hwy 10 and another classic Lao style bridge.
Arriving back in Savannakhet I was greeted by the Dinosaurs (not real) at the big round about.
And then down to the Mekong for a cool drink while looking across to Mukdahan.
The next day I was lucky to meet up with Jerome, (Frenchman and Gt-rider) and he, along with Matthew and he’s delightful girlfriend went for lunch just out of Savannakhet.
Nice spot on a lake for food and beers.
Jerome and he’s African Twin. It was the ATs first day out after major works.
Moto-Rex
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